Summer in Maine...

is like a small town. Blink and you'll miss it. Eyes wide open yesterday... it was (barely) warm enough for a dip in Northeast Harbor... a very quick dip ... this is Maine. The water is a stout 62 degrees! It was a good test of the swim ladder that Pete made over the winter. Thankfully it works although it is still a bit challenging to use. Cold water is an excellent motivator though.

Today it was back to long pants and even foulies. It was our coldest day yet on the waters as we sailed south out the Western Way and then east past the Bass Harbor Head lighthouse. It was fun seeing the light from water, as I'd spent several evenings in years past watching the sunset from the shore near the lighthouse.

In Blue Hill Bay we caught enough wind for a very pleasant close reach through a light fog and calm waters towards the Casco Passage. The Casco Passage is a tight route through a cluster of small islands and ledges north of Swan's Island. The winds were favorable, however, so it was easy to navigate past the numerous nuns and cans.

We called George up from below to mind the helm and set the spinnaker for a fantastic run Northwest into Eggemoggin Reach. Eggemoggin Reach is protected, so we had very little swell to contend with. We had to keep a close watch on George though, as he gets easily confused by quartering seas. This is common amongst humans too though it seems. We ran for about 2-3 nm before the wind shifted near the entrance of the cove where Wooden Boat School is housed. We motored in and dropped anchor amongst the many classic boats. Tomorrow we plan to check out the boat school. I have my eye on breakast out at a cafe in Brooklin. It's about a 1.5 mile walk, which seems reasonable if there is bacon at the end.