Atlantic Sojourn

On Thursday, i made one of my swings down east  to deliver some sails and check out the Atlantic Main we built last week.  My usual route is 295 to Gardiner them up some back roads through Chelsea, Windsor and Somerville to Route 3 and on to Belfast.  One of the best parts of this trip is cresting the top of the hill above Belfast.  Penobscot Bay lies spread out before you, with Ilseboro ahead and Blue Hill and the Sleeping Giant of Mount Desert Island ahead in the distance.  This shot from not-my-best digital doesn't do it justice, but gives a hint.

I stopped at a couple of boatyards where the summer boats of the short vacation residents are beginning to be put to bed for the winter.  Then on to Blue Hill and the Kollegewidgewock Yacht Club.  There I met up with Skipper Will Taylor for a couple of afternoon races on the Pizzazz

The weather was a perfect example of the best a Maine summer can produce.  Crystal clear with a brisk 10-15 knot southwesterly breeze, with just enough oscillation to make for interesting racing.  Despite a couple of weak starts we managed a 1st and a 4th out of 10 boats, so the new mainsail, although to my eye needing a tweak here and there, was deemed a success. 

Then, on to Ellsworth for some Thai food with Phyllis from Acadia sails and her partner Scott.   I delivered a more interesting sail to Phyliis,  but more on that later.   Finally, a long drive home and a deep sleep.