Voyage 2016: Chapter 3

7 Aug 2016, Back to USA (Rockland ME), 44 06.09 N/ 069 06.234 W

We left Shelburne at 0555 ADT with a bit of fog, no wind, and cold air. Fortunately for Capt. Bob, the fog lifted before we got to McNutt's. We spent a very unexciting (good thing) 36 hours heading to Rockland. No other boats, no whales, no dolphins, 4 birds. We started seeing lobster floats as the water depth shallowed below 400 ft. As we approached Seal Island, the traps became singles with an explosion of floats. Still it wasn't any Cranberry Island. We arrived at the Landing Marina and picked mooring ball #1

Jim and Karen of Wanderer II were right behind us until they headed for the anchorage. It is Lobster Fest this weekend so we will hang around for a bit. Plus Jim and Karen volunteered for the Fest so we can annoy them while they are working. The Fest has a downtown parade so we got a place on the curb and watched the folks marching. They even had a Donald Trump float. Imagine that!

Cruising friends Bob and Susan live in Tenants Harbor and offered to give us a tour of the area plus some quality time with their puppies, Sophie and Norman. We first met them in Vero many years ago and still remember their three times a day dinghy ride for puppy potty times. Anything for our dogs (and cats). Nice people. Tomorrow we will head for Falmouth via Port Clyde and prepare for our trip home.

15 Aug 2016, Falmouth ME then Rockport MA, 42 39.726 N/ 070 37.146 W

We arrived in Falmouth 6 days ago for provisioning and weather window waiting (WWW). While in Falmouth, Bob fixed fuse problems with our three solar panels. The inline fuse holders corroded a bit, caused increased resistance resulting in melting holders. One fused failed due to the heat. We rented a car so that we could get heavier groceries (read as boxes of wine) and propane refill. The big guy on the right towers above the store and is affectionately known as the 'BFI'.

Today, we left for Rockport MA which is a pretty long daytime leg. We normally head for Isle of Shoals but have been uneasy to use the mooring balls there. We arrived at the anchorage at 1915 with plenty of light. Interesting vista of the town. We understand now why it has "rock" in its name. Rockport will certainly be on our list of places to explore next time.