26-29 August, 2015 Lubec-Jonesport-Southwest Harbor-Cradle Cove, Islesboro

      Starting in Portland Maine, we realized we would be learning to tolerate some city noises, like traffic on bridges, then in Southern New England we started getting used to Trains, sometimes close, sometimes in the distance, sometimes very close! While at anchor we were in earshot of trains from Mystic CT all the way thru to Quebec City, and even almost at Tadoussac and Saguenay.

      Somewhere after that the noises faded out and anchorages became more peaceful, and except for the occasional Harley Davidson, around the Gaspe Peninsula, Prince Edward Island, Bras D'Or Lake, and the coast of Nova Scotia, things were pretty quiet.

      Then comes Sou'West Harbor, Maine, and very early in the morning, Oh I remember this, BIG un-muffled engines start their day. Introducing the Maine Lobsterman, getting ready for a day on the water.

      Almost equally shocking is that now we are back into lobster pot country, in a big way. Dodging traps is a full time navigation job. I've heard others complain about it, but until you have been away from it, and almost our whole trip has been buoy free, you really can't appreciate it.

      Rant over. Today was clear and calm and we were off the hook at 0810, just after reveille at the SW Harbor Coast Guard Base. We joined in a pack of 5 or 6 motoring sloops heading out the Western Way and to the Bass Harbor Bar. Not surprisingly, by the time we headed for the Eggemoggin Reach, all had gone their own direction.

      Its fun to be in familiar waters, and interesting how small the area between Schoodic and Rockland, a place we've always called home, has become. 

Pumpkin Island & Light, with Camden Hills in the background.

     We wandered our way along, by Pumpkin Island, Great and Little Spruce Head, and across to Brackets Channel and finally to anchor in an old favorite, Cradle Cove, at 700 Acre Island.

     During the day I had been covertly texting sons Joe and Bill, and my folks, Al and Marnie, to make a rendezvous on Sunday morning at Lincolnville Beach, so they could return to Camden with us on the final day of our Down East Circle Trip. Preparations made, secret shared with Kathy, preparations for guests to come aboard, a little cleaning up, baking some cookies, making bread, made for a busy afternoon.  Ending the day, we had a great red full moon rise in a quiet Harbor. 100 days aboard the Willie Dawes.