Saturday, August 9, 2014

Maine ... island time

 I'm sitting on our deck overlooking the harbor.  It's a beautiful August morning.  The pups peacefully watch as lobster boats come and go and the finches feed below.  A quiet moment.  It has been a busy summer up here in Maine.  We've had a number of visitors, a good number of puppy training classes, and lots and lots of doggy walks.  All of which I hope to share at some point.  But today, I thought I'd share our recent boat trip to Swan Island.  Our first of exploring the further islands of Penobscot Bay. The boat trip was put together by Rockport Yacht Club and about 8 boats from the club made the journey for the several day event.   We followed our friends who charted an excellent course for us.


Of course, we had to board the pups.  It would be their first experience with boarding and it was hard to leave my babies behind.  That's Harry above, giving me the stink eye.

It is amazing how much work it is to load a boat up for a journey.  Blankets and more blankets for chilly Maine evenings.  Food and more food in case you get fogged in.  Fleece and rain gear and sweaters for layering.  And of course chargers.  One must not run out of power for the iPad and iPhones!  We'd be lost without our Garmin BlueCharts.

It was a beautiful day to journey over to Swans Island.  We arrived in Burnt Coat Harbor mid-afternoon.  About a three and a half hour journey from Rockport.

 On the opening day of the Sweet Chariot Music Festival, 
the performers motored around the cove 
and serenaded all of us in the harbor.  


 It was delightful!



That evening we walked about a mile to the community center, 
passing a couple of lemonade/cookie stands with kids raising money for the local lighthouse care.  
The event has been held annually for the past 20 some years 
with many looking forward to it with great anticipation.
I sat next to a woman who has been coming all the way from Ohio
for the past 7 years!

Truly fascinating was the artist who was painting the backdrop scenery.  
It is done every year with an artist working each evening on the art piece, 
finishing it the last night to be auctioned off.


I have been to a lot of musical events but I don't believe I have ever been to one 
where the performers put so much heart and fun into their art.
We must do this again!


Come the third morning when we were to depart, 
we were greeted with rain and heavy fog.  
But by 8:30 a.m. it had lifted enough for a safe return.
And for some interesting photos.












We made a stop in the quaint little town of North Haven.  
Definitely a place to go back for more photos! 



So many cute houses and lawns 
and front porches!



By the time we were nearing Rockport again, 
the fog and clouds had totally cleared,
allowing me to capture this beautiful schooner.


I'm hoping not to be so neglectful of my blog going forward.
Harry and Lucy have been such a handful
and my camera has sat in its bag so much this summer.
Time to change that!

Hope your summer has been going well!
Later, my friends,