Friends, Old and New

We’ve made it to Maine! The trip has taken us through some familiar waters and stops along the way; Block Island, Cuttyhunk, New Bedford, Onset and Provincetown. It has indeed felt like visiting old friends.

The Cocktail Hour on Block

Acacia

 We met some new friends as well. Does this boat look familiar to you? No, that is not our boat! It is an almost-twin to Valkyrie, another Southern Cross 35 called Acacia, 
owned by Rick and Lynn, a couple from Long Island. The two Ricks had a grand time comparing notes about their boats and other sailorly stuff, while Lynn and I discovered even more striking similarities - she is a violinist also! What are the chances? Lynn even studied at Eastman, my own alma mater.

We shared a couple of wonderful evenings with Rick and Lynn, alternating our time between boats. We had such a good time with them that I completely forgot to take any pictures, other than of their boat. They say they will probably be at Block when we make our return voyage going South, so hopefully we will get to see them again in August. I promise, I will take some pictures!

Todd McGowan is one of Rick's favorite people with whom to discuss philosophy. Todd and his family live in Vermont, but they made a special car trip down to New Bedford to visit us on the boat, and also to see the New Bedford Whaling Museum. Todd's wife Hilary is also an academic, but with their energetic twelve-year-old twins in tow, not much philosophizing occurred (which was fine by me). We had a great time seeing them. The boys loved climbing around aboard the boat, swimming overboard, and above all getting towed in the dinghy (while trying to push each other out). They were a fun, rambunctious duo and happily, Valkyrie and all of the participants survived!

Todd McGowan

Sibling Rivalry Exhibit A

Three boys, approximately the same age!

Other than meeting up with friends, we have been taking it rather easy. I do a great deal of reading while on the boat, and Rick loves to take pictures of me performing this activity. Probably because I manage to look so ridiculous doing it.

Finally, a flattering shot!

Not that much swimming has been going on this summer, mostly because the weather has been surprisingly mild in the heat department. I have had some specific difficulties though, having to do with my aging and decrepit body. I have had nerve compression issues for the last ten years, and they have finally caught up to me enough so that I have been unable to play my violin for over a year. Most of my problems come from my neck, and swimming has a tendency to bring on symptoms with a vengeance. I have figured out that I can do backstroke and back crawl without issues because my neck can remain straight, but I am avoiding diving or jumping into the water just in case that might make me worse. So that means, in order to get into the water I have to slowly go down the swim ladder. If the water is the slightest bit cold, this method makes for a torturous entry - I would much rather just get in and get it over with!

 Rick's beard has been growing like wildfire. It's tough, and even a bit dangerous to keep clean-shaven on the boat. But I can't even imagine what it must be like for him to deal with that much hair on his face while trying to eat pizza and clams.

Our much-looked-forward-to meal at Mark Anthony's in Onset

In Provincetown, we took an afternoon cruise on the Kalmar Nyckel, a replica of a seventeenth century Dutch sailing ship. Rick was in his element, pitching in with the volunteer crew when possible. I love the fact that the three top officers of the ship, including her captain, are women!

The Kalmar Nyckel

Captain Lauren Morgens at work

Captain Becky, also at work!

 On our way north from Provincetown we passed through the Stellwagon Marine Sanctuary, a section of water in which we almost always see whales. Getting pictures of them is much more difficult than spying them though, and I generally don't bother any more. The whales are usually quite far away, and they are only momentarily on the surface of the water. Any pictures you might get only look like tiny black blobs in a large sea of water. This time however, we had a forty-to-fifty foot whale show up right next to our boat! He passed in front, maybe thirty yards from our bow, and I grabbed my camera. Even that close up, my pictures are still pretty lame. How do those National Geographic people do it?

 After an overnight sail from Provincetown, we anchor at the aptly-named Jewel Island, just outside of Portland. The shoreline is quintessentially Maine, with jagged rocks and spruce. We have visited here before, and jump at the chance to go ashore and explore.  The island forms a beautiful and protected miniature crescent harbor that fills up fast with anchored boats. The locals call it "Cocktail Cove" because it is such a popular spot to spend the night, and presumably party. We fit right in!