Last Swim in Quahog Bay

We met Ben, Megan and Alex at Birch Point at 12:30.  WD and I arrived first, so we went out and got Whitecap off the mooring.  We were underway at about 1:00 PM and headed downriver.  The girls had decided they wanted to go to Quahog Bay and have one last picnic and swim.  As we passed by the south end of Sheep Island in the New Meadows, we saw a large pleasure boat anchored behind the island, so we went in to gawk.

It looked like so many others, we continued on our way to Quahog Bay.  We went the "inside" route up Ridley's Cove and across the passage to Quahog Bay.  When we got to Quahog Bay, we saw the Bowdoin Sailing Club out practicing.  They were like 25 or 30 cats being herded!  They had a little Boston Whaler with a coach with a bull horn giving them directions!  Some of the sailors were pretty good and some not so.

We finally got to our destination behind Snow Island and dropped the hook.  We ate lunch.  I made the girls the traditional cheese sandwiches on the stove.  I brought some chocolate covered ceiling tiles, so Alex was a happy camper.

Alex finally decided she wanted to swim in the 62 degree water, so she got on her suit and in she went.  Megan joined her and they had a lovely time on the two rafts.

While Megan and Alex swam, John and Ben did some cleaning on the boat.  It looked pretty nice when they were done.

We finally decided it was time to haul up the anchor and go home.  Alex was so cold when she got out of the water, she was shaking!

On the way home, both girls got to drive the boat and I think they enjoyed that.  It's nice to have the GPS with a track that they can follow.

We arrived at Birch Point at 4:45 and John and Ben put Whitecap away.  A good time was had by all.

Holbrook's for Lobster Rolls

Underway from Birch Point at 4:30 PM with John, Betsey and Jane aboard.  We headed downriver for Holbrook's and some lobster rolls!  Summer is rolling to an end and this is the last weekend Holbrook's will be opened!  It doesn't seem possible.  When we got to Holbrook's, there were two boats on the float.  One at each end and not room enough for us in the middle.  We backed in to the inside of the float and were able to secure Whitecap there.  We went up and ordered our dinner and ate at one of the tables at the end of the pier.  When we finished, Jim Drake came along in his Hampton with Joan, his son and grandson and a cast of thousands.  We were about finished and left soon after they arrived.

We took a spin across the New Meadows and into the Basin to look at the boats.  There were some nice sailboats anchored for the night.

We then headed for home because it was getting dark.  We enjoyed a nice sunset too. 

We had to use the running lights and mast lights for the first time this summer.

They all worked just fine.  We arrived at Birch Point at 7:00 PM.

Portland

Underway from Birch Point with BZ and WD aboard at 9:30 AM.  We headed down river with BZ at the helm and headed out the New Meadows between Flag Island and Long Ledge.  Then we headed west between Ragged Island and the White Bull.  We had started a little later than we wanted to and were hoping to see some of the lobster boat races in Portland Harbor.  After that there were supposed to be Tugboat Races!  We were traveling along nicely with no wind to speak of so we decided since we were late anyway and in no real hurry, we'd go out to Half Way Rock.  We had never done that before.

We found Half Way Rock Light to be in a state of disrepair for the most part.  The light tower looked okay, but the boat house and access ramp were not in good shape at all.  However. there must have been 25 or 30 seals swimming around out there, so the fishing must have been good.  BZ had yielded the wheel to WD because she wanted to take photos.

From Half Way Rock, we headed for Ram Island ledge light.  That is in a state of disrepair also but it is privately owned, so perhaps there is some hope for that one.

Across the bay at the mouth of Portland Harbor is the poster child lighthouse for the State of Maine, Portland Head Light.  That one still stands tall and is in pristine condition.

I was concentrating on getting a photo of Portland Head Light with the light blinking when, BAM, we hit a pot bouy!  Pieces of Styrofoam came flying out the stern of the boat and we were slowed down by the weight of the trap at the end of the line, which was not cut by our cutters!  We finally got rid of the trap, but we still had line wound around our shaft and if we sped up, we got a severe shimmy in the boat.  What to do?  We decided we would head slowly for home at 6 knots!

I did take a photo of the Portland Breakwater Light before we turned around.

We turned eastward and came along between Mackwith Island and first Little Diamond Island and then Great Diamond Island.  We crossed Hussey Sound with Long Island to our right and passed between Long Island and Little Chebeague where there is a State Park and plenty of boats were anchored enjoying the beach on Little Chebeague.

We came through the passage between Great Chebeague and Long Island and went between Hope Island and Great Chebeague.  We passed between Hope Island and Sand Island and went out into Broad Sound.  We came across Broad Sound into Potts Harbor.  All of this at 6 knots so we had plenty of time to plan what we were going to do next!  We came out of Potts Harbor into Merriconeag Sound.  We headed north to the Cribstone Bridge.  We went under the bridge at pretty near low tide, but not quite.  The depth sounder alarm went off so it would not be a good idea to go under the Cribstone at dead low water!  From here, we headed east again across the bay and up the New Meadows River.  We stopped for gas at Watson's on the way home.  We arrived at Birch Point at 4:45 PM.  A good time was had by all in spite of the rope on the propeller shaft.


