PIX FROM DAYS 15 &16

THE DOG BLOG - Watson's Wisdom

Dateline: Falmouth MA

Hi All - Sorry for the hiccup. We had what the care givers are calling "computer issues" the last few days of travel. So let me bring you up to speed: First and foremost: I SLEPT IN MY OWN BED LAST NIGHT!!! YAAAAAAY!!!!

We left Newburyport when the tide was slack in the am so we could actually maneuver out of the marina and into the channel without incident. "Could" was the operative word here - as for all the chit chat on the radio between the two captains - you would have thought they could have decided who was actually pulling out first. We had some momentary stress as the two boats were headed for each other - but all recovered when I barked a few orders.

We headed out the channel on the Merrimack - turns out there is a whole less traffic and congestion on the river on Monday am than there was at noon on Sunday when every boat on the North Shore was headed up or down that river.

The seas and weather cooperated again and we headed down towards Cape Ann, passing along Plum Island and Ipswich and Essex (Woodman's for steamers, Yum!). We came closer to shore at Crane's Beach and could see Crane's Castle. By this time, What's Her Name was all excited as this was her old stomping grounds in her formative years. We toodled down the Annisquam River ogling the waterfront cottages. What's Her Name pointed out the house deck where she filmed her one and only cinema effort: an instructional video on how to eat lobster for a graduate course. Of course, that was 40 years ago! We zipped by the Annisquam Yacht Club and saluted. And then headed out towards Gloucester under a couple of bridges and then had to wait for the last bridge in the Blynman Canel to head out into Gloucester Harbor past Stage Fort Park where What's Her Name would picnic with her family as a toddler. And then past Hammond Castle and the wreck of the Hesperus - with a nod to H.W. Longfellow.

The seas were flat and the skies sunny as we headed down the coast. Why is this not "Up the Coast" since we just came from "Down Maine?" Imponderable questions. We saw a few birdies - but no exciting sightings of anything else - unless you count the sunbathers at Salisbury Beach when we left the Merrimack River... We stayed a few miles off shore so could barely make out the landmarks in the haze. We rounded Duxbury Light and headed into Plymouth Harbor - which takes FOREVER to get to when your anticipation is high and your little legs are crossed.

After a 3 Stooges routine by dock hands at Brewers Marina, they finally managed to point us to an agreed spot on the dock: it took them 3 tries to decide. We then tried a forced march into town but had to quit it due to sunstroke. Gee it was hot! The AC went on in Taking Stock and did not go off until we left in the early am.

We had a visit from the Kavorka, himself - Ralph Sewall and the lovely Mrs. Sewall, Carol, welcoming me - err, us that is, back to the home ground. Joel immediately snared them into a few rounds of the hateful game - and did not even turn the AC on! After some grape juice and some cheese and crackers, of which I got to lick the plate, they all trooped off to dinner at Cafe Strega up the hill and gave me a little peace and quiet. Good news: leftovers! Bad news: not for me!

We overnighted in Plymouth and awoke to mighty winds. We made haste to set to sea and battened down the hatches and all movable objects including me and headed out to sea. We pretty much sloshed our way out of Plymouth Harbor past the Duxbury Loght. Joel was a head of us and he made so many moves on the waves, you would think he was in a Zumba class. We had waves washing overhead and I was regularly levitated off the captain's seat. We made the corner and headed down the coast to the mouth of Cape Cod Canel. Here things had evened out a bit and we had a favorable tide through the canal. I was really getting into a good nap when we hit the Buzzards Bay Channel on the other end - and waves suddenly were 6 plus feet. I ordered the Nina and Pinta back into the safety of Onset harbor to wait until the tide and wind were more favorable to make it across Buzzards Bay. We holed up rafted together on an Independence Point Yacht Club mooring, eating lunch and playing more of the hateful game until I needed a constitutional at the fuel dock before heading back out.

