I will leave to fly home day after tomorrow and today we turn around and start back to Portland. This is the farthest downeast I will make it this year.

We absolutely loved our stay at Robinhood and when we left and sailed to Boothbay Harbor, it was with a little smile of regret. There was so much entertainment there, from the lecture, to the courtesy car that allowed us to drive around Georgetown Island and visit the town of Bath. One of the most memorable moments in Robinhood was when a big inflatable dinghy with a center console steering station and about 10 people, including 6-8 little kids, pulled up alongside us in our dinghy. We couldn't help but notice the NY numbers on the dinghy. Then the father called out, "What time do the seals come out?" Boy, were we tempted . . .

We might no be local Mainiacs, but we have attempted on our trip to read up on the places we visit and to be respectful of the environment. We've heard people on the radio call the Coast Guard and ask for a heading to get them home. We've heard many a Mayday and call for help on this trip. But never before had we met anyone who thought that the natural world ran on a schedule like Sea World!

From BoothBay Harbor we had a fabulous sail up to Tenants Harbor on Penobscot Bay and this is as far as we'll get. Today we head back. This large bay is considered by many to be the best cruising in Maine and all we've been able to do is explore a few islands here and go into the little village for a beer and a lobster roll at the wharfside restaurant called Cod's End. There is sooo much more to see. Next year.

Today we are headed for Jewel Island just outside Portland and then on to Portland on Tuesday morning. It's gray and drizzly and cold out. The weather is telling us it's time to turn back south again. We made it to 43 58' N. I never thought I'd sail in such northern latitudes - and love it.

Fair winds!