WD called Jimmy Kohling and had him dive down and get the rope untangled.

Bailey Beach #2

Underway from Birch Point at 1:30 PM with Megan, Alex, Ben, BZ and WD aboard.  We headed down river for a ride and to go to Bailey's Beach for a swim.  The first time we went to Bailey's Beach, Megan was off to summer camp in Limestone, so she didn't get to go.  We proceeded down river toward Small Point.  The wind was fresh and there were a lot of sailboats out on the river.  We saw Jeff and Margie Geiger out in their catboat so we waved hello.

We also saw "All Set" out on the river doing speed trials because the Lobster Boat races are in Portland tomorrow and "All Set" is sure to be one of the faster boats at the races.

 West Point was looking particularly nice with the sun on it so I took a photo of that village as we passed by.

When we got to Small Point, were plenty of Small Point class boats out enjoying some sailboat racing in the bay.  It was like I95 on a Friday night in the middle of a hot summer there for a while and you had to pick your way across to the beach!

Alex was in the water headed for the beach before anyone else got wet!  She did some running into the water with her raft several times before she came back to see where Megan was.  Megan got in the water and they both took rafts in to the beach.  This is a good swimming beach because it drops off fast and you can anchor a large boat like ours pretty close to the beach and still have 10 or 12 feet of water under you.

The girls played on the beach and finally their father joined them.  The water was only 64 degrees or so, so no one stayed in very long and Alex's lips were blue when she finally came out of the water!

We finally pulled up the anchor and headed back to Birch Point.  We made swings through West Point behind Burnt Island and then over to Sebasco.  We went through Sebasco Harbor but didn't go through the Basin because it was getting to be time to go home.  We arrived at Birch Point at 5:00 PM.  We left Ben and the girls off at the float and WD and BZ put Whitecap to bed.  A good time was had by all.

Middle Bay Swim Cruise

We arranged to meet Ben at Birch Point at 2:00 PM for a short swim cruise.  We were the first to arrive, so we launched the dinghy and went out to get Whitecap ready.  We picked up Ben, Megan and Alex at the float and were underway at 2:15 PM.  We decided to go up into Middle Bay and drop the hook so Megan and Alex could swim.  When we arrived, the water temp was 67.9 degrees!  Alex was the first in the water.  She had the raft, so we blew up the second raft foe Megan to use.

 They tied each raft to the stern lines and had a good time trying to stand up on them.

 Ben joined them and the three of them had a good time horsing around.

Toward the time to haul up the anchor, Megan decided she wanted to jump off the cabin roof.  She got up and did the jump.  It was so much fun, she did it again with Alex!  We finally hauled up the anchor and went back downriver to Birch Point.  We saw Peter Doran giving someone a tow!  He must wear a halo!  We arrived at Birch Point at 5:00 PM.  Ben helped WD put Whitecap away.  A good time was had by all!

Bailey Beach

Underway from Birch Point at 2:00 PM with Betsey, WD, Ben and Alex aboard.  We took off from the mooring because Bill had his boat tied to the end of the float.  Alex brought her swim gear, so we had to find a place to swim.  The sky was partly cloudy and the humidity and hot air has finally given us a break!  It's nice out!  Ben was at the helm.  We headed down river with an eye to going in to Small Point Harbor.  On the way down, Alex got out my camera and took a few shots of the crew.  The first two shots below are ones she took.  We went through Sebasco Harbor and around Harbor Island.  When we got to Small Point, we decided to do the harbor tour first because we were almost at low tide and it is hard to get into Small Point at low tide.  We needed a little direction from another boat in order to do all the zigs and zags to get into the harbor.  I have never seen it when it has been this low because we usually plan to come when it is high tide. 

 When we wove our way around the sandbars and came out of the Harbor, we dropped the anchor at Bailey's Beach and Alex and Ben went swimming.  The water temp was 61 degrees or so. 

 Ben and Alex swam in to the beach and did some running into the water.  They had a good time.

 There was a dad who had a little sailboat and was taking his two kids out and sailing around with them.  They had a good time.

We finally hauled up the anchor at about 4:45 PM and headed home.  It was a nice ride and was something we had not done before.  Alex had a good time too.  Megan left for Limestone and Math Camp this morning.  We will have to take her here when she gets back!

We arrived back at Birch Point at about 5:45 PM.  We landed at the mooring and WD rowed Alex and Ben back to the float so they could get home.  BZ put Whitecap to bed and then rowed in with WD.  A good time was had by all.

