st, which has provided us with a wealth of information on anchorages and services, says that the Maine Coast has more islands than the Caribbean or Polynesia. Most are less than 10 acres and uninhabited. On Friday, we visited three--all with contrasting styles of "habitation." Swan's Island, as Pete mentioned is quiet and remote. It's a fishing island geared to the needs of lobstermen primarily. Although moorings can be rented, it's less than obvious where to pay for them and the anchorage has just a few cruising boats. About seven were there on Thursday night.As the dense fog was barely lifting on Friday, five of the boats left in rapid succession. We wondered if we "didn't get the memo" about departing. Likely they were part of a flotilla though. We left soon after and again found heavy fog off the island. Not wanting to spend another day enshrouded in mist, we altered course for nearby Frenchboro Harbor on Long Island. Frenchboro is a working harbor, but has capitalized on its scenic charm as part of an islands tour boat stop. We ate lunch a Lunt's Deli and walked to the head of the harbor, occasionally looking back on Astraea, as she was anchored in deep water with less than ideal scope on the line.
Behind Astraea to the north, the mounta
ins of Mount Desert (MDI) became visible and it was time to depart as heavy rain was predicted for the late afternoon. We ran "wing and wing" north, but again had to switch to diesel when the wind died and rain clouds rolled in. Although it sounds trite, Northeast Harbor is a playground for the super wealthy... and the rest of us lucky enough to visit. A massive motor cruiser set a huge wake on us as it blasted out of the harbor. Nearby a Friday race of sleek one-design sailboats was taking place. (Anyone out there know what boat has a sail logo with capitals I and a C combined?) We found a rental mooring near the back of the harbor in the small boat section and rowed in through the rain for much needed showers and a great dinner. On the way back we rowed our soggy dingy past Morris Yachts, Hinckley's and lots of other jaw-droppers. "Who owns these things....?" We were happy to get back on Astraea, even with her various drips and leaks. She's a great improvement over past rainy vacations in tents! Not to mention at $20/night for the mooring, I think we had the cheapest lodging on MDI for the night!
