Skip to main content

Not Half Bad

Image
By

Good morning everyone. We had quite the ride out of Blue Hill Bay
yesterday. With the apparent wind around 35 knots steady we were
thankful for the the deep reef in the main sail. We were just flying
at 10.6 knots with the few sails we had set. In no time at all we
were anchored in the village at Isle Au Haut.

Isle Au Haut is one of my favorites. Sharing that anchorage with
guests feels like real privilege.
We had a couple hours to hike in the park and explore the village.
The church there high above the harbor overlooks the Camden Hills.
Inspiration is not difficult to find in the simple hardwood pews and
stained glass windows. Coyotes have made their presence know there
recently. Last Fall we saw one swim across the Thorofare. The deer
are actually a sub-species of white tail that are genetically smaller
from having evolved to the limited food supply the island affords. I
have camped on Isle Au Haut many nights and cherish my sense of the
place. Of course I feel that way about all of the Maine coast but
some spots just sit a little closer to my heart.

Yesterday we sailed off shore to see the puffins at Seal Island.
They were there but not nearly as numerous as in past years. We
wondered whether scheduling a puffin cruise while the puffins were
nesting was such a good idea. You see... they nest in burrows
underground. You need real specially binoculars to see through the
granite ledge. Still we got our fill of puffins and many terns and
auks. The northerly wind that carried us offshore so effortlessly
came onshore just as we reached the Seal Island and carried us right
back in to the light at Owls Head. Not half bad I say... not half bad!

Have a great day. Be well. Do good.

Comments

Unknown said…
Sunday, June 22.

Fair winds and following seas to my friend and normal sailing partner Alabama Al. He should be boarding today for a great trip with his new camera and lenses.

Bring back some great photos, Al.

Ed
June 22, 2008 at 12:14 PM
Anonymous said…
Isle Au Haut is magical! We remember that coyote, the crisp fall air, and the beauty of simple vows exchanged in the serene little church on the hill.
Thank you, Captain, for sharing this place -- the privilege was ours.
July 8, 2008 at 2:09 PM
Post a Comment

Popular posts from this blog

Hail Mary

By
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...
28 comments
Read more

We are Nuts

By
Good morning everyone. Well I just had to say it before you did. Yes, we are truly nuts. Now we have gone and added one more adventure to our already full lives. As you can see she is some cunnin'. We have named her Colby. We had a sign... literally. We were in the car brainstorming names on the way to get her at WalMart (yes, you heard it right) and there at the Waterville exit was a sign for Colby College. Colby just happens to be dear Mary's alma mater. It is also the name of one of my favorite ledges in Jericho Bay, the Colby Pup. It just seemed to fit just like the way she came to us. Nothing about our Sunday was going to be different than any other except that I just happened to be helping a friend get her generator back in the barn while Jen and the kids met her new puppy Sherman. They fell in love... so easy to do. We called and there were had two pups from the same litter available... no commitments yet. We had been having the long family debate for weeks about the k...
11 comments
Read more

Darkness and Light

By
Good morning everyone. OK, so this blog does not have a whole lot to do with schooners or windjammers or sailing vacations so if you want to leave now I will not be offended. Today is the winter solstice, as you know, the shortest amount of daylight in our calendar year here in the northern hemisphere. Of course it is the summer solstice on the other side of the equator. So I guess if you wanted to celebrate the summer solstice you wouldn't be at all in the wrong. I would applaud your ability to see outside the box. Map from Wikipedia commons Living and sailing in the mid latitudes (remember, Maine is half way to the North Pole) as we do, we experience a balance that spans a year's time, maybe many years' time. To feel the darkness of winter creeping quietly into our homes is not as bad it may appear from the outside. This is our season to rest... emotionally if not physically. We know it takes more physical energy to live and work here in winter. But when the sun goes down...
6 comments
Read more