Just a little side note. The Eastport Breakwater Dock collapsed this winter. The estimated time line for the dock to be repaired is two years. If you zoom in on the picture you will note two fellows sitting on chairs at the end of the dock. We were told these guys are NOAA employees. Their job is to spot seals. If a seal is spotted within 200 yards of the dock, all work is to cease for 30 minutes. Apparently some sort of noise violation that disturbs the seals. If you have been in the Passamaquoddy Bay you will know that the Bay is full of seals....not sure how much work they get done on the breakwater on a daily basis but you can bet it will take much longer than 2 years to complete!
We eased the boat off the dock and glided toward the Lubec bridge. The tide had changed and there was just a small ripple of surface wave in the Bay and a good push through the Lubec Narrows. We zipped under the bridge and stuck our nose out into the Atlantic. We were prepared to tough out bigger waves so we could get going before we got socked in with more fog, but to our surprise and relief we encountered waves of 1 foot and a small swell. The wind and tide were pushing us toward Mount Desert Island. The sun was shining and Beth was grinning from ear to ear.
Finally, the break in weather we had been waiting for and for once the weather gurus erred in our favor.
Lubec/Campobello Bridge
Leaving Lubec
We took the local lobstermen's advice and took a course of 225 deg. after rounding sail rock, then after 3 miles, 245 deg toward Southwest Harbour. This kept us 3 to 4 miles offshore and we avoided having to dodge the multitude of lobster traps inshore....that is until we closed in on SW Harbour. There it began...the Lobster trap shuffle...a dance we would have to continue all the way up Somes Sound and probably all the way out of Maine.
If you look at a map of Mount Desert Island, you will see a narrow crack up the middle. It's like some giant took a big axe and struck the island dead center. Indeed, struck it down to, in some places 200 feet. Somes Sound is the only fijord on the East Coast and it is spectacular. Enveloped by straight rocky cliffs and evergreen covered slopes one can relax in a well protected harbor and enjoy the natural surroundings. Spencer and Sophie, our two Yorkies sat high in the helm seats with their noses in the air, sniffing the changing aromas.
In the evening we enjoyed fresh Caesar's salad with Salmon steaks on the barbie, chased with ice cold beer. Adding to the serenity of the place, two loons called back and forth as we tucked in and drifted off to sleep.
Getting up at 4:30 a.m. has its advantages. As the light begins to dawn over the cliffs of the fijord we could hear the world come to life. First the song birds, than the crows and finally we heard the seagulls plaintiff cry. Topping all this, two seals entertained us by gliding around the anchored boats looking for their breakfast.
It was time to relax and enjoy the fruits of our labors getting Doc's Holiday prepared for the trip back to Florida.
The only issue we had with the boat was the barbecue. I had to hold the regulator down continuously or the flame would go out. We would stop in Southwest Harbour and get a new regulator in the morning.
No comments:
Post a Comment