Sailing

 8/13- Rockland ME

   Today was an incredible day. We started with a walk on the island. There was a nice beach on Mullin Head and there were dirt track roads all over the place. All of them led to other beaches. We walked down to a couple of these stone beaches which were great especially since it was low tide. As we were walking back to the dinghy we saw a couple digging clams so we went to talk to them. They were pulling these huge clams called Hen Clams out just by reaching under the water. We badgered them with so many questions that they finally said take some. We picked up 2 clams which as it turns out was more than enough for dinner for the both of us. 

   By this time the wind was starting to wake up so we returned the anchor to its proper position on the bowsprit and raised some sails. We sailed downwind as we had to dodge a bunch of islands that kept popping up. Once we turned the corner the wind of course took a sabbatical. Eventually after about an hour we put on the motor to bump us up to the wind. Then we took off. The wind slowly clocked around the island and built. We didn’t have to worry about cleaning the mud from the anchor off the deck as we had that rail buried. We pinched in to try to clear the green can. As we got close it was apparent that we would not make it but as it was high tide I said what the heck and we sailed right over the reef. 

   No sooner had we cleared the ledge when we sailed straight into a fog bank. We had about a half mile of visibility so we turned on the radar. It was exciting to be sailing along at 6 knots and not be able to see more than a half mile. Soon as we neared the Rockland breakwater the cloud parted. 

    Then we turned our attention to our clam friends and had a great dinner of spaghetti with Alfredo and clam sauce. 

By the way did anyone see any meteors last night. I did see one so much for 100 an hour. 

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