Cool in the Islands

Good morning everyone. You are not really going to want to hear
this. While most folks ashore are enjoying(?) hazy, hot, and humid
conditions we are out on the bay surrounded by islands with a cool
breeze. I am terrible in heat and humidity. I wilt like a delicate
flower. We could actually see the heat rising off the land and every
time we sailed in to the lee of the land the heat was just
oppressive. So I was thankful for the opportunity to don a wind breaker.

Life in the islands is very good. The heat rising from the land
yesterday generated a vigorous onshore breeze. We were tearing along
at better the 9 knots at times yesterday. Tacking through the Pond
Island Passage between Blue Hill and Jericho Bays was just awesome.

We are seeing tons of jellyfish these days. Burnt Coat Harbor was
teaming with them and the anchorage here in Brooklin has numerous
jellies drifting and swimming along in the tide. The kids are
fascinated by the tiny babies. While most of the jellyfish are
harmless Moon jellies we managed to snag a red Lion's Mane, the sting
of which can really smart. They can grow to be really big, the
largest around here for sure and we do catch a fascinating glimpse of
one every once in a while .

We are going to take advantage of the calm this morning to explore
one of the local islands and have our lobster picnic at noon. I
think I over-bought on lobster again. Darn. Good thing I don't mind
eating leftovers.

Have a great day. Be well. Do good.

Comments

Hail Mary

My heart is heavy with sadness as I write this particular blog. Since the beginning of August our dear friend and cook for the last 12 years, Mary Barney, had been struggling with cancer. I have intentionally respected Mary’s privacy and I apologize to you for not sharing any news about Mary’s health sooner. On Monday afternoon Mary passed away very peacefully at home, surrounded by friends and “family”. Her departure was as graceful as the rest of her life. Many people, including Jen, have been doing heroic work to support Mary these last few weeks. Oddly enough Mary was never very excited about transitions though this was about the fastest transition she ever made. And as I struggle to let go of Mary I realize I am terrible with transitions as well. We used to joke about how we liked things just the way they are, thank you very much, so why change what is working already even if it might be less labor intensive. Hard works is its own reward. I used to joke about getting Mary a Cui...

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A Golden Windjammer Anniversary

Happy Birthday Mary Day! 50 years ago today Mary Day slid out of the shed at the Harvey F. Gamage Shipyard in South Bristol, Maine marking the beginning of a whole new chapter in the history of the windjammer fleet. The Gamage yard had not launched a schooner since 1933 and Mary Day was the first commercial coasting schooner launched since 1938. That also makes her the first commercial coasting schooner launched in the second half of the 20th century and the first schooner ever launched for the windjammer passenger trade. There may be a few more firsts in there but that doesn't really matter. What is most important about this celebration is the fact that Mary Day was launched today and began her career touching the lives of thousands of people. This schooner was built by people, for people and has never done anything else but bring joy to peoples lives. She has become a legendary windjammer here along the Maine coast as part of the largest fleet of commercial coasting schooners...

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