Monday, July 23, 2012

Blame Maine

It's not my fault.

You can blame Maine. 
It's HER fault for my long absence!  Just look at that view!  
Such a distraction right there in my back yard!

But, alas, we have returned home to Philly, but then again, that view ain't so bad either!
And that will be a post for another day.  Today, I want to share a rare treat we got to experience this past Saturday before we left Maine.

Our Maine home overlooks Rockport Harbor where Rockport Marine resides.  Over the past three years, they have been restoring an 88 year old 83-foot schooner, Adventuress, that was originally built in Scotland.  Of course, I wasn't aware of this until Saturday when we noticed a crowd gathering in the harbor.  So we trotted ourselves down there, camera in hand of course, to see what was up.

And were we ever in for a treat.  It was the launching of the Adventuress! 



Three large trucks were involved in slowly backing her down the ramp.


The precision of this task just astounded me and I was sorry that I had missed this 70+ ton boat being hauled out of the marina, across a small bridge and down to the park's town ramp a few days earlier.
You can read about that move Here.


It had to be a nerve wrenching task!
 It was for me just watching them back the boat
down the ramp towards what seemed like not enough deep water nor space to pivot the boat
once it was released.


After they had everything lined up, we waited.

We all waited ... for high tide.  
















At 12:30, the tide was as high as it was going to get.
It was time to launch and all were in their places.

 The Adventuress slowly entered the water ...


 slowly ...

 until she finally floats free!  
A roar of applause broke out and canons were fired!
It was awesome!

 But then, it was time to rotate her

 and it seemed there was just enough room.
Whew!

 Isn't she a beautiful boat!

 And I got to watch her first departure from our harbor sitting right there on my front porch!

 See?  
How can a girl get any blogging done with activities and scenes like these!


I hope to catch up with all of you soon and see what's been
going on in your neck of the woods.  
I've missed you!


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