From bay to bay

Indiantown island

Yesterday’s forecast called for no wind, so we figured that we should find a place to explore and stretch our legs. Water temperature in Love cove was not even 17C, so not really conducive to swimming. So after a slow breakfast we left the mooring and motored north to Indiantown island. It is privately owned, but the north part of the island has a trail that is maintained by Boothbay Region Land Trust.

There is even a mooring and a courtesy dinghy for day use. The problem with the mooring was its location: at low tide there was a danger that we would end up sitting on the ground, and the tide was going out. To avoid getting stuck waiting for the next high tide to lift us, we anchored and went ashore.

The trail was nice and soft, it was pleasant to walk, chat and observe the nature.

Along the path we found a tree that was perfect for climbing, which provided great entertainment for all. Margot climbed higher than everyone else and at some point scared us when a branch broke under her weight. Luckily nobody got hurt.

When the end of the loop was almost in sight, Mark, Alla and David who were walking in the front got stung by wasps. They tried to run away quickly and David got stung again. Ooops! Irina’s suggestion was to walk the trail in the opposite direction to avoid getting stung. I decided to try to sprint past the nest in the ground and that was successful. Margot, Peter and Mabry followed and got through unhurt. Irina however, ended up with 3 stings on her thighs. Now we had half of our company who were not thrilled about the end of the walk on what Irina earlier called a “friendly island”.

David decided to swim back. So did Mabry. I knew that the water was more than refreshing, but they made it to Salty Ginger pretty quickly and took warm showers. David said that the cold water made the stings feel less acute. Irina took a plunge into the 16.5C water and was out very quickly. All stings got attention and we were ready to get the anchor and motor south, out of the Sheepscot river.

Up the Quahog Bay

While we motored, Irina and Alla made quesadillas. It’s much easier to cook when the boat is not heeling! At the mouth of the river I saw a returning lobster boat and intercepted it to get crustaceans for dinner. The guys on the boat saw us and sold us 6 lobsters for $40. Perfect! Dinner plans all set!

Typical lovely Maine scenery was all around. Rocks, lighthouses and tons of lobster pots.

In the open water the ocean waves were on the beam and there was a bit of a side component of the wind. Not enough to sail, but enough to heel the boat a bit and provide for a less rolly ride. In the bay water temperature was 20C. Aha! Swimming water! We passed Big Hen island which has a large open area for anchorage, but also a number of houses.and decided to check the northernmost part of the bay close to Snow Island. There were a few boats there, but the consensus was to not to go back to Big Hen.

Water temperature: 23.8C! Two minutes after the anchor set I was in the water. Mark and David followed me shortly. The sun was coming out and then hiding behind the clouds. A little wind was cooling us off, so it felt warmer in the water than being on deck.

Irina and Peter took the dinghy and rowed ashore to Little Snow island which has a MITA-curated campsite. The tide was already rising, but they succeeded in finding a few mussels and a couple of oysters. Margot and Mabry woke up after their afternoon beauty nap and started looking around for birds in the cove. I tried to fish without success. Then we heard a loud splash: an osprey was successful at fishing and shaking the water off its body as it was gaining height, flew towards its nest in the trees on the edge of the forest.

Lobster and grilled corn for dinner hit the spot! And after clean up, Mark and the kids played games while the rest of us chatted in the cockpit watching the darkness surround us with moon glowing through the clouds.

Relaxing morning

I woke up at 6:30 and went into the cockpit to enjoy the fresh morning air. Everyone else was sound asleep, so I didn’t even start making coffee. At 8 Irina and Peter started stirring. Peter really wanted to sleep together with his mom, so I spent the night in the aft cabin with Mark.

When Margot came out, she said

— Mark, sorry about knocking on the wall last night, but you were snoring so loudly that we couldn’t fall asleep.

— That wasn’t me! That was your dad! And thanks for doing it, by the way. He turned over and stopped snoring after that.

What?! Me snoring? But the evidence was overwhelming. Alla and David heard me too! I did not hear the knocking nor myself. Totally out in my sleep.

The excitement of the morning was Margot’s finding a bald eagle sitting on a branch. A bit far, especially for the camera lens that we have aboard, but unmistakeable: majestic and beautiful.