It is blistering hot in the Chesapeake so our annual trip to Maine couldn't have come at a better time. Although they suffered through the extreme heat with the rest of the nation over the last week, Maine cooled down just in time to welcome the heat-weary crew of Morning Star. Cool temps, all the lobster, clams, oysters and shrimp you could ever want. Its good to be us!
We always visit Camden at least once every year. Its a bit of a tourist town but the harbor is beautiful and full of activity. My favorite stop is Cappy's Chowder House. A bowl of their clam chowder is all I need. Our waitress commented on Cindy's Manatee neckless and we chatted for a while. She was from Florida and used to live in Indian Rocks Beach, where her mom was the manager at The Pub, a local waterfront bar and restaruant. We have been there many times, frequently by boat. Small world.
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Camden Harbor |
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Dinghy Dock - Camden
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Camden Harbor |
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On the dock at Five Islands Lobster Pound. |
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Five Islands
On Friday, the 12th, we visited Rockland with Sister Jane and Sam, to attend the Maine Boats, Harbors and Home Show. Its a combination boat show, home show and arts and crafts show all rolled into one fun package. Next year we are going back on Sunday, the day of the Boatyard Dog competition.
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Commuter Yacht "Ragtime"...
Maine Boats, Harbors and Homes Show - Rockland
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...with a Bow Cockpit |
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Another Morning Star!! Morris Yachts Daysailer |
Its hard not to smile when you come upon a 25-man ukelele band! The University of Maine-Machias Ukelele Club played for about three hours. They were all ages shapes and sizes....the ukeleles as well as the people!
Walpole Barn is an old converted barn owned by Warren and Deb, friends of Sister Jane and Sam. It is a delightful shop, filled with an eclectic mixture of wines, oysters, unique housewares and stuff. Several Saturday afternoons each month, they have a wine tasting. You don't have to say "wine" and "free" very often to draw a crowd!
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Saturday afternoon wine-tasting at Warren & Deb's
Walpole Barn |
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Cindy & Sister Jane - Walpole Barn
Michael, at Bittersweet Boatyard in South Bristol, came through for us with a rental boat once again. We headed out for Boothbay Harbor, with the intention of having lunch after watching the start of The Shipyard Cup race, a maxi-yacht sailing regatta. The smallest boat in the race was 75' and the largest was about 155'. They are huge, fast and magnificent. You can check them out at: www.shipyardcup.com
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The Shipyard Cup for Maxi Yachts - Boothbay Harbor
photo by Sam Long |
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Our favorite boat won...the 115' Whisper photo by Sam Long |
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They start 'em young in Boothbay!
photo by Sam Long
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We received a phone call from Cindy's sister, Sharie. Three weeks ahead of schedule, our niece, Sarah had a baby girl whom she named Samamtha Anne. The same afternoon we passed this lobster boat. Coincidence? I think not. This child is bound to be exceptional...She already has a boat named after her! Welcome aboard Sam!