Cruising Maine with Friends

Bellingham, WA to Maine
Our friends, Pam and Larry, traveled from Strawberry Point in Bellingham, Washington to cruise with us in Maine. They are excited to be here!

At least Pam is excited. Larry seems a little skeptical.

We spend a couple of days exploring the shorelines, harbors, and towns on Mt. Desert Island.

We love the rocky shorelines and tide pools.

Larry makes it to the top of the hill! (actually it's only a 9' ledge)

Nora exploring.

After leaving Hinckley's Yacht Service in Southwest Harbor, we anchor just around the corner and join 4 other Nordhavns. 

Nordhavns at anchor!
76' "Tango", 62' "Grey Matter", 76' "N76", 57' "Worknot", and us 63' "Bravo".

The next morning, we depart Southwest Harbor into the fog heading for the islands of Penobscot Bay. We make a short stop and anchor in Frenchboro for lunch. We continue on to try and get in front of the fog bank. 

This is foggy! We're anchored in the entrance to Frenchboro.

Same view, but by the time we're done with our lunch, the fog starts to lift.

Carver Cove, Vinalhaven Island, ME

Our first night cruising in the islands is spent on anchor in Carver Cove on Vinalhaven Island. At first we are the only two boats (Bravo and Worknot) in a large bay. We are treated to a wonderful experience at sunset. A large schooner enters the bay under full sail and anchors off our starboard bow. 

The schooner "Heritage" gracefully sails by us, and then anchors.

Belfast, ME

The next day we head further up Penobscot Bay to Belfast, Maine. We anchor, launch the dinghy, and head into town. Belfast has a convenient dinghy dock, and lovely waterfront. Shops and restaurants line the waterfront and extend up the busy main street.

Lots of old brick buildings.

A very enticing town that you just want to explore.

A walking path follows the waterfront past docks, houseboats, and a busy working boatyard.

Walkway to the boatyard.

Feels kind of rustic!?

Window art.

We see "Summer Star", a Nordhavn 57, hauled out on stands. Gale and Karl stop and chat with the owner who has just completed a cruise on this boat from Greenland. 

Nordhavn "Summer Star" on the hard, travelled from Greenland.

The ferocious bulbous bow on Summer Star.

On to Port Clyde, ME 

The next day we head to Rockland, Maine for a brief “weather break” before continuing to tiny Port Clyde, Maine. On our last trip to Maine in 2017, we anchored at Port Clyde along with Worknot and Seafox. The cove is a secluded, classic Maine location and we wanted Pam and Larry to see it. We pass through the dreaded “lobster buoy mine field” that guards the entrance to the peaceful harbor behind Hubber Island. We anchor without incident, put the dinghy in the water and head into the tiny town.

If you zoom in on this photo, you'll see the ridiculous number of lobster pots that have to be avoided.

A typical Maine lobster boat.

The General Store, and “gas station” are the main attractions. Note the location of the gas pump. You literally “stop traffic” when you gas-up!

Front of the Port Clyde general store. One of about 4 or 5 stores here.

Not too many places that I know of, have the gas pump on the street side.

The small restaurant behind the general store has a unique tank for their live lobster.

We wander the back streets, check out the local lobster pound, and peek over the shoulders of the plein air painters capturing the iconic landscapes.

Not much to do, so this local might as well fish!

Live lobster pound.

There were three people that set up their easels and were painting.

We return to Bravo for “happy hour” and enjoy a glass of wine. The sunset from Bravo’s upper deck is spectacular.

Time for evening munchies on the aft upper deck of Bravo.

This area of the boat is Nora's favorite spot to relax.

Larry prepares to capture the sunset.

Mission accomplished! Sunset captured.

Boothbay and Linekin Harbor

The next day we pull anchor and continue south. Destination… Boothbay Harbor. On the AIS display, we can see several boats already occupying the anchorage, so we veer off and opt for space in Linekin Harbor. The dinghy ride to town is a little longer, but there are fewer boats in this anchorage. Mary and Nora make the half mile walk to Hannaford’s Supermarket while the rest of the gang wander the streets and shops of downtown Boothbay.

Footbridge at Boothbay connects one side of the town to the other side.

I like the caption! Mace Carter completely rebuilt the Footbridge after being damaged over the years.

This house is built on pilings halfway across the Footbridge.

As you travel the waterways, you see a lot of different types of boats. This one has bling!

One of the lobster pounds offers to cook your lobster and have it ready for pickup at dinner time. We cannot resist this option. An order for six big juicy lobsters is placed and picked up ready-to-eat!

Yum! And believe it or not, we haven't tired of lobsters yet. ...Just the lobster buoys in the waterways!

Between the islands to Harpswell Harbor

The next morning we pull anchor and continue in a southerly direction. We take an interesting route past Boothbay Harbor and through a narrow waterway in-between small islands and more lobster boats. We wait our turn for a bridge to open and let us through. Our destination is Harpswell Harbor. A peaceful, open, and uncrowded anchorage just around the corner from Dolphin Marina.

We radio ahead to request the bridge to open.

Dolphin Marina and Eagle Island

Our next stop is a return trip for us, but a first time for Pam and Larry. We have reservations on the floating dock at Dolphin Marina. We launch the dinghy and head to Eagle Island. Larry is a history buff and there certainly is an abundance of history in Admiral Peary’s home on Eagle Island. The docent takes us “behind-the-scenes” in certain rooms to get an up-close look at tools, furniture, equipment, and even the player piano that accompanied Peary on his expeditions to the Arctic.

Pam, Larry, and Nora on the dingy dock of Eagle Island State Park.

Compass rose painted on Admiral Peary's front porch.

The interior of Admiral Peary's house is like a time capsule.

Expedition glasses made by Peary's son.

One of the humble bedrooms.

Faded red and white signal flags.

The docent let Larry take a turn on Peary's player piano. This piano was on Peary's ship.

Unique views from every window in Peary's house.

Megaphone used by Peary to call his sled dogs on a neighboring island.

Pam and Nora hike the circular trail that follows the coastline of Eagle Island and enjoy a spectacular view in all directions.

Portland departure

The next morning, after we get our fresh homemade blueberry muffins from the Dolphin Marina staff, we make the short trip to Portland and anchor in the outer harbor.

Oh brother! Pam is excitable! I think she was dancing to who knows what??

And it went on... and on! Larry and Karl try their hardest to ignore the chaos.

Oh joy, now Nora joins Pam. Thank goodness, the boys remain in control of themselves.

Larry takes the helm, and does a stellar job!

Pam and Larry have flights back to Bellingham, WA tomorrow morning. They have hotel reservations tonight so we drop them off and say our “good-byes” at the town dock. It’s been a great trip and had a chance to explore new anchorages, and show them many of the harbors, and towns that we love in Maine.

Karl and Nora.

Karl on the swim step.

Farewell to our good friends Pam and Larry!