Sept. 21, 2026 Back to Boothbay Harbor - Heading Home

 Monday Sept. 21, 2026  Southwest Harbor to Boothbay Harbor 82 miles and 7.9 hours

Brother Bill's wedding is over so time to start heading back south. Weather for the past week has been ideal for traveling south.  Getting ready to change significantly as we're looking at a potential Nor'easter forming later in the week with significant winds and waves.  But Monday was a decent day.  Had some rain overnight Sunday but gone before we woke up at 6AM.  Cool morning.  50's.  First day of fall and it's feeling it. We're layered up in clothing as we drop the lines at 7 AM.  Running from the flybridge as we'll be going through some of the worst areas for lobster traps and need that extra visibility. Clouds are breaking up and sun starting to break through as we leave Southwest Harbor. 

Leaving Southwest Harbor as the sun rises and the northerly
winds push the last of the rain clouds out to sea

Southwest Harbor home to a Hinckley Yacht plant.  Lots of them moored here

Layered up and trying to stay warm.

Watched this gorgeous old Trumpy boat Mazurka catch us and pass. 
Wondered how he was running a straight line through the lobster traps

Once he got ahead we could tell he was zig-zagging through them just like us. 

Surprisingly calm day most of the trip. We've got an outgoing tide which is helping to push us along.  Nothing really out of the ordinary at this point.  Backtracking now so mostly just passing the sights we've already seen.  Nothing wrong with them.  In fact, quite the opposite.  Beautiful scenery with water, islands, trees, lobster boats, lighthouses.  Just stuff we've seen and have posted pictures of before. Couple seals showed their heads and a few Atlantic dolphins came by but so quickly we were unable to even get a phone out for a picture.  Made it back to Boothbay Harbor earlier than expected.  Docked just after 3PM so time to hit the discount souvenir shop we found on our last trip.  Then over to Footbridge Brewery for a drink, playing some cards and dinner. 

Passing close by the 1858 Bass Harbor Head Lighthouse
 as we leave Mt. Desert Island

Hauling the traps and checking the catch.

Nature Conservancy in Maine has ownership of many islands
 insuring they'll remain undisturbed

1854 Heron Neck Lighthouse on Green's Island near Vinalhaven, ME

Nice afternoon for a sail before the weather turns ugly.

Just outside of Boothbay Harbor is the 1883 Ram Island Light Station

Our Lady Queen of Peace church. A historic landmark
on the waterfront in Boothbay Harbor

Journey for Sept. 21, 2026

Sept. 19, 2026 Schoodic Point, ME Wedding Bells

Saturday, Sept 19, 2026  Bill and Barb's Wedding Day 

Fri. Sept 18, 2026  A major factor for returning to Maine on this year's cruise was for my youngest brother Bill's wedding.   He and his fiancée love Maine and decided that a small family and friend's wedding on the rocky shoreline at Schoodic Point was the perfect setting for them.  Southwest Harbor made for a decent rendezvous location with some of the family flying in.  Nice benefit for us - a couple days of shore leave away from the boat. Real beds. Real shower with unlimited hot water.  You have no idea how nice that is after 4 months of taking Navy showers!!  My older brother Joe and his son Dan picked us up Friday for a day of local exploring.  Hit the Wendell Gilley wood carving museum first.  He was a local plumber who started carving birds as a hobby. Completely self-taught. Became a passion for him. Eventually sold his plumbing business and spent the rest of his life carving.  The museum has an impressive collection of his works and even sponsors carving classes. 

Pileated Woodpecker

Waterfowl were always a favorite carving

Carved a lot of owls too!

Collection of birds feasting on local seafood 

Puffin

Life size carving of eagle and turkey

Carving class was going on during our visit

Next stop was the Maine Granite Museum.  Surprisingly interesting.  Mt Desert Island was a huge granite exporter.  The locally mined Cadillac Mountain rock was some of the strongest stone available and used in the construction of many historic buildings and monuments. Impressive display of tools, stone samples and memorabilia.  The property has an old quarry on the land, and the owner is passionate about the subject.  He does hands on demonstrations with local school children throughout the year.  Part geology and part history lesson. 

Map of Mt Desert Island showing locations of all the granite quarries. 
Photos of historic granite buildings with reference to which quarry supplied the stone

Tools of the trade hanging on the wall. Tables hold hands-on demonstrations

All sorts of old stone lifting equipment - clamps, pulleys, etc.

