LIVE ABOARD CRUISING IN THE USA

SEPTEMBER 8, 2016

SUNDOWN IN BROAD COVE

JUST UP THE HILL

AWESOME LOBSTER

It has been almost 2 weeks since the last of our  visiting friends departed.  The days living aboard in the cool waters of Maine have finally settled into a relaxing slow pace. We had been off the boat for 10 months when we returned in the spring, it took us a long time to settle into the slow, quiet way of life aboard.  Our days aboard now feel much the same as when we were in the islands, only cooler.  The cruising life is good but much different.

Here in Maine living aboard is easier than in the islands.  Being stateside everything is much more metropolitan.  You are never far from groceries, hardware or marine supplies.  The trip into town is usually much shorter than we were use to.  There is usually a laundromat not far from our anchorage and fuel is always available at the marinas.  Marina docks are not as accommodating here as in the islands, probably because there are so few live aboard cruisers in these waters.  

OUR LOCAL LOON

The Maine anchorages are beautiful and quiet.  The seals, loons, geese and jumping fish are here to keep us company.  Some mornings you see a seal jumping and diving around a lobster trap, having a wonderful time playing with the marker.  It's a shame they don't jump on cue so pictures can be taken.  Lobster boats checking their traps, a few pleasure craft or kayakers are all we see on any given day.  We have met a few locals and fewer cruisers.  Our days are relaxing and go by quickly, sometimes with nothing but a good book to keep us company.  Very nice indeed.

IT'S PERFECT AT ANCHOR

I miss living aboard in the Caribbean.  All the cruisers from far away countries and the people of the islands added so much interest to the everyday life of living aboard .The one thing  I don't miss is the heat.  Living aboard in the USA doesn't seem much different from living in a new state or town where you are a stranger.  Although we must have the best view and more privacy than anyone on land.   Even with all the conveniences, the flavor of life aboard is much more bland here in the USA.

Just as we have gotten back in the rhythm of life on the water it is time to turn south.  I am trying to get my mind around leaving It's Perfect once more.  People we have met live aboard 6 months or so a year and love it.  Having spent 3 1/2 years aboard with hardly a break it is taking some time for me to get use to the idea. 

THE MAINE SEA SHORE

We have refueled, checked the engine, filled the water tanks and put things away down below.  It is time for us to go. When we have a good 3 day weather window without fog, we will be off.  Falmouth, Maine will fade in the distance as we move south.  The fields of lobster traps lined up across the water makes day sails our only option.  We will make a stop in Kittery, Maine, Hull Bay outside Boston and Onset Bay, Massachusetts.  After that we will make our way up Long Island Sound stopping in Clarks Cove, Orient Harbor, Port Jefferson and Manhasset Bay. 

With good weather we hope to be ready for the final part of our journey for this year by mid to late Sept.  Our final passage will take us back thru Hell Gate and the East River off New York City, past the Statue of Liberty, out into the Atlantic.  Our offshore passage should take 2 days and 2 nights before we turn once more into the Chesapeake Bay.