Blue and White Classic Cruise

Underway from Birch Point at 1:45 PM with BZ, WD, Paul Johnson, Connie Johnson, Fred Hill and Marty Hill aboard.  It is even hotter than yesterday.  The sky is clear and we are getting full sun.  Hot and humid!  This is the boat ride that was offered as a silent auction item at the Blue and White Golf Classic.  We got everyone loaded into the boat at the float and headed down river to do the same tour that we did yesterday.  Most of the assembled guests spent the time under the cockpit roof.  We didn't get much relief from the heat being out on the water.  Every once in a while, we would get a breeze that was a little cool, but most of the time it was HOT!  After we did our tour, we went to Cundy's Harbor and landed at Holbrook's Wharf.  Since the raffle item included lobster rolls at Holbrooks, we all went up and had dinner.  The ride back to Birch Point was a tad cooler.  The trip was a lot more fun than I expected it to be and I enjoyed getting to know our guests a little better.  We arrived at Birch Point at about 6:00 PM and BZ and WD put Whitecap to bed after dropping our passengers off on the float.

New Meadows Tour

Underway from Birch Point at 2:00 PM with Bill, Frances, Jane, BZ and WD aboard.  IT WAS HOT, HOT, HOT.  We motored over and into Brigham's Cove then on down the east side of Phippsburg.  WD gave a running commentary about who used to live where and told stories in the manner that his sisters love.  We went up into the Basin and looked at the house that is being built there.   After our tour of the Basin, we continued down through Sebasco Harbor and then around Harbor Island and into the harbor at the Lodge.  We continued on through West Point Harbor and then around Carrying Place Head and into West Point.  We headed back home from this point.  When we got to Cundy's Harbor, we saw a huge sailing yacht!  BZ whipped out her camera and began to snap photos.  The sailboat came up river and past the cottage at Birch Point.  We watched it all the way along.  We arrived at Birch Point at about 5:00.  WD and Bill put Whitecap away.

  Here we are at Cundy's Harbor

 It came about at the entrance to Cundy's and headed across the river toward the Basin.

 When the yacht came to the Basin, we began to wonder if they were going to go in, but they came about again and headed up river once more.

First Visit to the Rope Swing

After bidding a fond farewell to Hazel, Addie and their parents, we headed off again on the boat bound for Quahog Bay and the rope swing!  We got underway at about 1:30 PM with BZ, WD, Ben, Megan and Alex aboard.  Both Alex and Megan got a chance to drive Whitecap on the way over.  We came up Ridley's Cove and across between Yarmouth Island and Bethel Point.  It was VERY hot!  Alex was, again, wet almost before the anchor was.  She swam over to the rope swing.  The tide was not ideal for using the swing, so she came back in order that Ben could go over and check it before she tried.  They both did a jump and decided it was okay, but not for much longer as the tide was going.

 Megan and Alex both had a wonderful time in the water and even Grampa took a dip! 

 Alex cut her knee on the swim platform and had to have first aid administered!

We finally hauled up the anchor at about 5:00 PM and headed back to the New Meadows.  We went back the long way.  Out Quahog Bay into Casco Bay and across to the New Meadows.  We arrived at Birch Point at 6:00 PM.  Alex and Ben put Whitecap to bed.  A good time was had by all.

Hazel and Addie at Camp Whitecap

When Hazel and Addie woke up from their naps, we were off to Birch Point.  When we got there, Ben and Alex were out getting Whitecap ready to bring in to the float.  Deb and Megan were sitting in the shade.  It was extremely warm, so any coolness the ocean could bring us, we welcomed!  When Ben and Alex arrived with Whitecap, we all piled in and slathered on sunscreen!  

 We drove down to the Basin and anchored.  Alex was in the water about when the anchor chain got wet.  Hazel and Addie were a little apprehensive about this jumping in the water bit.

When Daddy undressed and jumped in they were even more so!  They relaxed a little and laughed and clapped at all the antics after a bit. 

We were on a tight schedule, so we began eating supper at about 5:00 PM.  Nana made grilled cheese for Alex and Megan.  She also brought some chicken salad which disappeared.  Megan discovered she liked the chicken salad so she had some of that too!

We hauled up the anchor and started for home at about 5:45 PM and arrived at Birch Point at a little after 6:00.  Alex and Ben put Whitecap to bed.  Alex picked up the mooring float with the boat hook like she had been doing it all her life.
A good time was had by all.

Hard to believe our family now numbers ten and 8/9th people!

Over She Goes!

After agreeing to meet Grunion at the storage shed at 2:00, he finally arrived at 3:00 or so.  Whitecap made it out of the shed without any problems and slid into the water nicely.  After a bit of cranking (this happens every year), she started and we were underway down the New Meadows with Ben, John, Alex, Megan and Betsey aboard.  Before long Nana produced a container of cookies and it was all down hill from there!  We came down the river on the east side of the "middle ground" because the tide was coming in and there was plenty of water.  It got cold as we hit the ocean breezes so we all had to don our sweat shirts.  Alex and Megan rode on the bow, so they were extra cold.  Alex donned two sweatshirts as seen below where she grabs another cookie!

 After letting off passengers and putting "SeaNut" in the water, Whitecap goes out to her NEW mooring. 

 Alex did the ferry service in from Whitecap after she was put to bed.  Nice job, Alex!

 Megan practices her rail walking while waiting for the boat to be put to bed.  She also helped Alex with the ferry service.

However, we will have to watch out for the new dock boy at Birch Point, he looks like one nasty dude!