Wake at 5:00 to thick, thick fog. Only two sounds are water lapping against SPARTINA's wooden hull and the muffled cries of eagles in the trees. The only goal is to get to Southwest Harbor, and not a breath of wind to get there.
Slip on the drysuit and put the fog horn on the starboard seat. 6:00 under power. In the shallows following the GPS track from yesterday. 6:15 at green marker "3" turn south inside of Halftide Ledge to head to deeper water.
6:30 green marker "1" in the fog at the southern end of Calf Island and slip out onto Frenchman Bay. 6:40 motoring with Stave Island to port though I can't see it. Feel the wake from a lobster working pots to starboard.
7:10 Long Porcupine Island to starboard, as the GPS tells me, but can't see it. Glad it is a Sunday morning, less lobster boats out on the water. 7:25 unseen Iron Bound Island to port. 8:20 the sun reaches though the thick grey fog, brightens my spirits and feels good. 8:25 hear bell on a buoy before I see it. 8:45 thicker fog and the sun is gone.
9:30 less fog, begin the turn to the west, struggling to keep a steady course with grey in every direction. 9:40 turn southeast to avoid East Bunker Ledge. 9:50 hear a bell but can't see the buoy. Hands are cold and wet, my glasses are fogged by the mist.
10:00 less fog and I am pleased to see Sutton Island with my own eyes, don't need the GPS to recognize the dark mass. 10:10 feel a warm breeze, Bear Island emerging from the fog to starboard. 10:30 GPS shows Greening Island nearby but, again, can't see it. I can see dark shapes of masts ahead...Southwest Harbor.
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| Photo by Matto |
10:50 try to get fuel at Beal's but find the fuel dock is closed on Sunday. A man tells me the fuel dock at Dysart's Marina is open today. I motor over there and in search of the fuel dock recognize Matto's TRIM tied up at the marina. I find the fuel dock but have to wait in line. Here comes Matto with his dog Freya, it is good to see them both.
It is time for lunch so Matto and Freya hop on board and we motor to the Upper Town Dock, walk up the street and grab some sandwiches as the skies clear and it turns into a beautiful day. I drop Matto and Freya off at the marina, head to an unused mooring that Matto has already scouted out for me.
Tied up at the mooring, I hear from Matto that he has a loaner car for a run to the grocery. He offers to pick me up at the town dock, second visit to the dock which might not fit the rules but it is a quiet day so why not. We take turns with Freya outside the grocery store with Freya while the other does their shopping. Tinned fish, crackers, apples and beer for me.
Matto drops me off at SPARTINA, then heads off to the marina.
A long and interesting day. Good to be in well protected waters while waiting on tomorrow's storm. Excellent, simple dinner of spicy yellowfin tuna, crackers, apple and a beer.
22.05 NM
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