July 1,Sunday
02 July 2018 | Cape Porpoise to Cape Elizabeth
Yesterday we had a parade of lobster boats heading out early to pick up their catch. My plan for this morning was to take pictures of boats like Rebounder, Miss Marie, 30 Below, Sheila Jane and my favorite "Low Budget" as they headed out.... but all quiet today, then I read an article that mentioned lobstering was "forbidden" on Sundays. So the plan was to go help out a sport fisherman who's boat died a few hundred yards from where we anchored. As I approached, he mentioned on the phone to someone that he'd need to come over in "Fidelity" (the name of President Bush Sr's boat, which I knew was moored just a few miles away) with a new battery. Our little 4 hp on the dinghy managed to get the boat over to the town pier to make the battery exchange easier, the gentleman confirmed Fidelity was President Bush's boat and explained someone from Fidelity recommended stock to then Mr Bush a long time ago, the recommendation panned out and he made enough to cover the cost of his boat... He didn't volunteer his connection, and I didn't pry, it was good to start the day helping someone out.
We left Cape Porpoise around 9:30 and made the short trip to one of our other places, Richmond Island, right off Cape Elizabeth. There was enough wind to put the staysail up and keep us from rocking to much in the swells but not enough to sail more than a knot or two per hour so we motored the short 16 nautical mile distance.
Richmond Island was a welcome site, much like we remembered except all the damage to the tall pines. We anchored in placid water on the south side of the island. It was warm, Lesley took a swim in her bathing suit, I opted for a short wetsuit, and was able to clean the waterline and inspect the zincs, shaft and propellor. Next time in I'll need to replace a zinc or two, but we're OK with the zincs we have on for now. Just after I climbed out of the water we were joined by a small harbor seal. She swam between the boat and Lesley, then right up to the swim platform on the transom. She stayed long enough for a picture, then disappeared.
The sunset rivaled many of the great ones we've had on our trip.we again pinched ourselves and reminded each other how fortunate we are to experience such beautiful settings.