Castine, ME to Northeast, ME

Thursday, 30 July, 2015

This morning dawned crisp and clear, and we were underway by 0600, delighted to be able to cruise back through Eggemoggin Reach, to be able to see the beautiful scenery we'd missed.

That does not mean it was easy to leave our gorgeous location, and our friends' mooring, but, we hope to return!

We cruised past Castine, and headed back up Eggemoggin Reach.  The western end of it was beautiful!

About the time we were even with Wooden Boat, we could see the impending fog bank, and thus ended our views and our photos for the next few hours.

The fog reduced visibility to a few hundred feet, making dodging all the lobster floats all the more difficult.

I called Northeast Harbormaster when I was just outside of Bear Island, asking about conditions in the harbor, and was told there wasn't any fog.  Since I was less than a half a mile awau, I was wondering if the folks ever left the office.

As I entered Northeast, I couldn't see either bank of the narrow channel.  Then, poof!  The fog was gone, and it was like entering Shangrala!  

I asked to be allowed to come to the service dock to take on water, and was told it was full.  But, they placed me on a floating dock for a night that had water on the dock!  It is pretty cool, to be tied up to a 40' floating dock, attached to an anchor, but not the shore, in the harbor, with a water spigot on it.

We took the launch into Northeast, and caught the shuttle bus into Bar Harbor.  We took the dogs with us this time, and Mocha enjoyed her first trip on a bus, and her first trip in and out of shops.  Mercy, the semi-retired service dog, showed her the ropes, including showing her how to relax on the bus.  

We met a lot of cruisers on our return bus trip, and came back to see another Nordic Tug tied on a neighboring floating dock.  George and Cynthia came by to say "hello" and we visited for awhile.

Tonight it is raining, and I hope that front may clear some fog.

Northeast Harbor, Somes Sound, to Castine, ME

Monday, 27 July 2015

This morning the fog was thick at daylight, and thicker still as the sun allegedly came up.  The group decided to wait until 0930 to head out.  The fog would rise and fall, depending on the location, and the water temperature.  We could see just often enough to believe the others when they told us what a beautiful place Maine is!

MARNICK, AFTERNOON DELIGHT, and MERCY headed around the corner into Somes Sound.  Somes Sound is supposed to be the only fjord in this area, with a narrow passage with high banks.  The fog lifted until we got to the narrow passage with high banks, then settled on the side of the hill.  We'll have to go back and see how high those banks really are!

The end of Somes Sound showed a nice mooring field, great places to kayak and explore, and nice scenery.

When we left the Sound, we went by the S/V Rebecca to wave and thank the crew for the ride last night.

Then we did a Southwest drive-by.  Southwest is the name of the town opposite Northeast.

We continued westward, hugging the coast tight, and then passed to the north of Pond Island before dropping back to the south to Journey northwest through Eggemoggin Reach. The fog lifted a little as we approached the Deer Isle Bridge.  We passed south of Cape Rosier, and then turned close to its western shore.  It was foggy, low 60's air temp, low 50's water, and people in swim suits on the beach.  I was inside, long pants and shirt, socks, and drinking hot chocolate.

We passed by Castine, where MARNICK, AFTERNOON DELIGHT, and ENCORE stopped, while R C Caislin and MERCY continued into the back of Smith's Cove, behind Sheep Island to grab a mooring a friend is letting us use for a few days.  (Thanks!)  There are eagles and seals back here, and the cove is gorgeous!

R C Caislin tied up with us, and we celebrated Ellen's birthday.  They taught Ellen and I how to play Mexican train with dominos.  What a great end to another fun day!