Well, if getting the post-labor-day, off-season rates and having stores close earlier weren't enough of a hint that summer is over, we've started school on Northern Symphony. Of course, its a little different than shore-based schooling, but it's just home-schooling in a floating home.

Today we left Castine and headed down the Penobscot Bay in glassy calm conditions. I was below-deck doing my work, Anne dodged lobster pot floats, and Evelyn and Leslie worked on math. This year Evelyn, having graduated from high school in June, is keeping her academic skills up (she'll be starting at Swarthmore College in a year) by serving as Leslie's math and science teacher. Yesterday she developed an assessment test to gauge Leslie's current knowledge and today Leslie spent the entire morning working on it. There are some interesting conversations in our cockpit!

Shortly after noon, we arrived in Rockland and, after changing the oil and filters on our engine (a vastly easier process with the new engine), school was adjourned to explore the town. Rockland is a wonderful place for cruising boats! It has several bookstores, a very enticing bakery, interesting shops and a great games/toy store. After they explored for several hours, I went ashore and met Anne and the girls for what turned out to be an extremely good Italian dinner...The best restaurant meal we've had in months. More exploration is in order....