Hello from Portland.

We docked in Portland yesterday, after we stopped at two of the many islands that surround Portland in Casco Bay.  These islands are served by an extensive ferry service from Portland, as there are no bridges to most of the islands.  The islands are rock edifices, and the ones that are not land sanctuaries, have multi-million dollars homes on them.  I can only imagine what it costs to build these homes on the islands.  Claiborne and family arrive tomorrow, and we are in the process of making the boat ready for guests.    We are incredibly excited to see them! So, I only have time for a short post, and the pics are jumbled again, but here they are: 

One of our stops was on Diamond Island.  It was home to Fort McKinley which was active through WWII.  The fort, officers and enlisted homes and barracks, are now private residences, in a gated community.  Since it is on the national historic register, all renovations have to keep the same look as the old fort.  There is a hotel and two restaurants in old fort out buildings and  on weekends, the ferry is full of people to stay at the hotel.  The hotel is also a destination wedding site, with quite the setup.  This is the restaurant entrance.  Out back it has a large porch overlooking the marina, which fills up at happy hour! 

One of the private homes. 

The trek into Portland takes us around many island, you just have to watch out for rocks and lobster pots!  Absolutely stunning vistas. 

Alexis is still flying her LSU flag, which draws a few comments...

The Dolphin Marina and Restaurant, in Harpswell.  

Diamond Cove. 

I am on the paddleboard by an old Navy bunker on Diamond.  German U-boats would enter the sound and reek havoc on shipping, so a blimp base was added to Diamond Island defenses, protecting the entrance to Portland Harbor.  

Floating docks are a must with a 10' tide. 

I found the true use for the paddleboard! 

 Our marina in Portland is huge.  Even though the boating season is short here, there are thousands of boats.  Lots of fishing goes on here too.  

We made it to Maine!

We are on a mooring at Biddeford Pool, Maine. We arrived yesterday, after a beautiful day on the ocean from Newburyport, MA (one of our favorite stops to date). On the way we saw whales, seals and a big fish! We are off to the islands off Portland for a few days, and are getting excited about our upcoming visits with Claiborne and then Stan, and their families.  Here are some pics from the last week.  

From Salem.  Recognize the lady? 

Salem has embraced its tragic past, and created a "witch" city, complete with an entire street full of witch attire, etc.  I am told it is crazier than Bourbon Street on Halloween!   This was my favorite..

Did not know this. 

Newburyport claims to be the birthplace of the US Navy. 

The above two pics document early duck hunting in Newburyport.  Sounds familiar.  

 

Biddeford Pool.  

Houses on this island are briefly connected to the mainland during low tide.  

Juvenile Eiders?  

We did not get any whale pictures, but this is a pic of a 6-8 ft. fish, I think some kind of shark.  Can anyone identify it from this admittedly poor pic?  

We postponed our departure from Newburyport as weather blew in.  

Around Gloucester, to Newburyport, MA.

To head north from Boston, we had to either take the Atlantic around Gloucester (longer mileage in open Atlantic) or run through the Annisquam River (longer time wise) and face the wicked current and low bridges on the river.  Sunrise woke us up at  Hull Bay (sunrise is 5:14 am and sunset 8:22 pm!).  The light woke us up at that unseemly hour as we had our windows open for the cool breeze. We were completely fogged in, so I had a morning cup of tea (not coffee, my Aunt Charlene hooked me on tea); tried to avoid reading the news, and in general waited for the dam fog to lift.  It did around 9:00am, and off we went into the Atlantic on a beautiful calm morning.  

Alexis wanted to stay at Salem, and I wanted to stay at Plymouth, but both harbors were booked at their outrageous prices.  So we settled on the Newburyport town dock, which we can now report is absolutely delightful and less expensive; a relative term for the summer boating season up here.  Newburyport is on the Merrimack River, across from Salisbury, MA.  The town dock is adjacent to an incredible waterfront park and trail system, right next to town with shops and pubs galore.  So we have extended our stay until Saturday, called Enterprise and will visit Salem by car (much cheaper!).  It is finally hot here (highs around 90) due to the remnants of Hurricane Beryl passing through.  Can't get away from those storms....

Interesting factoid, they pull up all the floating docks, and take all boats out of the water in October, as large chunks of ice flow down the river in winter.  The current can be fast, and those chunks of ice will sink boats and destroy docks.  I imagine the rates go down then also.....

Moonset on Hull Bay. 

Ships passing in the night (or fog in this case). 

These lobster boats are everywhere setting out or picking up traps.  Just like home, commercial fisherman own the ocean.  Just stay out of their way, and all is good.  

Rounding Gloucester and the two lighthouses.  Why two?? 

Number 1. 

Number 2. 

Scenes from Newburyport.  This monument has plaques on all sides dedicated to seaman lost at sea. Click on the pic to see the inscription. 

All the stops on the Essex County scenic byway. 

Apparently, Fatface is a chain.  I should own stock...

Where is Ken when I need him? 

Many of the commercial fishing boats have these long bow pulpits. I assume for spotting tuna? 

For you Wicked Tuna fans, I know you know what this is about!

Tuna Vibes scored a Bluefin Tuna.