Summer - Fall 2011 Plans?

[marujo_sortudo]

I've been having a great summer covering the Maine coast from Bar Harbor to Portland.  Getting ready to head back Downeast to haul the boat out in mid/late-October and start another season of boat maintenance.  Maybe I'll try and post some pictures once I have more out-of-the-water time.  Sorry, I forgot to look you up while I was down here, Jim.  I've actually been spending more time catching up on work in Portland, than sailing, but that's the trick of living & working from a sailboat.  Had a lovely sail down the coast with an unexpected detour to Bath via the Sasanoa River and then back out to sea via the mighty Kennebec.  You can moor off the Maritime Museum there and get admission included in the cost of your mooring along with free, superclean showers and laundry in their dedicated "Visiting Yachtsman's Building," open 24 hours.  A pretty nice break even for fans of anchoring out all the time, like us.  Great museum.

[Jim_ME]

Colin, Good to hear that you've had a great season cruising some of the Maine coast, and that the Maritime Museum in Bath is so cruiser friendly. Hope to catch up with you on one of your future trips South, or if I get up that way.

As the season here is winding down, I had been thinking about posting an update. It has been something of a bust season for me. I didn't even get up to the Folk Festival in Bangor. The Sunday activities were cancelled since that was the day that Irene arrived, with some being added to Saturday. As it turned out, that was the weekend (and week) that my older sister and her family visited and stayed at a cottage on Sebago Lake. It was especially rustic, since the power was out for 4 days. In previous years I enjoyed taking them out for sails on the big lake, but was content to spend time with them, and enjoy the views of the water and swimming in it. There were some beautiful sunrises (see photo), as if to remind that nature remained self sufficient and off the grid...

The sailing season here always seems to fly past, and this year was no exception. There are some changes I'd like to make with the boats, perhaps this fall before the winter arrives. Thoughts are turning toward next season here, and again to the dream about how the South can extend the season, if you are in a position to go there. If only this recession would pass as quickly as the sailing season does...