Onward we go

 9/8- We are staying here for a few days while we wait for a weather window for the next hop. We would like to just jump down to Rockport MA which is about 60 miles away (10 hours). However the forecasted winds for the next several days are from the south which will be right on our nose. There are other options which include Portsmouth or the Isle of Shoals. So we wait and see what the weatherman brings.

   We walked into South Portland today to go to a grocery store. It was a nice walk and we found a pedestrian path on the way back. This is a really nice beach with very fine sand which will take weeks to get rid of on the boat. 

   We went to a very nice dinner at the home of the CD member who is letting us use his mooring. He had invited 3 other sailing couples and it made for an interesting evening. There was a big thunderstorm that went by just as he was picking us up and another huge storm just as we got back to the dinghy. We waited on shore as there was an incredible amount of lightning. We eventually got back to the boat safely and got to watch an amazing light show as the storm retreated into the distance.


9/9- Ok the constant rocking of the boat is starting to get to me. The end to end rocking I don't mind but this side to side jazz is wearing me down. I think it might have to do with the tides but there is also no wind.

   Anyway today was a beautiful day so we went in and visited Spring Point Lighthouse. It is National lighthouse day today so it was open for tours. We had to wait a while in line and climb up a sketchy ladder but it was worth it. The view from the top of the city was cool and we even got to poke ourheads into the lens up top.

   The rest of the day was spent lazing around and trying to find a way to make the weather forecast more palatable. It still doesn't look good for a while. And then there's this hurricane business. Lee is still down in the Caribbean but the forecasted path could bring it near New England. You can bet we are keeping an eye on it but at this point it could go anywhere.

   The boat continues to rock back and forth, back and forth, back and forth…….


9/10- Upon waking this morning the wind was north and no rain was in the forecast so we decided to take off. We left Willard Beach around 8:00am and headed around Cape Elizabeth. The skies were cloudy and it was cooler but we were moving in the right direction. We didn't get to sail much although from looking at the wind and sea state you'd have thought we could have. Unfortunately the wind was directly behind us which is a poor point of sail for us. Plus we had a long way to go so we ended up motoring again. The trouble with cruising like this is you need to make miles or rather you just want to get to your destination so you end up motoring more. Yes, Joe, I know you told me so.

    Anyway after a long day we pulled into the Portsmouth Yacht club and got a mooring. Just as we tied up to the mooring the skies opened and it rained for the next several hours. 

Interestingly the yacht club is in NH while the mooring is in Kittery, Maine. So when I ride the launch over to take a shower I go from ME to NH and back. 

     It felt good to get this leg of the trip over with. I don't care much for this section of the coast as all the harbors are fairly far apart so I was glad to get this done in one day. More rain tomorrow so we'll see if we stay here another day once we get up.

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