August 12-17 , 2014 Fairhaven MA to Portland ME

08/12:  Away at 1320 with Joe & Bev Gracia on board for several days.  Plan is to cruise north to and along the Maine coast until Sunday when one of their kids will pick them up for their return to Mattapoisett.  This is a great plan, but already we have modified it to accommodate nasty weather (rain, winds gusting to 35, seas 3 -5/4-6 feet) forecast for tonight & tomorrow.  Change consists of ducking into a Marina near Sandwich MA at the north end of Buzzards Bay.  Arrived Sandwich Marina at 1730 (31 miles later) at the east end of the Cape Code Canal (shortcut from Buzzards Bay to Cape Cod Bay).  Were settled in to slip by 1800. We were joined by Bob & Madeline Vreeland, Gold Loopers, crew of the Betty-L, and long time area residents, for docktails aboard followed by fine dinner at local Irish Pub.  Was a delightful reunion and, for sure, if Sandwich were on the Loop these two would be Harbor Hosts.                                Bonnie: Everyone says the best part of “Looping” are the people you meet and friendships made along the way-townsfolk and fellow Loopers. Agree plus we seem to have so many good friends along the way that sharing time with them on and off the Elissa II has been another gift! In 1968 the Army introduced Beve and me and here we are 46 years later sharing spouses and close quarters on a boat in New England!! We first met the Betty L going through the Fish Gates on the Illinois River in Sept 2012 and last cruised together just north of St Augustine on the ICW in June 2013!! The evening was spent sharing memories, laughs and recommended anchorages and villages in Maine.             Bob and Madeline very generously loaned us their car for “touring” the next day.

Modest home on Acushnet River Inlet to New Bedford

Hurrican Gates

Entering Cape Cod Canal

Canal Lift Bridge

08/13:  Lay Day at Sandwich, pre-planned yesterday based upon rotten weather forecast (up to 4” of rain, winds up to 35 mph, seas 4 6’).  Reality is that rain mostly ended by 0900 (but began again in earnest mid afternoon) but wind and waves, if anything are already greater than forecast…a good day to stay tucked in.                               Bonnie: Late morning we went over to visit the Cape Cod Canal Museum—history and current operation was very interesting. Beve and I then spent the afternoon visiting the Heritage House and gardens. One exhibit was Josiah Lily III’s Antique Car Collection-beautiful vehicles spanning @1904-1953. In addition to the history of the car, also included was a brief description of events, $$ and cultural stats of the time. The next exhibit was “Wicked Plants”—a very well done traveling inter-active exhibit of dangerous plants…but not interactive enough to cause illness and death by the visitor!! The gardens were lovely but not fully appreciated as the rains began as we went between exhibits so we didn’t linger. We enjoyed a wonderful dinner of scallops and shrimp at Bob and Madeline’s home—hope we can cruise again together. We are “tempting” them with Lake Superior in 2016!!!

08/14:  Left Sandwich at 0810 for a long (72 mile) run to Plum Island, about 5 miles up on the Ipswich River, Just north of Gloucester MA.  Was a fine day for a cruise, warm, sunny, bright blue sky and deep blue water.  Arrived at 1600 and were on the hook in 12 .5 feet of water at 1610.  Dinghied Jada to beach for a romp etc, then back aboard for docktails and delicious Blue Cheese Burgers + veggies.  The excitement began a bit later when we realized that the ebbing tide was dropping us further that posted in the tide table (2-3 feet less) and exacerbated by the fact that I failed to anticipate a 5+ knot tidal current that moved our position into already shallower water.  Bottom line was; we were hard aground on the only flat space in a tennis court sized patch of rocks of varying degrees of size & sharpness that was the only such patch within 50 – 100 yards.  We spent a couple of uncomfortable/interesting hours while the boat sat on the bottom with a 45 degree list to port, clutching hand holds to keep from falling to the low side and possibly over the side.  By 2230 the now rising tide had floated us off with no damage.  Then off to bed. Bonnie: OMG!! We were enjoying such a peaceful evening, our dinner and each other when Joe and I-on the “high” side, commented on a list to port. Beve looks over her side and comments, “oh I can see the bottom”! Yikes---then we seemed to very swiftly go from list to lean to “there’s no more water!”  The rocks kept us nicely positioned at 45degrees. Joe walked around the boat taking pictures of the hull. The reviews of this anchorage said there were fun tidal pools to enjoy---unfortunately at 2200 hrs and questioning what would happen when the tide came in, killed any interest to explore. The tide came in about as fast as it went out. The Elissa II creaked and emitted new sounds as we were fortunately floated off the rocks, scraping parts of the hull. Will be interesting to see the bottom when pulled for the winter.

No, Jada, we are NOT listing, you just got into Bill's scotch!

Joe's stance to stay upright to do galley chores!

Joe beginning his walk on Joe's Rocks

Port side waterline

Stern

Starboard Bow Thrusters

Joe's rocks as they reappear as the AM tide goes out. We anchored east of those rocks in 12 ft of water; receding tide swung us onto them--lessons learned re: anchoring in New England: consider winds AND TIDAL CURRENT!

