I shot up to Wiscasset this week to beat the heat on the water. We had a couple of choices, but ultimately decided to head out to North Haven Island for a few hours. And thank heavens we did, because if we hadn't, how would I have discovered that this is the place that Mo and I will spend the summers when it becomes too hot to stay in Savannah? Here's the town's official description of the island:
North Haven is an island town proud of its traditions, its independence, its treasured natural beauty and its unique community of twelfth generation natives, fourth (as well as first) generation seasonal residents, retired and pre-retired baby boomers, maverick spirits, new arrivals, young year-round families, old bachelors, reconstructed hippies, young farmers, not-so-young Grangers, artists, sailors, artisans, fishermen, boat-builders, babies, politicians (of past, present and future renown), actors, makers-of-many-things, brides, romantics and curmudgeons. There is overlap among these categories.
The hour long ferry ride from Rockland seemed to fly. We knew we were getting close when we passed the Fiddler Ledge Daybeacon.
When we were heading through the Fox Islands Thorofare, the yacht club summer campers were racing in their North Haven Dinghies. Totally reminded me of our summers at Cataumet Club Junior Camp, when I swear we spent longer pumping out the bilges of the Beetle Cats than we did sailing in Squeteague Harbor.
And speaking of Beetle Cats, DickieJ and I spent Tuesday night discussing what the perfect daysailer would be. I, without looking at prices, chose the sailboat(s) you see pictured below right. A Herreshoff 12 1/2. How expensive could that be? She's only 12 1/2 feet at the waterline! It would be the perfect sailboat to keep on the mooring at the Wiscasset YC! Then I looked it up. Gulp! Looks like we're back to our roots and the Beetle Cat. Small world that North Haven's moorings were littered with the most graceful small wooden boat around, though! A positive sign, indeed.
Here's DickieJ checking out the woodshop at the famed Brown's Boat Yard.
The windjammer American Eagle heading through the Thorofare in front of the North Haven Casino (Yacht Club). Utterly breathtaking.
Mom and Dad enjoying the ferry back.
This dude was flying. This boat was tiny. And he was heading well out to sea. Good times!
After we disembarked, we headed to Owl's Head to see what's new in our old neighborhood. We stopped into the Transportation Museum as they were having a preview for this weekend's big Transportation Auction. I fell in love with this little machine -- how much fun would that be to drive around town a few times a year!?! Maybe next year...
