Great stop – Tenants Harbor

Great stop – Tenants Harbor

On the advice of local boaters based at Great Island Boat Yard, we stopped at Tenants Harbor.  The dock master directed us to a mooring next to a “big white boat with green canvas” – which Steve quickly noticed was a fellow Krogenite!  We enjoyed visiting with Connie and Phillip on Epilogue – especially since they have spent four summers on their Krogen in these Maine waters and generously shared favorite spots. We look forward to cross paths down the way.

Deciding to linger here another night, we were fortunate to connect with Randy and Cindy also fellow Krogen owners who now also have a land base in Maine. Cindy is dear to my heart since I thank her almost daily for introducing me to my favorite Keen sandals, so it was extra nice to visit their spectacular new home as well as get a ride to Walmart for engine oil. 

Our plan was to depart for new harbors but a Maine Fog descended and we thought another day in this idyllic spot might be just fine.

Of course the treats at the Schoolhouse Bakery and Luke’s Restaurant did not make this extended stay a hardship.  We found ample provisions in the General Store as well.  Finally, the friendly and relaxed dock master at Tenants Harbor Boat Yard with its excellent shore facilities made this an all-around superior stop for cruisers – one day or three - sunshine or fog.

The cats enjoyed Tenants Harbor just fine as well.

On to MAINE

On to MAINE

What perfect weather in a perfectly wonderful place!  We spent the 4^th of July holiday weekend hanging out in calm protected anchorages off the Casco Bay in southern Maine. Our first stop was Great Island Boat Yard in Orr Cove.  We used this stop to fill up our water and fuel tanks and empty the laundry basket. The Eatery there also got our business with the tempting lobster rolls – a fair trade for all the pots Steve has to dodge (or unhook from our fins).  

The scenery around Snow Island was relaxing and quiet although the evenings included local fireworks displays to help celebrate the holiday.

From Orr Cove we skipped over to Cow Island and a hike on Hog Island – an Audubon Camp protected sanctuary. The 2-hour hike around the island was far more rigorous than the flattish terrain would suggest – the path was all too often a tangle of tree roots – probably no surprise on this granite island. The views were lovely and the weather fine, so all in all not tooooo many complaints and the old lady did make it around (just). 

OK, How much further?

I think I made it???

Again, the evening was punctuated with fireworks to light the sky in our remote anchorage.

Star Island – Isle of Shoals

Star Island – Isle of Shoals

A place of peaceful retreat is the stately old hotel complex on Star Island.  One of the group of islands called the Isle of Shoals off Portsmouth NH – Star is home to a Unitarian Universalist conference center which fortunately welcomes cruisers.  

We enjoyed a totally calm ride on our trip to Star Island - even seeing some mysterious fins - whales or sharks we could not tell.

Lucky enough to get a vacant mooring in the rocky harbor we wandered the island to visit the sights and enjoyed a family style meal in their dining room to end our day. These islands were first named by John Smith when he visited briefly in 1614. At one time there was a village of Gosport here and then the hotel and now a place of retreat. The buildings evoke an earlier time with rocking chairs lining the wide verandas. The staff is largely college aged enthusiastic and energetic youth – making a visit pleasant from the cheerful greeting on the dock to smiling delivery of dinner. There is little doubt why a stop in Gosport Harbor rates five stars in all our cruising guides.