Sept 10, Castine, ME

Motored out of Northeast Harbor into Somes Sound and then into Southwest Harbor just to look around. Hinkley's origional sailboat yard is here in Southwest Harbor. Lots to see up here and we find that we could easily spend more time here just looking at the beautiful landscape of mountains, harbors, anchorages, homes and villages. We motor about 30 miles up the Eggemoggin Reach in a heavy overcast with some fog and very cool weather and arrived in Castine about 4pm.

Southwest Harbor

Southwest Harbor

Fog is behind us

There was a lot of fog out today on the water and covering the hills above 100 feet. Visibility was quite limited by the fog and we kept close watch on the chartplotter and radar. Certainly glad to have these electronic aids and do not know how the sailors in times past did what they did under these conditions without our electronics. We never did have the fog completely envelope us on this run but it came close. Several times it seemed only 100 yards behind us and gaining but never overtook us. Actually was a very pretty day on the water but not the BIG VIEWS that we get when the weather is clear.

Lighthouse on Eggemoggin Reach passage

Castine Cadets and an old salt sailor in town

Castine is a small community of 800 and has the Maine Maritime Academy here which adds another 800 students and faculty to the area. Town was founded in the 1600's and has been invaded from the water several times.






Tides here were big, about 12 feet. The season is winding down here and most boats were getting readey to come out for the winter.

KOKOMO II at low tide

Near high tide

We had dinner at Dennett's Restaurant (about the only one in town) right above Dennett's Marina where our boat was docked. Dennett's Restaurant has dollar bills on the very high ceiling inside and we added our dollar bill to their collection. The owner uses a 50 cent piece and a thumb tack to get them to stick and got our dollar to stick up there in the first try.

Artists take a seminar to improve their skill

We enjoyed the ambiance of the town. Saw several artists working on their paintings on the dock.

Plackard for BOWDOIN commerating her Artic voyages

BOWDOIN

We toured some of the Maine Maritime Academy and saw a 1921 wooden sailboat that had successfully gone to the Artic for several expeditions and returned.

Maine Maratime Academy training ship

Dave Powell was in charge of Chevron's tanker fleet for several years and talked to two of the professors at the Maine Maratime Academy as he remembers recruiting some of their graduates for Chevron's fleet of tankers. The professors remembered Dave and said Chevron still came there to recruit and that they are still sending some graduates to Chevron. Nice memories for Dave Powell.