Stopped in Bar Harbor on the way to the Inn for a quick libation at Atlantic Brewery.  Nice flight of beers.  Then met up with more of the family for dinner at Black Friar Pub before heading to Crocker Inn and Restaurant over on Hancock Point to meet up with the balance of the family.  Drinks around the fire pit and then time to try out that shower and bed. 

Crocker House Inn - our home for the weekend

Saturday Sept 19, 2026  Nice Maine blueberry pancakes at the inn for breakfast.  Then a walk around the Hancock Point area for some exercise.  Neighborhood wharf made for a scenic stroll.  Then around the point and back.  Good scenery. Was baffled by numerous old growth apple trees which just seemed randomly scattered.  Found out the area once consisted of several old homesteads. Most had a grove with a few trees which provided a bartering commodity for essentials like salt, sugar, tea, etc. Several of the trees are heirloom varieties of interest to local horticulturists.  All of them loaded with apples. 

Nice view from Hancock Point

Inspecting a randomly growing apple tree at the old wharf building

On to the wedding.  Bill and Barb have been dating for over 15 years.  Sort of came as a surprise they were actually getting married but glad and happy for them.  There were six kids in our family growing up, and everyone made it along with husbands, wives, nieces and nephews. Great family get together at a spectacular location in Arcadia National Park. Schoodic Point is the first contact the morning sunshine hits in this area.  Rough and rocky shoreline down to the Atlantic Ocean.  Can be very dramatic with crashing waves when the seas are up but more subdued on this calm sunny day.  Wonderful ceremony.  They even had references included from "The Princess Bride"!   Cocktail reception at Frazier Point  with its scenic waterfront picnic area.   Then back to the inn for another late night of drinking, reminiscing, and laughter.  

Hard to make a graceful entry across boulder paths

"Exchanging of the Words" as they called it

Congratulations to the newlyweds

The extended family clan in attendance.

My brothers and sister - Joe, John, Sue, Pete, Bill and Paul.

Sunday Sept 20, 2026  It's sort of become a tradition for a group breakfast on Sunday morning after one of our family get togethers.  No exception today. Then lots of long goodbyes as everyone started heading out.  Brother Paul and his wife LeeAnn were kind enough to give us a ride back to the boat. A fun weekend but I was ready for some rest and a bit of quiet time. 

Sunday morning group breakfast

Sept. 17, 2026 Dysarts Marina in Southwest Harbor

 Sept. 17, 2026    Southeast Harbor to Dysart's Marina    29 miles and 2.9 hours

Anchor up a little before 9AM.  Once again took awhile to get all the mud washed off the chain.  Guess that's actually a positive as some of these anchorages look nice but have a solid granite rock bottom that won't hold an anchor. A bit overcast and low 60's.  Expecting a chilly ride but it's humid and feels warmer without much wind.  A pretty typical 3-hour cruise in Maine.  Lobster boats, lobster trap buoys, granite rocks and tree lined islands, windjammers, lighthouses, etc.  We're here for four nights. Family get together for a wedding.  More to come on that on another posting.

Working towards low tide as we depart.  This rock just outside our anchorage
was barely visible at high tide.  Pay close attention to your charts!

Sort of a dreary looking day, but the flat water makes spotting lobster traps easier.

These guys typically start their day at 4:30 and run until mid-afternoon.

Bigger land masses in the background as we head for the Mt. Desert Island area

Windjammer cheating and using auxiliary power

Judith Ann Circles around to grab another buoy

Not sure how a lobsterman picks out their floats with so many to choose from

But they go blasting from one to another

1858 Bass Harbor Head Lighthouse

R&E Riggins making way under full sail

More windjammers as we approach Southwest harbor

Lobstermen selling live lobster right off the boat - $8.50/lb cash only please.

Fog and rain rolled in at dusk.  No sunset picture today.

