Peter's diagnosis of pneumonia the night prior to departure interrupted plans for the scheduled cruise to Newfoundland. However, the lemon dealt made into tasty lemonade as we enjoyed three weeks of aimless and enjoyable cruising--with no schedule.
On July 21, we boarded Panacea with most of the provisions purchased for the Newfoundland cruise. Consequently, we could have sailed for the entire remainder of the summer without once revisiting a marketplace. Never can tell when a good famine may hit. When I'm aboard, Panacea is always prepared.
As sailors and folks living on the east coast of this summer are aware, the seasonal weather patterns were heavy with fog and showers. We did, however, find several pockets of sun while on a lazy transit through the Penobscot Bay islands, down Eggemoggin Reach and up to Blue Hill Bay. Visits by loons, seals and porpoise quickly drew us into Nature's relaxed pace with new perspectives gained.
One night a lone loon sat vigil over Panacea in a small and quiet cove in upper Bartlett Narrows, contrasted the next night in Blue Hill Harbor by four blubbery seals on a nearby float, who either barked, growled or snored until dawn. Such a racket. It took several pokes into Peter's ribs before I realized the source.
Mount Desert Island provided a hike to Thuya Gardens and Lodge in Northeast Harbor, reconfirming this as yet another favorite destination port. Such beautiful gardens and total sense of peace and place.
Return to Rockland Harbor via the Thorofares of Deer Island and Fox supplied new views of familiar scenery and by our return to Rockland Harbor, I had filled another 75 journal pages with over 100 sketches and watercolor studies. Some are repeats of favorite scenes with different angles and atmosphere, all packed away in the ever-expanding web.
Who needs Newfoundland when you live in Maine?