Portland, ME

ANOTHER great day on the water. As we have traveled East, though CT, MA, HN, and ME, I would comment on the nice weather, and people would respond, “Yes, finally!” So apparently, we are coming in right behind a stretch of gray, cloudy skies. LUCKY! I hope it keeps up!

I had a wonderful surprise today: my friend Brad joined me for today’s leg, and Renee’ drove here to pick him up. It was a real pleasure to have a navigator and companion.

We’ve already passed at least a half-dozen scenic lighthouses; we must really be in Maine!

Just after lunch, Guinness and I rode a charming narrow-track railroad train that runs all along the harbor. The tracks are just 24″ apart. These narrow-gauge trains were used to carry freight from the harbor towns to those with no port access. It now runs on the Grand Trunk right-of-way… the railroad that used to connect Maine and Canada!Lots of fun, and beautiful views.

This afternoon, we explored Portland and did some chores. More required tomorrow to get the boat “girl-ready” because Connie flies in tomorrow night. “Guy Clean” is one thing; “Girl Clean” is quite another matter.

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We’re staying at a marina in Portland called DiMillo’s, which is famous because right next door is DiMillo’s floating restaurant, formerly a gigantic ferry boat. It sounds like the kind of tourist trap that would have terrible food, but I had a crispy oysters lettuce-wrap that was fabulous.

I ate outdoors on the back deck; Here’s a photo of an antique sloop that ghosted past as the full moon rose.