ME, NH, and MA

We've put 200 more miles behind us, over 1900 to date, and just 1000 more to reach Port St. Lucie FL! It's good to be back out on the high seas and re-acquire our sea legs. We've moved south of the Gulf of Maine passing though Booth Bay, Kennybunkport and Wells Harbor. We had hoped to stay with the George #41 but he wasn't home (the club rates there ranged from $4 to $6 dollars a foot for the night, not in our budget). Instead we tied up to a fisherman's pier in Wells Harbor (for free) for the night. We heard lots of stories about the Presidential visits to this pier including the frequent boat trips over to Wells Harbor for dinner at a favorite restaurant just up the street. We were probably tied to the same cleats that George uses.

Having arrived at low tide(of course) the water within the break wall was fast and furious with a strong outgoing current. We had an rather “unusual” landing. Upon approach to the pier my co-pilot says: “hey, turn here between these mooring balls”. So I did, and we quickly found out why there were so many so close together. These weren't mooring balls. These were warning buoys for the shallow waters in the center of this basin. We ran aground. It was soft mud or sand and we quickly and easily backed off. No damage done, but we had to back up and try again. As we continued on and completed our graceful approach to the pier, the current took a hold of our stern. Jim had already jumped off with the bow line but had no way of reaching for the stern before we where perpendicular to the dock. It was an easy fix as he simply loosened the line and walked up the dock with some motor assistance from the helm. The best part was the family on the dock that was watching this whole thing unfold. The very young son says to his mother: “Mom, Mom, Come here. A very “unusual” thing is going on over here. Mom, Mom, look at the boat. There's a woman driving the boat!” That made my (Linda) day!

We've now completed the coast of Maine, breezed by New Hampshire and entered into Massachusetts waters. We're sitting in Sandwich Marina at the east end of the Cape Cod Canal. The Canal is a blessing, as it eliminates a trip around Cape Cod, Nantucket and Martha's Vineyard keeping us on the inside rather than the ocean side of this area. We're also now south of the Erie latitudes measuring in at 41 degrees, 46min (vs.42.08)!

Just outside this waterway is a protected home for the Right Whales. We didn't see any, but we did spot a dolphin on our way into the marina. We also spotted two Navy Vessels with several crew members on each dressed in camouflage and standing ready next to the deck mounted machine guns. We suspect these exercises are being done in conjunction with the 9/11 events. The fuel attendant claims he's never seen these groups in there before. For a minute there I thought we were being followed. Tonight we may take advantage of a pizza shop that delivers to the boat, or walk into town and spend a few bucks at the ice cream shop, or both. :) Have a great week!