We cleared the channel to the canal and though the seas were a bit rough, they were manageable through Buzzards Bay and Woods Hole and past Nobska Light and into Falmouth Harbor to tie up with our old buddies at Pier 37. Good news! Home safely! Bad news: flat tire on the Subaru in the parking lot. I got my people to handle it all! Now all the laundry is done, the boat is cleaned and back on its mooring and I am chasing bunnies in the back yard. GEE WHIZZ - there is no place like home, Toto.

That's it, folks. I'll try to complete this little saga with a few pix from our final days at sea. I will be back with the important stats of the trip. Important to me, that is.

May your nose be to the wind and wishing you many bellyrubs ahead.

W.

Newburyport

Nice visit in Freeport with Bill and Amy Holland. A second recovering patient in two days! After You feels like the ship Hope! Obligatory visit to LL Bean. Very quiet. Note to Neil: Shawn Gorman is still there in marketing.


Nice dinner at Jameson Tavern.


Beautiful passage to Newburyport with gentle ocean swells and NO FOG! You know if there was no fog and no lobster buoys, boating would be great in Maine!


Saw several seals, two whales (got a poor pic, I think Brenda did better), and a swan at Boon Ledge!


Entered the Merrimack River at full 4 knot ebb with all the Sunday yahoos racing here and there. Docking was special but we were able to make it first try. Nice walk around town and along the river.

Note to Peter: Visited the home of the USCG in Newburyport.

Off to Plymouth in the morning and hopefully home on Tuesday. It has been a wonderful experience. It also has been a full emersion geography lesson as all of our cruises were!

PIX from Day 14 Freeport to Newburyport MA

THE DOG BLOG - Watson's Wisdom

Dateline: Newburyport, MA

WE MADE IT BACK INTO HOME STATE WATERS! First time I have seen a sandy shoreline since we left 2 weeks ago!

Last night was a low point in the trip for me. NO LEFTOVERS!! Amy and Bill Holland came to visit, driving up from Needham MA for the weekend and staying overnight on terra firma in Freeport. These are VERY SMART PEOPLE! We, on the other hand, crawled into our sleeping bags and rocked off to sleep to the clanging of the lines on the sailboats around us hitting their metal masts. No wonder pirates say "ARRRRGGGG".

There was a friendly game of cribbage at the Captain's lounge at Brewers Marina that I got to umpire. I made sure the boys won. I was one. Once. Before...... You know.

Anyway - after we dragged the Hollands to very food market in the greater Freeport area looking for breakfast muffins, the Jamison Inn and Tavern took pity on them and fed them. I hear they had great pot roast. ONE OF MY FAVORITES! But no - alas. None for me.

I also hear they hit LL Bean and the local Giffords sore for some Deer Tracks ice cream - but it was long gone by the time they got back to me.

It was a short night. Up at 1st light - when I was force marched up the gangway - yet again. And we were gone by 7am to beat the winds and seas of afternoon. Today was to be a 70 mile trip offshore - and just about outside the 3 mile limit. This was the first day we awoke to NO FOG!! It was so hard to believe! I thought it came with every day in Maine!

The skies were clear; the seas were calm; and the lobster pots were thick as Jamison's clam chowder. In cases like this, driving drunk is done is a straight line; This is more like doing a hora at a Bar Mitzvah.

We headed out of Harraseekat River and turned south towards Portland, passing to the east of Great Diamond Island in Hussey Sound and out again into Casco Bay, passing Portland and Cape Elizabeth Light houses and into the Bigelow Bight where we caught a visit from a whale directly in front of us! The whale checked us out and then continued on its way. Not very chatty - unlike Jim and Joel who keep up a running Bert and I routine on the VHS radio on Channel 72. I can't imagine what all the fisherfolk and others monitoring Channel 72 might think. Thank goodness they don't know I am aboard!

