The Maine Event

Ships log, August 23, 23:02, N 42 30.137’ W 069 26.554’ AWS 8.6, AWA 152, SOG 7.19 with Spinnaker and Main.

We haven’t sailed overnight in months. I had pre-departure jitters, but last night, there was a dome of stars above us, a smooth sea below us, and 9 knots of wind at our back. It was the perfect time for a sail south after spending the summer in Maine. So I felt relaxed and happy. 

The locals said they had nevah evah seen so much rain, but our family brought the sunshine to us for weeks at a time, and the memories of their visits kept me company during my watch.

The slide show in my mind looked like this:

All of us, including Nick, together • Our flashlight-lit faces, telling ghost stories around the fire pit • My mom, giggling in a field of alpacas • My view from the top of the mast • Bonnie and I on the Rockland breakwater, the wind in our faces • Michael and Zachary in the Hobie Cat, cruising over Great Pond • The boys cooking fajitas together • Rainbows over Belfast for Mom’s birthday • Ice cream! Everywhere, every way • John & Elaine in Belfast, in Belgrade, in Belfast, in Belgrade, in Belfast • Mick, Mira, Nathaniel and Alice on board Gerty • Blueberry pie! Peach pie! Whoopie pie! • Our fresh from-the-mountain blueberry tongues • Joshua’s face, close enough to touch

Now, the night of peaceful reminiscing has passed, and my morning reality is this—a bat is on our boat. A BAT! It was hiding in the winch handle holder. What do we do? WHAT DO WE DO WITH A BAT?

Last Remarks

• Mazel Tov to Claes and Pernilla from Sweden for their purchase of Gerty Allures 45.9. We look forward to seeing you on the water. Fair winds! 
• Thank you to Grandma Polly, Bonnie, Alice, Nathaniel, Mira, Mick, Zachary, Joshua, and Nick for making the long trip to Maine.
• Thank you to John & Elaine for being the best hosts and traveling back and forth often.
• Thank you, Tim & Diane SV Skylark, for a lovely day at the lake!
• Saskis & Skip SV Molly, meeting you in Hollbrook and Belfast was great. We’ll see you soon!
• Julie & Patrice SV Raftan, so glad we found you in the Bar Harbor fog!
• Rob and Kathryn, great to see you again, and congrats on SV Winslow