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The Second Mouse

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Good morning everyone. Greetings from Smith Cove, just across from
the lovely town of Castine where stately elms line the streets.
Wednesday, Castine was bustling with activity. The schooner Bowdoin
just arrived home from a 5,000 mile voyage and a fleet of classic
wooden racing yachts were gathered for the race to Camden that
happened yesterday. We had a sleepy day yesterday with rain showers
off and on during the afternoon and not much shut-eye from having
stayed up 'til midnight at the Sweet Chariot Folk Festival which by
all accounts was great. We even had the extra bonus of the Sweet
Charioteers coming aboard Mary Day Wednesday afternoon and sharing a
bonus performance as the Hollywood cameras were rolling. Naps were
welcomed whole-heartedly yesterday afternoon. It really was a perfect
day in many ways… not too hard on the senses, a light south easterly
wind, and gentle sailing down the Eggemmoggin Reach.

In the back of my mind I figured we might get to Buck's Harbor for
the night. The showers were just ending around 4 o'clock and several
other boats were anchoring up in the east side of the harbor. I took
a turn in with anchor ready to drop. Things just felt too tight for
me so at the last minute and I decided to head off for parts
unknown. It was about that time that the sun brightened the skies
and we enjoyed a lovely motor sail around to where we are presently
parked for the night. The beautiful part is that Smith Cove is quite
empty at a time of summer when I would expect many yachts holed up
here. Even Castine is relatively empty today. The yachts are back in
full force here on the Maine coast driving some of us crazy. The
radio is a constant cacophony of banter representing a wide variety
of skill and etiquette. But none of that is here today. Just
quiet. Our dear mentor the Major used to say that the lord works in
strange and mysterious ways. I have to constantly remind myself of
this. My heart sank in Buck's Harbor yesterday only to be filled
with joy to have found Smith Cove empty and as lovely as ever.
Porpoise have been circling close in around the boat this morning
showing us their dorsal fins. We can hear them breathing as the
surface, a light fog lying low on the water. It is difficult to
remember sometimes that while the early bird may get the worm it is
the second mouse that gets the cheese.

Have a great day. Be well. Do good.

Comments

Unknown said…
Okay, I've waited two days for someone other than "Special" Ed to ask about the "Hollywood cameras rolling". You can't just throw out a teaser like that and let it lie there. What was the deal? Is the Mary Day about to become a Hollywood star? I think she has a heart of oak not Hollywood. In fact I think it would be very difficult to build a schooner of Hollywood, wouldn't you?
August 3, 2008 at 5:38 PM
Michele B said…
Mary Day is a star, and in our hearts she shines more brilliantly than any queen of the silver screen. A movie can never capture all of the beauty, mystery, and sheer joy that she represents. You have to experience, first hand, the joy of sailing on the Mary Day for a week. Our dear Captain's descriptions do a good job. I read his missives, then close my eyes, and the noise of the office go away. I'm no longer in a small cubicle. It's early morning and I'm standing on the deck. A mist drapes the shoreline, and a slightly chilly breeze caresses the air. The water laps gently against the side of the boat. Below deck, you can hear a flurry of activity. Breakfast is being prepared. But where I stand, all is peaceful. I wrap my hands around a mug of coffee and sigh! I'm back within the warm embrace of the beautiful Mary Day. Can you tell I am counting the days until I sail again? Hollywood can never capture the experience. You have to live it.
August 4, 2008 at 7:46 AM
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