Maine

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I have made it to Maine after cruising nearly 1,600 nautical miles.  I cannot believe that I am actually cruising the coast of Maine.  It is absolutely beautiful and it is truly a special place.  The coastline changes dramatically as you pass Boston and continue North.  The sandy beaches and bluffs along the Coast from the Long Island area north and east give way to a more rocky coastline and then when you hit Maine the rocky shore and seascape is dramatic.  It is unlike any of the other coastal areas that I have passed through on my way here.  It would take a geo-scientist (which I'm not - to explain the change in the coastline - but take my word for it - it is really something to see and experience.



I have mentioned the term 'gunkholing' before in my blog but Maine must really be the Capital of Gunkholing.  There are literally countless places to anchor the boat.  You can choose from a harbor with a nearby town, or you can find a secluded spot where you are totally alone and won't see another person or another boat - and anything in between.  Oh, and did I mention lobster.  Lobster is significant to the entire northeastern coast but nothing like here in Maine.  The lobstermen are working hard at their craft and as a cruising sailor I am not able to take my eyes off the water.  There are areas where the lobster pots are so dense on the water that you have to pick your way through them as you're sailing.  My auto-pilot has gotten a good rest and I've been self steering...  but - knock on wood I have not snagged a lawb-sta-pawt in the propeller  - yet!





Marine life is also amazing and different since I got to Maine.  The sea-birds are unique to this area and there is a wide variety of them.  Bald Eagles soar overhead near some of the remote islands.  They nest at the top of the evergreen trees which grow abundantly on the islands.  The other day I saw a bald eagle swoop down, catch a fish, and return to her nest to feed her chicks...  amazing.

I have also seen sea otters whose black heads and big eyes bob on the surface of the water and as the boat cruises by they dive back below the surface.  Their big fat lazy cousins - sea lions - can be seen basking themselves in the sun on a rocky outcrop.

And lastly, I've seen several whales.  I've seen a couple different types of whales.  Quite a few small ones not much bigger than dolphin.  But the other day I saw a whale that was roughly 2/3 the size of the boat or nearly 20 feet long.  It swam by right in front of the boat.  Spectacular.

It is tough to describe the Maine experience in words - so I'll leave it at that.  And, I'll share a few pictures.  I'll be in Maine til mid-September.  I'm told that is the latest I should stay here before turning back unless 'I want to be a winter resident here'...  not a bad idea...

Maine is so unique that when you arrive by sailing around Cape Ann you're greeted not by 1 but by 2 twin sister lighthouses...  notice the rocky base of peninsula...



Here's a view of a really nice marina I stayed at and it's working lobster boats...


But it's anchorages like this that make Maine special...




Here's a view from one of the hikes I took on one of the islands where I anchored...



This picture gives you a feel for the rocky nature of the landscape...


While it's rocky there is also natural, native, beautiful plant life...


This video will help give you an idea of what I'm describing...


Never take sunset for granted...


The moon was rising on the opposite shore of the sunset picture above at the same time...


Oh, and did I mention lawb-sta-pawts...





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