08/15:  Away at 0810 on the way to Saco ME on the Saco River.  Very nice morning with blue skies, long gentle swells of 4-5 feet, mild breeze.  Was a fairly long day (72 miles and 8.5 hours) with a stop for ice (and dog walk) at local Marina.  Were on a mooring ball by 1630 under a now partly cloudy sky.  Noteworthy…a fierce current of over 5 kts during ebb tides.  Bonnie: At 0530 Bill had us up and reanchoring  the Elissa II in deeper waters. By the time we left the tide was again on the way out and as “our rocks” surfaced, we certainly had located the one nearby bed of rocks!! Our anchorage on the Saco River was more like a lake surrounded by marsh. Having now understood why there are soooo many mooring balls in Maine, we readily grabbed one of the 3 free balls provided in this anchorage downstream from Saco. Grilled chicken and sautéed veggies with rice in garlic lemon sauce. Closed the evening with a game of Farkle.

                                         

08/16:  Lay Day.  Locale was simply too delightful to leave without an additional day to savor it. A great, laid back day to enjoy with Beve & Joe.                                                       Bonnie: “Our” marsh was surrounded with hills on one side and rocky cliffs on the other. After lunch we dinghied up river to Saco. Tied up at the Saco Yacht Club and walked to Reny’s—a Maine department store with EVERYTHING!!!!  We replenished our supply of propane canisters for the grill and outboard motor, purchased Maine Maple Syrup Bourbon Barbeque Sauce and another back pack to carry everything in!! We then walked around in a couple circles trying to locate Yelp recommended  ice cream—non-existent-then one recommended by a local-well worth the wandering! Former Mill towns, Saco and Biddeford (across the river) are enjoying resurgence. Both are well within a nice commute to Portland. We walked by several inviting shops, which Beve plans to revisit someday. Shopping was not on 50% of this group’s agenda!! Grilled steaks ala the MMSBB Sauce(yum) and pan roasted potatoes and vegs. Again ended the evening with another game of Farkle.

08/17: Off at 0915 for a short (25 mile) cruise to Portland ME.  Gentle breeze, smooth seas, with swells that even got to me and great scenery marked the way.  In slip at South Port Marina at 1300.  Were met a half hour or so later by the Gracia’s daughter & family, Beve’s transportation home and Joe’s to their Camp where he has the usual “projects”.  Following photo ops & goodbyes, we spent the rest of the afternoon on laundry, never ending boat clean up & maintenance.   Bonnie: As we left our mooring, we stopped at the small Marina downstream—for ice and Jada walking. Spent quite a bit of time visiting with the owner-he had stories - we had stories - he wrote a book of Maine Camp experiences - we bought the book – we shared emails. Again a new Looper friend!! An anticipated highlight of the day was rounding Cape Elizabeth and viewing the picturesque-and necessary-Portland Head Lighthouse.  As we entered Portland Harbor we coincided with the start of Lobster and Tug Boat races! Rather exciting and fortunately we were not crossing the Harbor but heading for South Portland. Beve and Joe are troopers-our floating BnB is small-as mentioned before; it took 3 of the 5 nights to discover the best arrangement of the inflatable air bed in the cockpit. First night Joe rolled off onto the deck when Beve got up. Our 45 degree list required a different bed alignment or both would roll off. Voila, this worked; both said they slept well and just maybe they’ll be up for another short cruise!

SACO RIVER MOORING

Ever hopeful.......

Saco River 

Ohoh--won't start! Quickly fixed!!

Biddeford, ME

Beautiful wooden kayak

Kayaks with their own "railway"

Portland Head Light

Lobster Boat Races Celebrators!!!

Molly and Jack--Beve's grandchildren

                                          

08/17:  Lay Day to replenish the larder & see the sights of downtown Portland.   .  

Bonnie: We had originally hoped to be at a marina in historic area of downtown Portland. But it was full. So we opted for South Port Marine—was a good choice. We were a quick bike ride to grocery and hardware stores. Once those items were stowed we then rode across the Casco Bay Bridge into Portland-15 min. Initial stop was at Micucci’s, an Italian grocery store recommended by Melissa from their May visit. The Sicilian Slab was her recommendation for yummy pizza---yes yummy and a bit different: thick light puffy crust, great sauce and little cheese. We then rode down to the waterfront and along the “tourist walk” of shops and resturants, restaurants, restaurants! Am not sure I have seen so many within so few blocks. Again 50% of “my group of two” was patiently strolling his bike along with me, obviously more anxious to return to the Marina than me. A no brainer choice-Bill returned to Elissa II and I hopped on one of the City Tour Fire Engines for a tour of Portland! Am glad I did, learned interesting trivia tidbits and enough to more fully appreciate the city.  The “tour rep” watched my bike for me and complemented me upon my return with how clever it was to fold up and thus stow easily. I thanked him and hopped on and got about ¾ of a block away and as I was starting to cross a street the handlebars folded down, fortunately down and sideways to the left with me following sideways under it. Am sure everyone got a laugh (no offers to help) of this “mature” woman scrambling in the crosswalk to figure out how to get out from under a continuing to fold bike. After I safely got back on a sidewalk and quit mumbling,  “What the !##**##@#!”,  the light bulb went off. I do believe the tour rep enjoyed discovering how it folded but neglected the final front latch!! Fortunately no injuries.

Pictures of Portland are on my phone's memory card which has had a "mishap"-will post once I can marry up Google+ with iPhoto!!!