Kittery to Salem
August 13, 2013
We decided to leave the dock in Kittery and go out the anchorage to await the predicted rain event for today. What actually happened was different. We sailed by the anchorage and on to Salem. That took us due south to Cape Ann thence west to Salem.
This is a way cool place. Perhaps it is not as glitzy as some but as much a part of American maritime history as any other port. This place actually celebrated 400 years of being a seaport. At one time, it was the largest and ranked in the top five for almost 200 years. The witch thing was merely a distraction along the way and most of what we have been told or understand about that era is false. Back to maritime stuff: we are anchored in the harbor where ships have dropped the hook for all those years. Granted, there have been a few changes to the waterfront but the body of water holds the imagination as to how it may have appeared before the big power plant on shore and the zillion or so mooring floats were here. This natural deep harbor protected ships from the rowdy water of the Atlantic. How it must have been so welcomed after two years before the mast. Fish and other sea related goods from this place rounded the horns to exotic places where they were exchanged for spices and goods. Sea Captains made fortunes in the trades, yet the houses on the old waterfront are modest. Many of them are still here. Several are still standing and still occupied that were built in the 18th century. Some were built in the 17th century. Imagine that.
In the near future, we will pass through the Cape Cod Canal and sail back into Long Island Sound. Along the ware are several "must see" places that we might visit. We are now pushed a bit by our desire to "get south" and avoid the cold grips of autumn. We are still undecided where we will leave Why Knot when we come home for the holidays.