Up West
August 4, 2013
Yesterday sunrise offered one of the Maine epic fogs. Literally, we barely saw the bow so we all went back for more snoozing. That was 0500. We looked out at 0900 and the area was fog free. We left Northeast Harbor at 0915 yesterday heading west. If down east describes the outbound trek then up west must be the name for our current action. Given that we have enjoyed downwind cruising for over six weeks, it was a treat to sail into the wind and waves heading back. We did not leave Mount Desert Island without the some sense of satisfaction about having achieved a dream destination and some sorrow as to the leaving.
The fog gave way to cloudy skies with rain to our stern. As the day progressed, the winds piped up a bit. Although the forecast was for 6 to 10 knots west, it actually hit 24 knots as we sailed into Penobscot Bay toward Rockland. We chose to stop in Rockland and attend the Maine Lobster Festival. When we entered the harbor, the winds dropped to about 10 knots and the waves disappeared. Our mooring was only a quarter mile from the festival stage so we could hear the bands well into the evening.
The idea today is to sail back toward Boothbay or some anchorage for the evening. We think we will be back in Massachusetts by the end of the week. That might be a good idea since the locals are complaining about the unseasonable cold weather of late. Best we not stay too long here.