Bucks Harbour Here We Come

We’re finally off to parts unknown! Today we leave Northeast Harbour and head down Eggemoggin Reach to Bucks Harbour which is located at the other end of the Reach. We’ll be sailing under the bridge which always makes me nervous, but it’s 65 ft. high, so I know we’ll be fine. (plus, we did it back in 1991 and our mast hasn’t grown an inch since then – hahaha). The last time we stayed in Benjamin River on a guest mooring of s/v Mermaid.
It should bring back fond memories of our time here with Serge & Lise when they were quite young. Looking back, I guess I was quite adventuresome in my younger days too. We came to Maine with two small kids and no buddy boat and didn’t think twice about it.

Raring to Go

Well, good news. I think Radical Jack is all fixed! The fellow came aboard this morning and had the gearbox out and a new one in, in no time flat! Pete still has to take her out for a spin just to confirm all is well. It's a little breezy today, so we'll probably stay here one more day then tomorrow we set off on a new adventure.

The Captains will discuss where a good place to make landfall will be (according to the winds) and then we'll set sail sometime tomorrow - probably morning. A nice little anchorage would be the order of the day - maybe in Eggomoggin Reach. We'll see...

Maybe a little visit to the Tan Turtle Tavern today for a little lunch will be in the plans. The food there is great and there's lots of it. The menu is enormous. I had a Bread Melt appetizer the other day and brought most of it back to the boat for lunch the next day. Talk about huge portions!!!!! They also have interesting "cold" drinks. I had a Chocolate Freeze. It consists of Godiva chocolate liquor, Cherry Brandy and ice cream. It came topped with whipped cream and a cherry - a spiked milkshake!!!! Yummy!

Well, it's shower time, so that's it for today. Don't know when I can pick up internet again - might be a few days. I'll be in touch when I can.

Southwest Harbour

This morning we set off to Southwest Harbour to have the injector on the engine fixed. It was seeping this black stuff so it needed to be looked at. A very nice fellow at Downeast Diesel took it all apart and repaired it quite easily. We also purchased a couple of more filters for the trip. Then we headed back to Northeast Harbour and our mooring.

Pete's having a new gearbox installed tomorrow morning, then is having the boat hauled out of the water so he can tighten his stern gland. Then we'll both be good to go on Thursday for parts as yet undetermined.

Albert is gone to find something fresh for supper which we will have with the fresh veggies we brought with us compliments of Henri & Ann. We always manage to eat well while on TipToe. But then, we always manage to eat well anywhere!!!!!!!

Northeast Harbour pictures

Northeast Harbour, Maine

Albert & I set off to explore by using the free bus service. We went to Southwest Harbour to find a West Marine store - which we did. You'll all be happy to note that we are doing a lot of walking - OK it was only a little walk (15 minutes both ways to the store), but it's a start!!!! Then we had to wait for the next bus, so since we were early we stopped off for ice cream for me and a coffee and blueberry pie for Albert.

The bus we took couldn't get us to Northeast Harbour so we had to transfer to another one which happened to be going half way up Cadillac Mountain, so we got a really nice tour. The bus drivers are really nice - you tell them where you want to go and they tell you where to get off to catch a connecting bus and how long you have to wait. You won't believe this, but both times our bus stop was at the Mount Desert High School - how ironic for Papa. And school here begins on Monday for teachers. He said he doesn't miss it a bit!!!!!!!

The little stores here are quite expensive. I saw a little green container of teeny, tiny blueberries that cost $11.50. I think we'll wait on that... Pete's gear box is kaput again - and after only 26 hours of use. He's a little peeved and will call the place he bought it and see what they can do and how fast he can get a new one. So we're here for a few more days. But what a great place to get stuck in. The people are very friendly and helpful.

Guess today's going to be a relaxing, do nothing day. Maybe a walk about the town. I did see a place that had ice cream....Yummmmm.

The Journey Begins

As the song goes…Looks like we made it! Here we are in Northeast Harbour, Maine. Arrived around 5:00 am, but took our time until it got light because of all of those #$%@$# toggle buoys. I stood on the bow for an hour or so spot-lighting them with my little $3.00 LED flashlight. The great big 10 million candle power one lasted all of 5 minutes. Anyway, we’re here and it’s sunny and we’re waiting for Customs to come.

Now for the crossing last night…well, you all know how bad my spatial perception is in daylight – well it’s a lot worse in the dark. Needless to say, after only one mini-meltdown, things went well. The seas were relatively calm with little wind. The Bonamine worked superbly! I’d recommend it to anyone.

Radical Jack is tied alongside us because we both took private moorings this morning – we just wanted to tie on to something when we got in. We’re now situated and all is well. Well…almost…Pete’s having a little engine trouble (same as before) and our holding tank won’t flush. But other than that, everything’s just fine…hahahahahah!

Minor glitches – can’t put a damper on our enthusiasm. We’ll all feel better once we can get ashore and have a shower. I’m sure anyone downwind of us will feel the same…

Til next time…

Deep Cove

Deep Cove…From Big Gooseberry we motored to Deep Cove, Tusket Islands. An uneventful crossing – thick fog though. The buoys at Pease Island were interesting – they weren’t in the same place they were last time, but we made it through without mishap. Tied up to Philip Atkinson’s dock at Deep Cove. Philip turned up shortly after we arrived and very graciously offered to move his own boat to another floating dock so that we could stay there. Can’t thank him enough. Philip was more than generous to us for the three days we were there…joined us for a drink or two and the last night went and got Rejeanne and brought her out for the evening.

Looks like tomorrow (Thursday) will be the crossing day. Everyone is in agreement that the conditions are perfect so I guess we’ll go. I’m a little nervous about the crossing, but I’ll get over it. As Albert says, “Where’s your sense of adventure?” So, 8:00 am is departure time…next stop – Northeast Harbour, Maine.

We're Still Here!

Well, here we are, Sunday morning and still in Pubnico. We've been having conflicting weather reports - then a strong wind warning. This little chickie ain't going nowhere if it's really windy - especially in the middle of the Gulf of Maine. So...Plan B.

Looks like we'll go to the Tusket Islands for a couple of days, then continue on to perhaps Briar Island, Grand Manan and take the scenic route. Just had an eye-witness report (thanks Connie) that apparently in Mass. it's sunny in the morning and thunder & lightning in the afternoon. So, I guess we'll just play it safe and the weather will determine when and how long we sail each day.

I don't think I can get internet on the Tusket Islands, so I'll sign off on the computer for a few days and just use the cell phone. We have Albert's cell if someone needs to reach us.

Anxious to get going...SOMEWHERE! hahaha\

Ready to set sail

Well, the time has come. We've said most of our farewells and are ready to begin our great adventure of sailing to the Bahamas. A special thank you to all of our family and friends who have wished us well and gave us a great send-off. The Bon Voyage party was a hoot!

Tomorrow we head off to the Tusket Islands and hope to leave for Bar Harbor on Sunday morning. This first leg is the longest and worst (according to me). I have never liked overnight passages, but this time we'll have Radical Jack at our side so at least I'll see some lights in the middle of the Gulf. You all know how hard it is to wake up the Captain, so I think I'll make him sleep in the cockpit beside me throughout the night. At least then I can just kick start him awake...

The next time I write I will (hopefully) be in Bar Harbor, Maine and tell about the crossing. Til then, love you all and I'm missing you already...

Myrna

Bon voyage party