Yesterday there was no real internet to speak of at Belfast - so NO DOG BLOG! Did you miss me???
It was kind of nice to give my digits a rest - along with the rest of me. Yesterday am, we headed out of Southwest Harbor in lifting fog - but flat as glass seas. I had some more of the Colonel's burger for breakfast and was ready to go. We headed up Blue Hill Bay - with the Maine mountains in the distance and into the tight Casco Passage: dodging pots and wheeling lobsterboats all the way. We cut across Jericho Bay and into the Deer Island Thorofare. We tried to beat it past Stonington - having heard stories of the aggressive lobsterboat captains who love to play chicken with pleasure craft. As we rounded the bend into Stonington - we got up close and personal with 8 to 10 tall ships, anchored out at the mouth of the harbor - including American Eagle. I was not prepared! I tried my best paw salute as we headed by. I am a former commodore, you know.
From there we turned north and headed up East Penoboscot Bay, past the Eggemoggin Reach entrance, Cape Rosier and the turn into Castine Harbor. I am sure Dobbin and his human, Ken Eaton, would be happy to see us again. But the facilities: not so much. We continued north on flat seas until we hit the light chop of open Penobscot Bay. We blew into Belfast Harbor and tied up at the town dock. I was masterful in my directions to the crew for docking in the river current and wind. After that: WHAT ELSE: we wash the boat and go on a forced march!
I did like Belfast: Lots of doggies at the waterfront and the grass, though not exactly at hand, was near enough for me to make it - AND WAS PLENTIFUL! The nice people of Belfast thoughtfully placed parks along the waterfront to please their canine friends. I was pleased!
What did not please me: Main Street is a steeply inclined street that starts at the waterfront - and if you want just about anything in this town, you go UP IT. Did they not think of a funicular?? Bad enough that when the tide was out, I could not make it up the dock gangway by myself. Whoever decided the footing should be shinny metal with nothing to grab if you are four legged should be shot. Or better yet: come back as a dog! High tide: no problem. Low tide: I get the humiliating ride up and down. Grrrr.
Lots of great coffee shops in this town and curiously - it is a center for midwifery! Go figure! We wandered around in the intense heat of the afternoon and then adjorned to After You to play "The Hateful Game". I got some shuteye since there seems to be no internet access on the docks when the tide is out. We had dinner at the local fav: Darcy's. Normally that would be good for me. Alas! What's Her Face opted for the Mumbai curry, medium hot. So no leaftovers for me. Instead, I saw Jim wolfing them down at lunch here today in Camden!
Last night's constitutional was done in the rain: making the trek up and down the gangway all the more challenging. Glad What's Her Face opted for no umbrella! I could easily have been in the drink floating down river in the blink of an eye.
This am dawned with fog (as usual) but no rain. The photo fanatics were all up snapping away. My primary caregivers headed out early to partake of the homemade donuts and the famous one and only Persian buns at Weavers Bakery up Main Street. They both came back in diabetic shock from the sugar - but did have peace of mind to stop at Tracy's Diner for a bacon side order for me! Weavers is the local hangout for all the retired guys in Belfast - and the ONLY place to get the real deal Persian Bun. I did have them hold the chocolate frosting. Not for breakfast - though the true aficionados swear by the frosting. The breakfast club was a hoot commenting on the traffic going by along with solving the problems of the world.
We headed down a flat Penobscot Bay and weaved our way between Ilseboro Island - where there are some pretty fancy houses and 700 Acre Island. We followed the ferry into the channel at Grindel Point where it docked and let off all the Mercedes, BMWs and the cases of cavier and pate. We idled south through Gilkey Harbor - watching the blue hued mountains to our north - and continuing to dodge the lobster pots and their owners. From there, we headed straight across West Penobscot into Camden Harbor to the Wayfarer Marina. We did see some seals and porpoises along the way who surfaced to salute our presence.
We tied up at the gas dock while we waited for some bozo in a big yacht to leave. I hopped off all by myself and headed down the dock to howdy anyone I could find. This was, of course, after What's Her Face dragged me up the gangplank 1st thing and introduced me to the only grass in sight. I found a place in the shade under the gangway when I went walkabout and was doing fine - until I was discovered and hauled back home. Today we played laundry while waiting for the bozo in the yacht to leave. Jim was out of undies - whatever those are. So now he is all stocked up again and good to go. Me: I am glad I don't have to worry about that.
While at the gas dock, Joel got a bad case of Sabre lust - with a brand new beauty tied up in front of our bow. Every one trooped through and oooohed and ahhhhhed. Big deal. Would I have my own berth: NO. Not impressed.
Finally after the bozo and crew left in their yacht, we got to the dock, tied up and headed to town where we browsed through all the stores and the boys hit every bench available in town. The girls kept going while we boys headed back to the boat to get out of the sun and play some more games.
So now we are all caught up. Hope things are ok out there in the internet ether. I am hoping for another piece of bacon tonight!
Belly rubs to all,
W
