Lovely Pen Bay even in the FOG

Lovely Pen Bay even in the FOG

From Tenants Harbor we took the inside route to an anchorage inside Rockland’s breakwater.  This offered protection from the winds although a longer ride to the town dock.  However, a stop here is mandatory to visit the large Hamilton’s Marine store a few steps from the dock. There are also plenty of tasty eateries and shops worthy of a few hours on shore.  For shopping at a BIG grocery store and the Home Depot we also walked up from the dock on the end of the breakwater. The path winds through a park and then a mile or so along the shore and up the hill to the shopping plaza – a nice opportunity to stretch our legs and re-provision. We were also entertained by the end of a schooner race!

From Rockland we spent a couple nights on the hook in Pulpit Harbor – one of the must see scenic anchorages in Penobscot Bay.  This well protected harbor is indeed beautiful, tucked behind the prominent and osprey occupied pulpit rock.  We weathered a couple of rainy and stormy days comfortably in this roomy anchorage enjoying fellow boaters from Fairhaven, MA. To explore onshore we will have to return in better weather.

Pulpit Rock without the resident osprey

Our next stop was in the Isle au Haut Thorofare.  Although more than half of the island is part of the Acadia National Park, unlike the main park, the trails here are uncrowded.  We walked out to Moore’s Harbor beach on the trail and back into the village on the road with unique sights. The tiny town included a well- stocked general store and a welcoming gift shop.  The gift shop owner generously gave me some of her immense button collection. The buttons are truly treasures, but the photos of the recovery are “priceless”.