We trucked on south past the Isles of Shoals and NH waters and then on into MA waters to the mouth of the Merrimack River at Plum Island. That is when I woke up after a quiet morning and looked around. The river was dumping out of this tiny area wedged between 2 jetties keeping Plum Island and Salisbury apart. Seeing all the well oiled slick bodies packed on Salisbury Beach, I can understand why Plum Island folks want to keep the Merrimack flowing. IT WAS A SEA OF FLESH!! And then on the water - we saw more boats in motion than we have seen collectively this whole trip. They came in all sizes, shapes and forms of locomotion. They were all moving - in the churning currents of the breakwater - all very fast and all in different directions. They were coming straight at us and were beside us and in front of us. The channel narrowed and we went as best we could with the traffic. I have always enjoyed the rodeo on TV. I never expected I would be actually in one. That was what it was like. We managed to get up the river to Newburyport to the Newburyport Harbor Marina where the dock master was able to guide us in and get us on the dock. The River here at the dock continues to hum at 5 to 6 knots. We have watched the demolition derby on water going on all afternoon.

We did take a walk into town - close by, along with everyone else on the North Shore of MA today. I think the stores must be giving things away - but not to me. I like these brick sidewalks - a bit cooler on the feet that concrete or hot top. We looked at all the stores and all the menus of all the restaurants and now are back at the dock taking a breather. I am hoping for good things to come home from dinner tonight at the Starboard Grill just up the road.

Tomorrow: on the Plymouth and then HOME TO MY OWN BED.

Wag More. Bark Less.

W.

PIX from Days 12&13: Camden to Georgetown to South Freeport

PIX from Days 12&13: Camden to Georgetown to South Freeport

South Freeport

After a nice passage from Camden to Robinhood, we were joined by Peter and Betsy Smith, who came to see Cape Dory 28s. There sure are plenty at Robinhood! Nice visit with the Smiths and great to see Betsy up and about.

Crossing from Robinhood to South Freeport we encountered intermittent fog, some rather dense, but then it cleared for a nice ride up Broad Sound into Casco Bay.

Bill and Amy Holland drove up to join us. There is talk of LL Bean.

Off for a 70 mile passage to Newburyport in the morning.

THE DOG BLOG - Watson's Wisdom

Dateline: South Freeport

Made it to the home of LLBean and Casco Bay, home of more lobster pots than there are Milkbone Dog Biscuits in the world.

Zip A Dee Doo Daa! I had fish for breakfast before we left Robinhood and his merry men in Georgetown. The Personal Care Givers entertained Peter and Betsy Smith from home last night. They all enjoyed wine and cheese on the cockpit - and I got a few nibbles of EXCELLENT cheese before Al, a local from down the dock who happens to own an Eastern 21 came to take over the party and share his life story. And he does not even have a dog! Good thing Betsy was there. I JUST LOVE her belly rubs!! I was hoping she would tuck me under her arm and take me home - but no such luck. I am still in rock n roll land.

The fish for breakfast came from their dinner at the Osprey restaurant right at the marina. Good thing 'cause there isn't ANYTHING within walking distance, maybe even until you get to Boothbay Harbor! There is a new chef - who apparently was stolen from another restaurant somewhere. I can testify on 2 counts on his mastery of the culinary arts. One is the fish - yum. Wolfed that down and left the kibble for later in desperation if there is no more fish forthcoming and Two: his dumpster was just the smelliest - I LOVED IT!

It rained in the night and it was a soggy forced march in the early morning - but the skies cleared and we headed out into Sheepscot River - once we got oriented and going in the right direction, and headed out directly into the fog and big gentle rollers - and lobsterpots, of course!

The weather finally cleared as we entered Casco Bay and the minefield that leads to South Freeport and Brewers Marina. The lobstermen were wheeling around in thier boats, just waiting for us to hit a few of the traps - but with Joel in the lead, we made it through. There was once incident just as we left the Sheepscot River - and that lobsterman was NOT HAPPY when we accidently drove over his hidden float. Oh well.

Now we are in Brewers; the boat has been washed and our friends from home, Bill and Amy Holland (who often bring me goodies) are here! Not many doggies around - glad we have company cause I could use some fresh faces. It has started to be a long 2 weeks!

Tomorrow: pushing on to Newburyport. Today: hitting the shops!

