Sept. 22, 2026 Portland for an Extended Stay

 Tues. Sept. 22, 2026  Boothbay Harbor Marina to South Port Marina 38 miles and 4.0 hours

Weather, weather, and more weather.  Been watching for days as a potential nor'easter was possibly forming.  A high-pressure system is holding to our northwest while a low-pressure system is forming to our southeast. As they fight it out there will be strong winds and waves along the entire east coast. Working its way from the Carolinas all the way up to Maine.  Strongest winds are still several days away from us. Looks like Thursday thru Monday will be the worst days here, but seas have already started building.  So, we figured today was the last good day for us to travel and getting to Portland makes the most sense for an extended secure stay in a place with some things for us to do. Appears we'll be here at least a week.  Current sea state forecast as follows: Wed.: Seas 4-6', Thurs.: Seas 7-8', Fri.: Seas 8', Sat.: Seas 7', Sun.: Seas 10-13', Mon.: Seas 8' dropping to 6', Tues.: Seas 6' to 5'.  Hoping to get going again next Wednesday if things will just level out at 3'.

Windy app shows forecasted wave heights to 18' by Sunday.

American Legend cruise ship came into Boothbay Harbor overnight. 
They were already unloading passengers with their launch as we passed by.

Today's trip was just a half day but conditions, while not terrible, were already not particularly fun.  Forecast called for 2' swells from the east with lesser waves from the north.  So, a bit confused.  Some pretty open waters as we crossed Casco Bay with an occasional swell getting closer to 3'.   Lobster traps scattered so still needed a mindful eye on them, which becomes more difficult as they oftentimes disappear under the waves and then pop up. Swells on our stern port quarter are not our most comfortable ride as the boat lifts and then surfs down waves usually turning into the wave requiring constant steering corrections.   Too slow for Otto to keep up, so an all-day manual steering exercise. 

1821 Burnt Island Light Station - second oldest lighthouse in Maine

1892 Inn at Cuckolds Lighthouse - now privately owned.
You can rent one of the two suites in the rebuilt lightkeepers house

1857 Seguin Island Light Station sits 180 feet above
 sea level, making it the highest in the state.

1871 Halfway Rock Light Station. Located halfway across Casco Bay.
  It was a "Stag Lighthouse" - deemed too dangerous for women or families

1897 Spring Point Ledge Lighthouse at the entrance to South Portland
The only "sparkplug" lighthouse accessible to visitors by land

Weird cloud pattern mimicking the reflections on the water

Doesn't look too rough out until you see waves crashing on a rock

 Made it to South Port Marina a little after noon.  Best diesel price around at $5.99/gal so loaded up with 320 gallons.  Should get us back to the Chesapeake even if we need to occasionally run a little faster speed. Got fuel here last year for just $3.09/gallon!  Dockmaster showed us our slip and suggested we go bow in to be positioned best for NE winds.  We always stern in, so this was different.  We're on the inside of a long T-head, so there's dockage down the entire length and getting on/off from the swim platform is a non-issue.  We will lose our view on Wednesday when a 100' Nordhavn docks on the outside of the T-head, but he'll provide us great protection from wind and waves off the harbor. 

The watchtower atop Cushing Island used through WWII
to aid in protecting Portland Harbor

It is full-size cruise ship season with 1-2 ships docked daily in Portland. 
Norwegian and Virgin here upon arrival Tues. Gone Wed. AM with Celebrity now in port

New neighbors. 2023 100' Nordhavn New Journey protecting us from NE winds.
Perhaps owned by retired drummer Steve Smith of the band Journey? 

Our Journey for Sept. 22, 2026

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