day eleven - a party on Merchants Row

Morning comes with light fog and a group portrait - a mutual friend had asked to see a photo of us all together so we obliged.  Edwina makes a cup of hot tea for me, then makes a wonderful breakfast of French toast with bread bought from a bakery on Matinicus Island.  We talk about our plans for the day.  They are headed to Merchants Row, the string of islands between Stonington and Isle au Haut.  I mention that I have tentative plans to meet friend Matt on his Pathfinder TRIM, also on Merchants Row.  

After a kind invite for more hospitality on BAKHITA, I'm texting Matt with an offer that we could not turn down.  Wind or no wind, Matt says he will be there.

Cast off from BAKHITA 9:45 in thick fog.  Outside of Seal Bay I can see only the tops of the larger islands above the fog.  Slow motoring while watching gps and Navionics across Isle au Haut Bay.

A little wind near Merchants Row, gentle sailing past a ledge hidden under the surface of the water.  A loud fog horn catches my attention.  I respond with a blast, soon seeing AMERICAN EAGLE emerging from the fog to port.

Fog, lack of wind, it no longer matters.  Just a joy to watch the stately tall ship in the mist.

She crosses the bow.

And then is gone.

Fog clears, and a little wind so I sail through the islands, dropping anchor near Green Island.  I'm relaxing in the cockpit when I hear my name being called.  I see a blue-hulled boat not to far away.  I greet them, but can't figure out who they are.  They remind we met last year when both of our boats ended our cruises the same morning at Atlantic Boat Company.  They are nice folks, I recall visiting with them as we each did our end-of-cruise laundry in the little dock house by the ramp.  I raise anchor and motor by to say hello.

About that time I see BAKHITA coming in to anchor behind Russ Island.  I motor over and, once they are anchored, raft up to the port side.

Soon I see TRIM coming from behind Little Camp Island.  Paul puts out fenders on the starboard side while Edwina is below cooking dinner.  

It is another fun evening, a great spicy green chili from Edwina, and some of their excellent Chianti.  And of course Matt brings his Aussie sensibilities to the party.  Life is good.

A light rain comes as goes as we sit in the cockpit.  Matt has been out a couple of weeks already and has some good stories to tell. And of course he is interested in BAKHITA's journey.  Then Paul and Edwina break out some whiskey from Bogue Sound Distillery in North Carolina, a perfect way to wrap up the evening.

11:04 NM