Woof to all,

W.

THE DOG BLOG - Watson's Wisdom

Dateline: Georgetown, Robinhood Marina, Home minus 4 days (which is as high as I can accurately count)

Here we are at the end of the road - literally. Now I know why Robinhood Marina advertises in every marine mag known to man and dog. This place makes New Baltimore on the Hudson River look like a metropolis. But - to be fair - there are quite a few doggies here, so who can complain!

We left Camden this am around 7:30am - which killed Joel was anxious to be underway by 7:00am. I guess he just does not understand doggie routine: Dawn constitutional, snooze, breakfast, snooze, and final constitutional before heading to sea. Very civilized. The sun was bright when I opened my 1st eye - and gone by the time I could prop the 2nd one open. The clouds kept it cool - and I did not have to worry about my delicate skin in the sun (I do come from western Scotland where the sun don't shine.)

The seas were flat - good, cause I just shared the remains of Joel's pork chop from last night. But then we had to head out into the Gulf of Maine from West Penobscot Bay - and the rollers started in and continued until we made Fisherman's Reach and then up the Sheepscot River to ole' Robinhood tucked in a little cove you need a map to find.

Once ensconced, we borrowed their courtesy car and headed to town - or to be fair: to SR 127 which we followed south til we almost drove off the pier at Five Islands Lobster - which was truly the "end of the line". Then we turned around and followed SR 127 until there we hit construction and one lane. Since it appeared we were going no where not so fast - but faster than we would have liked since the courtesy car was the model without the brakes option, we turned around and came back to the marina. I am now sleeping on the back deck while everyone else is oggling boats - which is about the only thing to do here.

I hear we are having a visit this afternoon from Peter and Betsy Smith, who are driving up from the Cape today. (Are they nuts or what! I can think of a million other places to spend a Friday night! I did hear there are plans to have a jazz concert here tonight at the gazebo. Interesting that they put the band in the screened in gazebo while the paying customers sit out on the lawn and swat mosquitoes. Which brings me to a new topic. I have a new tool! It is an electric fly swatter!!! Swing it like a badminton raquet and push the button and the little beasties are zapped and fried up for fish food. IT IS FABULOUS!! There is the zapping sound; there is the lightning when the frying occurs and there is the the reward of dead bug! How satisfying! Thank you, buddy Judy Godbout, for the tip on this accessory. I have found that it really requires a traditional fly swatter to get the little beastie to take flight so I can whomp 'em - but who cares! Success is what matters! And no uncooked bugs!!!

So just hangin' loose for the rest of the afternoon. Tonight: visions of leftovers from the Osprey Restaurant who supposedly has a new chef - which is good 'cause not many folks liked it to date on Trip Advisor. And listenin' to NPR - believe it or not, they are playing Tex Ritter doing "I Dreamed I Was Back in Hillbilly Heaven" on Ray Smith's Jazz Eras show featuring 1961. Good Grief!

Tomorrow on to LLBean land and South Freeport. I have a special place in my heart for LLBean cause they made my favorite dog bed. Actually I think it is my buddy, Zack's, favorite bed too!

Happy doggie dreams to all.

W.

Camden

Dow broke 12,700 today! Sox lost another pitcher but won the game.


Intermittant fog but overall a nice passage from Southwest to Belfast. Took Deer Isle Thorofare by Stonington to the East Bay then north around Islesboro to Belfast. Nice town. Very friendly everywhere.

Today a short hop to Camden where we found what Ralph says is his cousin's ice cream shop (Camden Cones). The girl behind the counter said that Chris Rector was the owner but was not there today and introduced me to his son, who never heard of Ralph! Close family! The worst news was no free cones! Thanks, Ralph!!

Off in the morning for a 51 nm run to Robinhood Cove off the Sheepscot River. That is where Red October ended up in the Tom Clancy movie. Maybe we will see it.

Note to Jeanne: I finally was able to get a picture of one of those little bastards!

PIX from Days 10 & 11

Southwest Harbor to Belfast