Sunday, July 1 – Wednesday, July 4, 2018
At 6:30, under hazy skies and with flat seas, we departed Vineyard Haven. Happily, we made it through Woods Hole and across Buzzards Bay with the current.
for the garbage/commuter train
When we arrived at the Cape Cod Canal, the railroad bridge was down, allowing only seven feet of clearance, so we waited for the train to pass before we proceeded through the Canal.
This being just ahead of the 4th of July, there were no moorings available in Plymouth or Scituate, so we called ahead to Laurie, the Harbormaster of Cohasset. Thankfully, she had one heavy mooring available ($35). This gem of a harbor was hardly recognizable on a blisteringly hot Sunday in July, but the water was perfect for a swim off the platform!
At one point a fellow kayaked over — he’d been reading his WoodenBoat Magazine on his porch, looked up to see KATIE MACK coming into the tiny harbor, looked back down at the article he was reading, and realized he had to come say hi! We need to keep an eye out for the MARY CURTIS, a black-hulled old wooden fishing vessel out of Boston as they, too, were headed to Maine. Laurie the harbormaster was kind enough to offer of the use of her truck if we needed to drive into town for any provisions. No need as we were well stocked, but wow, that’s above and beyond. KATIE MACK is proving to be quite the skid-greaser when it comes to meeting people and hearing stories of old wooden boats.
Monday dawned humid with temps climbing to the 80’s. We left Cohasset at 9 and cruised across Massachusetts Bay, arriving at Marblehead just before noon. We picked up the same EYC mooring, took a nap, and then headed over to town for a few provisions. We met Tad and Liz for a delicious dinner at Maddie’s Sail Loft, and reminisced about where we were exactly 40 years ago: on Nantucket at Tad’s mom’s house. Hugh and I met that fateful July day, and it’s been quite an adventure since!
We awoke to a red sky, so decided to get going early. Dropped the mooring at 6:20, and after topping off water and walking Annie, we headed into 1-2 foot seas. Once we passed Cape Ann and the Thacher Island lights, we enjoyed an easier ride with the swell. We kept an eye on the thunderheads well to the west, over land. At one point, we had radio contact with m/v TANGO, requesting they pass aft of us on their way to Isles of Shoals. We also asked if we showed up on their radar — yes, we did. Good to know!
The 3rd was a loooong day, 8 1/2 hours, and it’s a good thing the thunderstorms never came close as there were no moorings available between Marblehead and Biddeford Pool, due to 4th of July celebrations. We were relieved to pick up one of the Biddeford Yacht Club moorings ($35/night) at Biddeford Pool. I called our friend, Leslie, who has a summer cottage just up the street from the little market. Right after our relaunch in Yarmouth last fall, Leslie came aboard for a tour; she will be forever and fondly known as “Oh, hell no!”
We had a nice walk with Annie down along the beach, and Leslie told us more about the classic wood cruiser that is free to the buyer of a lovely cottage across the inlet from the yacht club. All yours for only 5 million!
We slept in on the 4th, and didn’t get moving until just after 11, since it was only a short hop to Casco Bay. Wow, did it feel good to be back in familiar waters! As we crossed Casco Bay, we watched the Cat coming in from Nova Scotia.
We met our friend, Ginny, and her dog Copper, at Handy’s in Falmouth, where we also topped up fuel and water, and pumped out the head. As we are moving, we try not to allow the tanks to fall much below half, and we watch the head closely as it approaches 3/4. Next, we headed over to the Maine Yacht Center where Skip and Julie keep their JULIP.
We were given the premiere dock space ($120) for watching Portland’s fireworks over the East End beach on the aft deck with the Skip and Julie, and more longtime friends, Steve and AnnMarie. Annie was terrified of all the flashbangs, so we’ll never do that again! We managed to keep her from jumping off the boat, and she quickly settled once the booming stopped.