Good morning everyone. We enjoyed quite the sail yesterday. The
weather was mostly cloudy all day with rain holding off until late
afternoon. We put down 36 miles in about 5 1/2 hours. You do the
math but including our slow start out of Camden and some calm winds
north of North Haven we spent the better part of the day reeling off 9
+ knots. The amazing part is that here in the bay there are no
waves. One guest commented about how there was no big ocean swell as
you might find in other places. We anchored in the afternoon with
thunderstorms looming near on the horizon but managed to get the
sails furled and the awnings set with alacrity. In a few short hours
the rain had ended and games by the cozy fire was welcomed after dinner.
It is amazing to think that our season is half way through already.
The weeks just fly by. 
According to the log we have sailed about
1600 miles so far this summer. That is quite good considering that
we have not been across the Bass Harbor Bar into the heart of Mt.
Desert yet. I was gunning for it yesterday but the weather had other
ideas.
When I tell folks that we move to the rhythm of wind and tide I
really mean it. I often get the response, "Oh, you know where we are
going..." Many folks initially can't believe how Zen this sailing
thing is. Every time I try to make a plan the universe seems to
laugh and have its own way. I generally find that pushing back does
not work too well. If I had pushed yesterday I would have found
myself managing a strong 180 degree wind shift in the middle of the
narrow Western Way entrance to Mt Desert. So I am humbled each and
every day. Wouldn't it be nice to have control? Or would it? Not to
say that I am a victim of the universe. The point is this: sailing
forces one to respond to a bunch of uncontrollable factors and the
only thing I can control is how I use those factors to get 36 people
safely from point A to point B, wherever that might take us. And in
the end, everywhere we get to is good.
Have a great day. Be well. Do good.
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