Winding our way back Home

Our trip back was as much fun as the trip north. We started back by heading south around Port Clyde to Allen Island. Very quiet and no other boats in the cove where we anchored. At low tide we realized why - we were too close to some rocks, but fortunately, we never touched them. We waited for the morning fog to burn off before continuing across Muscongus Bay to Linekin Bay. We anchored right off the Linekin Bay Resort, and wondered what it would be like to spend a week as a guest there.

Next, we headed around to Cundy's Harbor where we were able to meet up with Deb and Jody for a late afternoon sail. Afterward, we went ashore for lobster at the Holbrook General Store and Co-op. It's been kept alive by locals who don't want the waterfront taken over by condo development. After we said our good-byes, we planned the 16 hour passage from Cundy's Harbor to Gloucester.

We decided to hold off departing till 1000 so that we would arrive the next morning after sunrise. But the nice north wind, got us about 3 hours ahead of schedule. Around 0300 we shortened sail to slow us down and arrived at 0615 just at sunrise.

We found a place to anchor off a beautiful sandy beach and hit the sack. The night passage was easy, as we had a following wind and no wave action at all. Our GPS went dead when we attemppted to turn on the light, so we had to navigate using the GPS at the chart table. Also, the compass light decided to go out, and we had to use a flashlight to check our course. Otherwise, it was a beautiful night, with lots of bright stars - no moon.

After a swim, we hauled anchor and went into the inner harbor where we picked up a mooring at Brown's Marina. The annual Schooner Fistival was starting, so we were just in time. We spent the rest of the day ashore, taking in the Fishermen's Memorial, the Maritime Museum and the Farmers' Market. The next day we met Mark Wolfe for lunch at a dandy gourmet lunch place called Passports. We biked all over Glouceste looking for a good deal on a chartplotter, but didn't make a purchase. The next day, we moved to a dock, and met Angela and Tom for supper. Watched the Parade of Lights, the fireworks and ate a fantastic fish supper. It was good to catch up old friends.

Off the next day at the crack of dawn we had to hustle to make the 1630 current change in the Cape Cod Canal. With a favorable breeze, we made it with ease, and zipped through around 1400. We came to rest in Marion's outer harbor and spent a peaceful night on the hook. Bertha finally got to swim in comfortable, warmer water.

Next we made our way to Tarpaulin Cove, where we found loads of smaller power boats. We realized that it was Saturday and Sunny! They were all gone by sundown and we had the place to ourselves - with five other cruising sailboats. I snorkled some, but found the visibility very poor.

Next we sailed up to Padanaram where we rented a mooring from the NBYC. Very nice. Met Frank Graves, a Brewer 44 owner and very nice fellow. Had supper at the Black Bass and walked around a lot.

Our last day, saw dying breezes as we made our way across Buzzards' Bay to Sachuest Pt. We anchored at dusk and spent the night trying to get ready to end our cruise. The next day I went spearfishing, but didn't bring in a fish. The first time I've gotten skunked there.

We left around 1400 and arrived at our mooring around 1600. Coling picked us up and we went to the Moulin Rouge for a homecoming celebration.

Great to be back at home again - for a while.