July 30^th- We left Rockland and headed south beating into a light chop. Once we rounded the point we headed down wind. We were sailing with a light wind and a favorable current. We ghosted through the upper part of Muscle Ridge Channel mostly riding the current. The wind did pick up and we shot out into the bay. We rode the wind all the way into Tenants Harbor. As we were motoring down Long Cove a guy sailed by and told us we were welcome to use his mooring. It was further out than we really wanted but we said what the heck and took it. Tomorrow is the start of the annual Cape Dory cruise and a couple showed up later in the afternoon.

July 31- We sat here on the boat watching Cape Dory after Cape Dory pull into the harbor. We sailed the dinghy again and then went over to High Island where we had a picnic/cookout. There are about 10 Cape Dories here for this, a couple of 36’s, a couple of 30’s and some 33’s and my 28. We will be the oldest and slowest boat here. It was a great group of people and we had a blast hanging out on this island. The party broke up quick when we remembered that we left the dinghies at low tide and now they were floating away. Some quick work by a few recued every one’s dinghy.

Aug 1^st- We left early to get a jump on everyone because we really are the slowest boat. There was no wind at all so we motored up the Muscle Ridge Channel through Fisherman’s passage where the wind picked up slightly. We managed to sail about ¾ of the way across before we started the motor. We motored through the Fox Island Thorofare and down into the anchorage at Winter Harbor.

   This is a spectacular place with high cliffs coming down to the water. It is a narrow channel through the rocks and has small beaches made of mussel shells. We tried to get out and walk on an island but it so muddy we just got stuck. We eventually found a rock to climb out on and everyone joined us for happy hour on this rock in the middle of the channel. Another cd 28 joined us here and he bought some lobsters off some kids in a lobster boat. The party broke up just as it started to rain. It continued to rain for most of the night which made for some very pleasant sleeping.

Aug 2^nd- We left early again but again there was no wind at all. It was interesting seeing the ocean as flat calm as this.We motored through Merchant’s Row which is a hodge podge of islands and then around Marshall Island and into Burnt Coat Harbor on Swan’s Island where we anchored. This is a very protected fishing harbor with a quaint shoreline but not much else. We met at a pair of rafted 36’s for happy hour. Meanwhile a brigantine loaded up with the performers from the show tonight sailed by regaling us with songs. After this we walked up the hill to a hall where we witnessed the Sweet Chariot Music Festival. This was the 25^th year and it brings together lots of folk and blue grass musicians for a night on an island off the Maine coast. It was a very good show that was attended by many people. We walked back to the boat afterwards in a long line of people heading to their boats. It was nice looking down on the harbor and seeing all the anchor lights blinking on the water.

Aug 3^rd- There was no wind again so rather than just sit here we motored over to Sand Cove on Marshall Island and anchored off the beach. This is a beautiful sand beach surrounded by huge boulders. The water is crystal clear. This was our first experience with surf and Alayne got wet when a wave breached the transom on the way in. The water is warm by Maine standards at 60 degrees. This island is all protected so it has some great hiking trails of which we took advantage. In the afternoon the wind came up a bit and we weighed anchor and went sailing. We just sort of ghosted along and headed back to Burnt Coat Harbor for the night. A couple of big schooners had come in and were anchored as they were here for the second night of the show.

Aug 4^th- We left early again and managed  to sail in the light winds. We ran close hauled through the big swells on the ocean until we rounded the buoy and then we headed north. The wind was too light and the swells too big and they were just bouncing us all over the place so we motored in. It was only about a mile to go until we entered Frenchboro Harbor on Long Island where we picked up a mooring. There was much discussion about this because there is no anchoring here and the moorings are all private. So we just picked up one and hoped nobody would come for it. Lobster boats came for all the ones around us but not ours!

   This island is mostly preserved and it has about 65 residents who mostly work on lobster boats. We talked with a couple to see what the life was like. We are learning a lot about lobsters. Speaking of which there is a restaurant here that has been here for many years and we all got together and ate—you guessed it lobster. She said it was fresh this morning and a complete ;lobster  dinner was $12.50 !!!!

Aug 5^th- We left around 7:30 to a nice SW wind and sailed out of the harbor into Blue Hill Bay where we turned north and shot down the east side if Swan’s island. Mt desert Island forms the other side of the bay. We surfed down some big Atlantic swells and ran with the wind and current sometimes getting close to 7 knots.Once we reached the north end of Swans we turned onto the Casco Passage. This is a narrow but well marked passage between several islands and shoals. Once we cleared the buoy we headed up the Eggmoggin Reach. The wind was blowing just forward of the beam and we had a great 15 mile run. About a third of the way in all the lobster pots stopped so it was great sailing not having to worry about that.We sailed into Buck’s Harbor and got a mooring for the night. We really needed to get rid of trash and take showers!! This is the last night of the CD cruise so we are headed out to dinner in town.