Back in Rockland

We left Souhwest Harbor with a repaired thruster. On the hard for 24 hours.. Very amusing…we lived on the boat, but it was on dry land. Pulled out Wednesday at noon – had to wait for the high tide. Remember, there are 10-foot tides in Maine.

So, I am telling the Service Manager, “I have to have Connie in an Uber on Saturday morning, so I have to be in Rockland by Friday, so we have to diagnose the problem today (Wednesday), and order parts if necessary, and make repairs Thursday.

The yard analyzed the problem, ordered the part, and had it repaired by 7:45 Thursday morning. Ready to launch on the next tide. Meanwhile, the water pump that feeds everything: Sinks, toilet, windshield washers, shower, etc. also broke. What are the odds that two critical systems break at once?

Actually, it was a good thing, because we were laid up anyway. So I worked on the water pump. I had a spare, but as I assessed the problem, I realized it was a clogged filter. The pump was difficult to reach, and it took two days – I felt like a contortionist, but I did it.

Anyway, we left Thursday at 1PM, and headed straight up the Eggemoggen Reach for Castine. Castine was a bit of a letdown after SW Harbor (what wouldn’t be?), and Connie said, “Lets go to Belfast. I remember it is cute.” So we took off in a threatening storm, and made it to Belfast in less than an hour. Belfast IS cute, and very dog friendly.

That set us up to enjoy the whole day Friday. Rockport would be an easy trip. We waited for the fog and rain to lift, and set off under clearing skies for Pulpit Harbor on North Haven lsland. Pulpit Harbor is the site of the ancestral home of one of my favorite couples, Jeff and Cooey. Jeff is my business partner, and his wife Cooey is Guinness’s Veterinarian.

Jeff and Cooey were still in PA, but Cooey’s sister Cathy met us at the dock, picked us up in the Whaler, and drove us all over the island. Spectacular views! A beautiful home and a beautiful setting. So happy we took the time to visit! We love Cathy!

Then a sprint to Camden to see the “Classic” yacht races, and safely home in Rockland by 5PM. The entire trip reminded me of a sail in the British Virgin Islands, because the land masses and the islands here are so mountainous. Plus, we saw dolphins and seals swimming near the boat as we sped past.

What a great day!