Sept 17, Gloucester, MA

We woke up this morning in Kennebunkport to an overnight low of 34 degrees. I hope this is the cold snap that will turn the leaves from green to the reds and yellows of fall. It was 34 on the coast, so it must have been cooler inland. Inside KOKOMO II was cozy. We are on shore power and the heaters (reverse A/C) are working fine. The weather forecast is for a warming trend for the rest of the week. We are glad. While we wanted the cooler weather, we really like it a little warmer than this.

Kennebunkport shop

Chick's Marina in Kennebunkport. KOKOMO II is in there somewhere

We are heading south again today. We left Kennebunkport about 11 am after a brisk walk to see the sights away from town and south of the marina. Several very nice hotels and restaurants in this direction. Would make a nice vacation spot.

Heading into the ocean from Kennebunkport

Lighthouse at at Cape Neddick, Maine

We motored in beautiful weather (60 degrees plus) to Portsmouth, NH for fuel and filled up at the fisherman's coop here. Diesel fuel was $2.54 and there were several lobster boats selling their catch on the docks.

The abandoned military prison dominates the Portsmouth harbor

We left Portsmouth about 3 pm and motored to the Annisquam River and entered it from the north side, where there are lots of pretty homes. The river winds through the marsh and is lined with homes and boats on moorings and the river gets more narrow as we go south. Soon the river runs out and we continuing on through the Blynman Canal which is dredged section of the waterway so we can go on south and through to Gloucester. We wait for a RR bridge and then one more small draw bridge to complete this delightful river/canal trip. It is a nice change of pace from the open ocean and a beautiful scenic cruise to boot.

Lighthouse marks the entrance to the Annisquam River

Large homes on the Annisquam

Channel is crowded with moorings and boats

Clearance of more than 60 feet

The abandoned factory adds an eclectic touch to the Gloucester Harbor

Large fishing boats in Gloucester

Gloucester Harbor

We motored about 50 miles today and ended up about 5:30 pm at a restaurant in the Gloucester Harbor called the "Madfish Grill" where we are tied up to the restaurant dock and have 50 amp power. We seemed to pass most of the Gloucester commercial fishing fleet as we head to the restaurant. There are some serious large boats here for fishing the George's Bank, one of the richest fishing grounds in the world. This is the home port for the sword fishing boats that were featured in the book "Perfect Storm". Those boats go for a month at a time and the fishing can be very good and profitable but there are always dangers from accidents, injury or weather.