In glassy seas off Kennebunkport, Massachusetts we saw what looked like a fish in distress on the surface slowly waving its fins back and forth. From a distance, it looked like a lobster buoy but as we closed, it turned out to be an ocean sunfish, something we've heard horror stories of in rum soaked yacht clubs around the world but never seen. The above photo doesn't do it justice when it comes to scale as it was at least 6 ft in length and around 5 ft across. A quick google search shows they can be anywhere from 545 lb up to 2,000 lb (247 - 1000 kg) and mostly live on jellyfish. They are slow moving and can be extremely hazardous to boats if you run into one or if they become caught in propellers. They can easily hole a yacht, become pierced on the keel or they can crack a rudder as has happened in the Sydney to Hobart Yacht Race. Worse yet, they can leap 10 ft into the air, or onto a vessel if you can imagine that, and can dive to 600 ft. Tall tales but true. We saw 3 on our trip yesterday in a 100 mile section. We idled up to them, put the engines in neutral and watched as they slowly became aware we were there before diving to the depths again after their pleasant sunbake. I can assure you, I was ready for the photo of the decade if they leapt into the air! We also saw a pod of around 150 dolphins busily slapping the water with their tails and leaping about while herding fish. The calm conditions made it a great day for viewing the sea-life.
This past weekend we celebrated the Captain's birthday in style by taking the dinghy 9.5 miles south of Vanish's anchorage in Quahog Bay, Maine to one of our favourite restaurants, the Dolphin Restaurant. It took an hour each way as we passed the ever present lobster buoys, ledges, islands and under bridges and around rocky points to arrive at Basin Point, South Harpswell. Chris Saxton, the Manager, found us a table immediately even though they were extremely busy with it being the Labor Day Weekend. It turns out that Chris follows expedition type sailing blogs around the world and was very interested in the fact we are Australians exploring the Atlantic side of the world. The big drawcard at the restaurant, apart from their shoestring onion rings and blueberry pie are the free blueberry muffins with all main meals! Such a great idea, and so Maine-ish. Why not!
The Great State of Maine Airshow at Brunswick was underway all weekend as well featuring the U.S. Navy's Blue Angels F/A-18 Hornets. We had a great view of their practice runs and the actual show for quite a few days. I was lucky enough to capture a photo of a bald eagle flying towards Vanish with the Blue Angels in the background (see Photo Gallery). Her nest was located on Snow Island with a 360 degree view up and down Quahog Bay.
We are currently moving in a southerly direction with the Canada geese but keeping a wary eye out for any hurricane activity. Vanish is on the move again. She is working like a charm. Stay tuned.