Leaving Maine in September is not easy. It's a magical time. The tourists are gone, the days are warm, and the evenings cool and clear. Beyond the attractions there is also the wind. And when you're "down-east" it's often blowing in the wrong direction. Add in the complication of stowing everything you think you'll want for the next 8 months in a dozen or two lockers, drawers, compartments, shelves, cubby-holes, nooks, crannys, bilges, etc. Intending to leave on the 1st we dropped the mooring and waved goodbye to the neighbors on the 9th.

Our first anchorage was a hurricane hole we'd been meaning to check out. After a beat through left over slop we had a serene glide up the Damariscotta River, past Christmas Cove, and into Seal Cove. It's reputation did not disappoint; good holding, tall trees and a 180° entrance turn miles up a river should offer protection from any direction. Plus, it's beautiful! We anchored in still water with neither neighboring boats nor camps to impinge on our total seclusion. A family of eagles was swooping around as they hunted and returned to their nest to feed their young. Seals swam past, Canada geese flew overhead looking for their night's resting spot, and ducks dove for their dinner. This all felt right -- we were on our way.