Boating with Sunset Delight: 2022: Maine Part I - Eagle Island and Boothbay Harbor

We spent a little less than 3 weeks exploring Maine. The first portion of the trip included our son Jeff, his wife Devon, and our 3 Idaho-based grandchildren - Sierra (8), Violet (5), and Zoe (2.5). When they departed, our second son, Chris, came to visit with his wife, Heather, and our Connecticut-based grandchildren - Lillian (6) and Jack (4).

31 July 2022

Depart: Simonton Cove anchorage 11:26

Arrive: South Port Marine, Portland, ME dock 11:55

We picked up the Idaho contingent in Portland, Maine. We had stayed at Simonton Cove on anchor near Portland the night before and came into South Port Marine early that day to provision the boat in preparation for guests. Fortunately I found a lovely Hannaford grocery store would be a relatively short walk down the main street of South Port.

To be prepared to carry 7 people on board (ourselves included in that count), we needed an empty waste holding tank and a full water tank. The sofa beds in the pilot house and the guest stateroom had to be reconfigured as beds, and of course, I had to run the vacuum, etc. to make sure we were ready.

Coming into Portland, we saw a number of kites being flown from a beach in the area.

Having flown into Boston airport from Iceland following a vacation trip there, Jeff and family had a long drive to Portland from Boston. We had not seen this portion of our family in person in a number of months and were overjoyed to have them come stay on the boat with us to cruise.

Of course their flight from Iceland was delayed. Once they arrived in the States, they needed to collect luggage, go through customs, pick up a rental car, and make the long drive to Maine. They arrived at the marina at 4:30!

After they had a chance to say hello, Clark handed Jeff a huge book - "A Cruising Guide to the Maine Coast" and asked him where he wanted to go. Our travel plans were in Jeff's hands from that point until they departed.

1 August 2022

Depart: South Port Marine 11:00

Arrive: Cocktail Cove anchorage 3:10

The Idaho folks enjoy hiking and exploring trails. Thus, our first destination turned out to be Eagle Island to see the property Robert Peary bought in 1880 for $500. He built a house there for summertime use with his family. It is now a state park with great views of Casco Bay (as the book says) in every direction.

Unfortunately, after a video telling us about the exotic things we would see in the house, we discovered that the house is closed to visitors at this time. They said we could peer in the windows!

Only accessible by boat ...

The trail started out looking like a walk through the woods ...

but then, at the end of the trail, ...

Devon and Sierra

Devon, Zoe, Violet, Jeff, and
Sierra in front

After visiting Eagle Island, we continued on our way to Cocktail Cove to stay for the night. Cocktail Cove, near the abandoned Fort McKinley, is located at the northeast end of Great Diamond Island.

Pictures taken at Cocktail Cove ...

Rocky coastline

2 August 2022

Depart: Cocktail Cove 9:00

Arrive: Boothbay Brown's Wharf Mooring 1:45

Distance: 31 nm

Boothbay Harbor was selected as our next stop. Once on shore, we found lots of interesting sights to entertain us. They even had a walking tour of the historic town.

Padlocks on footpath fencing

Downtown

On the footbridge -
a little to right-into-the-sun
for Violet

Peek-a-boo Zoe

When we returned to the boat, Clark decided that Sierra and Violet needed lessons on tying lines to cleats.

Clark, Sierra, and Violet

Violet's turn

with Jeff as audience

Sunset at Boothbay Harbor

We stayed two nights at Boothbay Harbor. Besides enjoying the town, both Devon and I got to do some laundry! Only a boater, who anchors out a lot, can understand how exciting it is to find a washing machine and dryer!

In the morning Devon decided to use the kayak to get some exercise.

While she did that, Sierra, Violet and I pulled out my Jenome sewing machine, and the girls had some hands-on experience sewing things for their American Girl dolls. Sierra made a velvet cape and Violet made a blanket and pillow.

The hardest part was getting the
needle threaded!

As one girl took her turns\ at the sewing machine, the other took a kayak ride.

Sierra in Kayak

Violet's turn to sew

Violet in Kayak - with Devon on the other end of
that 15' line so she wouldn't have to go for a swim
if Violet drifted too far away from the boat.

Sierra at the machine
One of the dolls is already sleeping
with Violet's finished pillow and blanket.
The other doll is wearing the apron we made earlier.

After lunch, Devon, Jeff, Sierra and Violet left and went to see the Boothbay Botanical Gardens. It seemed like a great adventure for the older girls but probably less appealing to Zoe. She remained on the boat with Clark and me. When she woke from her nap to find only me available and no mommy or daddy to be seen, she let me know her immediate displeasure in full volume. Unlike last year where she sulked for hours awaiting their return, she quickly resigned herself to dealing with Clark and me and got busy playing.