The greatest moment and one of the greatest ever sailing was seeing huge, like really huge splashes near the horizon. Whales! Too far away for my crummy camera to capture but huge in the eyes of the binoculars. Wow! Breaches high above the water, about 4 or more whales. Really a once in a lifetime kind of sight. They kept going for about 20 minutes.
Wish I could draw a picture. Really the kind of thing you need to see in person. They are so big. I think they were Right Whales or Humpbacks.
The rest of the 12 hours up to Portland was a view of heavy and light fog. We came closer to Cape Elizabeth where I lived for almost 10 years. The first lighthouses we almost see are known as 2 lights that usually have a significant fog horn, but strangely not today. On the land side there is 2 Lights State Park. Cape Elizabeth has the most parks and greatest public access to the water of any of the Portland suburbs. Then famous Portland Head, a lighthouse that was commissioned by George Washington and one of the most visited lighthouses because it is easily accessible located in beautiful Fort Williams Park.
We motored out of the fog into the sun and put our sails up to sail into town.
We head down the channel with House, Little Diamond, Cushing and Peaks Islands to the north and South Portland on the south into the busy port with ferries, cruise liners, tankers, cargo ships, sail and motor boats, schooners, a real working harbor.
The next light is Spring Point Light
Next is Bug Light off Thompson Park where they often have kite festivals. Also a great viewing spot for 4th of July fireworks that are set off Eastern Prom.
Continuing into Portland Harbor, Casco Bay we head toward the draw bridge, 2nd largest in the world seeing a lot of boats along the way.
One large German cruise ship was on its way out with no tug boats, all bow thrusters to push away from the dock and head out to sea. Portland Harbor is also one of the deepest natural harbors north of Boston.
We passed tourist filled schooner ships that give sunset cruises in the summer with Portland Head Light in the background.
Constant ferry service through the Calendar islands. As you can see this is one of the best sailing areas in the world with picturesque views everywhere and little harbors and anchorages tucked into all the islands.
We motored into the South Port Marine slip at 6 pm southportmarine.com , the marina most protected and closest to the drawbridge with a view of Portland. It's nice because it is near good restaurants, a market and cafes. The down side is it is in the flight path for the airport and has planes fly overhead as they land. We had dinner with 4 friends at the nearby Snow Squall Restaurant.
Mid October we will take the boat over to Maine Yacht Center maineyacht.com to be hauled out and stored in the large shed.
Until we sail again, Ciao.
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