A move and a hike

Swells coming into Boothbay became unbearable for a couple of nights.   Swells from the south, a little wind from the west, and we were beam to the swells. Not good! Back and forth, 10-15 degrees to the right, 10-15 degrees to the left, and all over again. Relentlessly.  After Barb and Jim left, we spent one last night, and raised the anchor at the crack of dawn - almost. Yesterday we had a nice 10 mile sail took us to the Sheepscot River and into Ebencock Harbor.  We are blissfully anchored in gentle rocking water.

En route, we passed 3 lighthouses, in order of leaving Boothbay.

The first is Burnt Island Light.  We hiked this small island last year.

Next, at the entrance to the Boothbay harbor, the Cockolds Light.  This is now a private residence, a B and B inn actually.  You can rent the entire lighthouse (2 suites) for 2 nights for $1500.  It would be lovely!

And last, at the entrance to Ebencook Harbor, the Hendricks Head Light

Today we hiked Indiantown Island.  This 60 acre island is half held by the Boothbay Region Land Trust and half by a private landowner who generously allows hikers to pass through his land (staying on the trail, of course!) to get to a beautiful viewpoint on the south end of the island. An archaeological dig concluded that the Native Americans used the island extensively.  Shell middens were excavated as well as centuries old remains.  Local fishermen in the colonial period used the island as an important base.

We took the dinghy to the landing dock this morning to start our 1.4 mile hike.

 The trail meandered along the waterfront and through the woods for the hike.

An old stone wall, covered with moss, dates back to probably the colonial period.

We passed by two enormous pine trees, with the most un-pine tree trunks we've ever seen.  I did some research, and these may be Scots Pines, but I sure am not positive.  Any help?

Here is Luke for a size comparison.

Early Maine summer has everything still in bloom - Lambs Ears.

The tips of spruce trees are covered with new, bright green growth.

This small pine cone is oozing sap.

Mushrooms are abundant.  This little white one still has a scattering of dirt from it's push through the soil.

The view from the southern point is beautiful.

On our way back, we made a small detour to walk out onto rocks.

My favorite is the little ground squirrel.  This rascal stood motionless, certain we couldn't see him.  Ground squirrels hibernate from September to March in the warm burrows they dig in the ground.  Light sleepers, on warm winter days (they have those in Maine??) they emerge from their burrows to search for food.

Tomorrow we'll move the whopping 1.5 miles to Five Islands.  Friends Gloria and Mike live nearby and we plan to see them on Wednesday.

Coastal Maine Botanical Garden

But first a little quiet time.  Sleeping and knitting on the boat seem to go hand in hand.

Barb and Jim are back in Boothbay, where they have their car! Makes for a lot more exploring.  Yesterday we went to Damariscotta for a little shopping, then to an antique shop.  This was an amazing shop, completely organized, 4 stories in the main house, plus a couple of out buildings full of things to explore. This is the '50's floor.

Luke found a print that he liked... thought it might look good in the boat..."The Rising Wind" by Montague Dawson.

Nope!  I'd probably never sail again if I saw that on a regular basis!

Today we all set out for the Coastal Maine Botanical Gardens.  Wow, what a wonderful place!  This privately owned 720  acre Maine treasure was envisioned and started by 7 Mainers in 1991.  It took until 2007 for the first visitor to be admitted. There are paved walks, hiking trails, a landing for kayaks, a children's area, wetlands, rose garden, on and on.  Plus a small cafe and a nice gift shop. We saw only a part of the gardens in several hours.

The entrance sets the stage, letting you know you are about to experience a beautiful garden.

Seats are available

Nice pools dot the gardens.

 There are large pools, perfect places for those tourist photos.

And the FLOWERS!

I love the spouting whale rocks.

After lunch at the cafe, we decided to leave.  We will definitely be back for another visit to the botanical gardens.  Here is the site if you'd like

http://www.mainegardens.org/

Rain was in the forecast and Barb and Jim needed to pack their car for a visit back home, hopefully before the rain started.  Boy, did it rain.

Of course, that is a perfect time to stay inside and make cookies

Rain was forecast for hours and the radar backed up the forecast.  But about 1/2 hour of rain and the entire system drifted off shore.  We are back in beautiful clear blue skies.  Such is Maine Weather.

Lots to catch up on - and fireworks! and Puffins!

...the fireworks teaser...

We caught up with friends Barb and Jim in Rockland.  The Owls Head Transportation Museum seemed like a good place to go - didn't realize how really good a museum it is! We spent several hours, left for lunch, and then back for a couple more hours.

A few sights from this private museum -

The country's largest collection of MG's, all 23 of them from one man's collection.  They are classic and beautiful.

This wonderful gypsy wagon from Romania.  I had no idea they could be so beautiful and ornate.  Even the mirror inside was both beveled and etched.

REALLY old cars

And lots of airplanes

The nice thing? Almost 200 volunteers keep these cars and planes in working condition!  They are both driven and flown even today.

After our visit, we finally escaped Rockland Harbor (not that there is anything wrong with Rockland!).  Past her breakwater and lighthouse

And a glorious - if a bit brisk and heeled over - 3 hour sail to Warren Island.  En route we saw the schooners plying their trade.  

Now, we are careful sailors, and always try to be mindful of our surrounds.  BUT.  As we sailed briskly (7 knots...) up the Penobscot, suddenly, from our starboard side we saw a MONSTROUS yacht that caught up to us,  flew past, and was amazing to say the least.  S/Y Salperton had just  passed us at about 18 + knots, heeled sharply, and ...well..beautiful. This is what 145 feet of super yacht looks like from Latitudes.

Wanna buy her?  $18M...here is website for views of the interior.  and what an interior...

https://www.yachtcharterfleet.com/luxury-charter-yacht-24349/salperton.htm

We reached out first night out destination, Warren Island, a state park island near Ilsboro.  7 campsites and Maine beauty.  But before we land, tick spray!  The infestation and tick born disease are just as bad here as back home in the mountains of Virginia.

We anchored out 

and took the dinghy in to this dock.

Very beautiful hikes across the island

From Warren Island, we sailed (yes,sailed!) back 6 miles to Camden for July 4th.  She has a nice harbor, as seen from land.

The town itself is a main street old waterfront town, full of shops and restaurants.  It was particularly busy because of the 4th.

We spent the day wandering town and listening to two concerts.  One was an absolutely wonderful Casco Bay Wind Symphony.

The other, a Jazz band that featured big band music.

Pizza and a beer, and we were back to the boat to await the fireworks.  A few working lobster boats picked up moorings to await the fireworks also.  This one was a party in motion - one poor guy fell off the boat before it ever picked up the mooring...

Finally, dusk

A nearby lobster boat had sparklers for everyone - a nice touch!

Fireworks!

About  6:30 this morning, we left Camden to take advantage of a light northwest breeze to sail southward to Boothbay.  Past Owls Head Lighthouse.

And best of all, past Eastern Egg Island, home of the puffins!  We saw lots of them, but those little rascals are fast and active.  I have a couple of pictures, but these blurred ones are the best I could get between the moving boat and the darting, splashing puffins.

By early afternoon the breeze picked up a bit, and we actually managed to sail, nearly close hauled, for the last few hours into Boothbay. The wind really picked up as we were needing to get the sails down. We will be here for a few days.  Shopping, catching up on chores, lazing, and maybe the Botanical Gardens with Barb and Jim.  We have to be back in Rockland in late July to see friends from FL!