Journey for Sept. 17, 2026

Sept. 15, 2026 Castine to Southeast Harbor anchorage

Sept. 15-16, 2026  Castine to Southeast Harbor Anchorage 32 miles and 3.5 hours

Good night on the mooring ball as the winds continued to subside.  Not sure who's ball it was but we thank you!  Nice blue skies and light winds to start the day.  Dropped the line and headed over to the town dock at Castine.  Make our way behind State of Maine from the Maritime Academy and find the town dock empty except for one small boat, so plenty of room for us. Got there a little after 10. With a 2-hour docking limit during the day, we needed to get gone by 12:30. First impression is it's a very small commercial area on the waterfront.  Just a couple of stores and restaurants. Stopped at the visitor's center and picked up a very nice walking tour map.   For such a small town they also have a great app to use while walking the town with audio available to listen at each stop.  Wish more towns would make this type information available for visitors. Enjoyed our time walking the tree lined streets with many older houses being kept in outstanding condition.  Very New England feeling with white painted houses rather than the more typical coastal style of naturally weathered cedar shakes.  Good presentation at the historical society about the Penobscot Expedition.  During the Revolutionary War the British captured the town and had started building an earthen fort.  Castine was still part of Massachusetts at the time, and a large flotilla of ships, transports and Patriot men were sent to oust the British.   Terrible communication between the Patriot Commanders resulted in an embarrassing defeat.  Considered the worst naval defeat in US history until Pearl Harbor.  Still used as a case study by the military today.

Here's a link to the app if you're interested in a virtual tour.

https://apps.apple.com/us/app/castine-history-highlights/id1438564894.

Pentagoet Inn and Restaurant built 1894. 
Served as the original home of the Maine Maritime Academy back in 1941

The 1814 customs house.  Castine was one of 10 designated
official ports of entry in Maine - hence much of the towns early wealth.  Currently
houses the second oldest Post Office continuously operating in the same building.

Trinitarian Congregational Church circa 1829 has been expanded
numerous times since it's founding

Couple of nice houses on Main Street

Preservation work in progress

The Town Hall is housed in an historic building donated by Charles Emerson

Halloween decor starting to come out means it's about time for us to head south

The Adams School circa 1852 still serves K-8 students.

The town square is up the hill a few blocks off the waterfront.  Only one monument on the square. Honors local citizens who died during the "War for the Preservation of the Union"

Historical Society housed in the 1859 Abbot School building on the left. 
 Used as a Teachers School after the civil war and then as a High School until 1961

Back to the boat after our rushed tour.  Definitely could have spent a few more hours there but we've got about a 3-hour cruise to our next anchorage and need to get going.   Slight breeze but sunshine so not too chilly despite temperatures remaining in the 60's.  Work our way down the West Penobscot River passing numerous granite islands, sailboats, lobster boats and of course lighthouses. 

Nice day out on the water - light breeze, sunshine, calm waters

Windjammer taking a group for a cruise

1838 Eagle Island Lighthouse.  We thought the other building was a
 teepee when we were first approaching.  Actually, a fog bell tower.

Working our way through some more scenic area

Crazy to think of the effort required to wear these granite areas smooth

1857 Deer Isle Thorofare lighthouse.  Marks the western entrance to Stonington

You could almost enjoy the scenery, if not for the constant
focus required to avoid the lobster traps

Turn to port puts us on the Deer Isle Thorofare.  Town of Stonington is in the center of this stretch.  Stonington is ground zero for the largest collection of lobster boats in the area and the surrounding waters testify to it.  Cram full of trap buoys.  Some great anchorages close nestled in a congregation of islands but the lobster boats passing around them starting at 4:30AM makes them a bit uncomfortable.  We pass through the thorofare and eventually turn north heading towards our anchorage up inside of Deer Isle.  

Entering the thorofare  

Saw several boats stopping at this float.  Not sure if dropping
off their lobsters or picking up fresh bait.

Fishermen's homes cling to the shoreside while their boats bob on moorings

No real harbor here - just several commercial wharfs

 By late afternoon every mooring will be occupied by lobster boats.

Here comes another lobster boat charging into town with his catch

Southeast Harbor is a nice, protected area.  Not a working harbor - more a harbor of refuge. Several good places to drop the hook. Natural surroundings with rocks and trees for protection from winds in just about any direction.  Couple of reviews mentioned good seal watching area.  We've seen a couple of heads pop up but that's been about the extent of it for us.  Once again, we're the only ones here.  I'm beginning to think most cruising boaters may already be headed south.

The shoreline at our anchorage at high tide

Same picture at low tide

Martha working the drone

Very peaceful anchorage for two nights.

Clouds kept obscuring our sunsets, but Martha got these amazing sunrise pictures

Refection off the flat water - what a way to start the day!

                           Journey for Sept. 15, 2026 - (No, our max speed was never 174mph,                        Nebo just got confused about the pause at Castine).