Freeport,Maine to Yarmouth, Nova Scotia

 A little more on our adventure.We are presently enjoying Yarmouth. N.S. and waiting to see what course hurricane 'Leslie takes. We are safe and sound at the town wharf (as they call the docks) here. We are now on the last leg of our jouney for this year.
  Maine waters are beautiful and except for lobsterpods everywhere we sure appreciated the waters and coastlines  in this part of our trip.  Camden, a lovely port in Penobscot Bay on the Maine coastline came highly recommended as a must see place. We are glad we stopped to enjoy this anchorage and town.. We stopped at 2 places on Mt. Desert Is.[also  the Acadia National Park], Bass Harbour on the southwest shore and Bar Harbour on the East shore. After one more anchorage we made it into our Canadian waters. On wed. Aug. 29  we were given a 2012 clearance number and welcomed back by the customs officer after making a phone call  from Head Harbour marina. This harbour is found on the top end of Campobello Island, N.B. Coming here we did deal with strong currents since this is where the Atlantic ocean, Gulf of Maine and the Bay of Fundy converge.

Camden MN

Adriana 1dwarfed by a small cruise ship Bar Harbor

Main st Bar Harbor

Lighthouse at Head Harbour Campobello Island NB

Bill picking up Klaas and Margaret from the wharf at St Andrew-by- the-sea

Klaas and Margaret whale whatching Bay of  Fundy

Fin whale Bay of Fundy

Tourist centre Yarmouth NS

Adriana 1 at the wharf in Yarmouth NS

   The next morning, August 30 we were enjoying a nice motor- sail heading to St. Andrews, N.B. when our engine overheated. With the engine off and sails up  Bill was able to clean out the through- haul and after a while the  coolant registered favourable temps. Now we were able to motor through a channel  with currents  and eddies into Passamoquoddy Bay to St. Andrews on the Sea. It was exciting to come to this port by water. We'd seen it by land a few times.This is the only time we've had the dock hand help us tie up to a mooring ball.  That was great. Now we were able to prepare for  the arrival of our sister and brother-in-law, Klaas and Marg.   Friday eve. at 7 after a few text messages, Bill was on the wharf ready to meet them and bring them to the boat by dingy . So good to see them!! We were given beautiful weather the whole time they were with us.We toured Ross Museum , an amazing flower garden.Enjoyed  hikes to a lookouts that offered amazing views of St Croix River etc. And to top it all we sure enjoyed the fin whales on the Monday and Tuesday we took the boat out to Campobello Island . Besides fin whales we saw one Humpback whale, seals, and lots of porpoises. Thanks to Klaas we were able to identify more sea gulls and terns by name. All in all God's creation amazes us ever day again-also in the sunsets. Wednesday a.m. was farewell again. Wednesday was also rain and fog. But we were thankful it cleared enough to make  anchoring possible . This was the first time we had to anchor without the engine since it over heated again. This time it was the 'belt' and an O ring on the strainer. This set us back one day. But the next day we had a good sail to anchorage on  east side of Grand Manan Island.From here we sailed to our current port, Yarmouth. We did have 2 -3 hours of fog but it cleared just as we turned into the channel. Praise God.

Salem MA to Portsmouth NH -pictures

Nathaniel Hawthorne's  "The House of Seven Gables"

Salem "Custom House"

Shawnie in The Friendship a reconstructed East India trading vessel

Our tour guide in Boston

Massachusetts State Capitol in Boston

Adriana1 tied to a barge in Gloucester harbour

Gloucester MA

Bill talking to a 94 year old lady ( look who's sitting )

Lighthouse at the Isle of Shoals NH

Wentworh by  The Sea,marina in Portsmouth NH

Yesterday we sent a blog describing our journey upto Freeport Maine today we will add a few pictures that were missed .We apologize for the mishap with the Plymouth MA pictures,however you did get to see David and Melissa's family on the boat and the Plymouth shore line in the background.More pictures will follow at a later date since we won't have internet connections for awhile.

Salem to Freeport

It's Tuesday, August the 21st. and we have been enjoying the waters and islands of the Maine coastlines in Casco Bay the past week . This Bay and area being one of the most famous sailing areas of the world. On August 8 our sons, Ian and Tim drove us to Buffalo . This is where we were able to take our rental car back to Salem and to Adriana 1.She was waiting for us on her mooring.The next morning we were able to reprovision before returning the rental car.Now it was time to explore Salem. The author, Nathaniel Hawthorne certainly was instrumental in putting this town on the map.We toured the Custom House. Hawthorne had worked here..Salem had been a bustling merchant shipping harbour in this time with ships trading in many ports of the world and America.His book 'The House with Seven Gables' brings many tourists here to see this house and grounds. We toured the Liberty, a reproduction of Samuel Adam's ship .. Salem was also known for the prosecution of people considered to be witches in 1692 .A sad part of their history. The next day we took the ferry to Boston and took in a walking tour that certainly imformed us of the inside and true story as to what happened with the Boston tea party and the instigators of the uprisings resulting in the American Revolution and ultimately their independendence .Boston has a beautiful reconstructed waterfront. We enjoyed this city. From Salem we made our way to Gloucester, still Massachusets. And still the town that the fisherman lost their lives at sea about 20 years ago and a film was made about this'The Perfect Storm' The marina sure didn't meet up to the fancy advertisement . We tied up to an old barge there. No electricity at first,but an electrian came to our rescue. Sunday we took a taxi to a neighbouring town, Ipswich and were thankful for a wonderful Sunday shared at First Presbyterian OP church. The Cook family took us under their wing and made the day very special.Thank you Kevin and Katheryn and family. Portsmouth, N.H.marina is part of the" Wentworth by the Sea"resort. What a contrast to the barge tie up. Beautifully groomed grounds, Lots of flowers everywhere. A swimming pool that we enjoyed.A courtesy car that helped us get groceries. After this we anchored out in 3 places-- Biddford Pool and Bay, Jewel Is., and Chebeague Is. before going to Portland, Maine .Since this was an anniversary week,[we left our home port on August 15 last year] we had a lovely lobster dinner at the Chebeague Inn. We also hiked Jewel Is.and found a concrete tower that was still there since WW2 along with ruins of tunnels and barracks . The tower offered panoramic views of the amazing waters and islands of Casco Bay, Maine.It was in this bay that we saw seals and also porposes while sailing. We spent the weekend in Portland,Maine. This town has been nicely restored and every other store is a restaurant..This is also where we could spend a blessed Sunday with the OPC congregation in Portland. A short trip brought us to South Freeport harbour. Pulling into the marina we were hailed by Jim and Christine our friends on ULLR who we hadn't seen since Marathon , Florida.That was January. While sharing lunch we could reminisce over our past experiences and places we'd both been.They had been as far as Eastport near our New Brunswick border and were heading south. We in turn are heading north to our Canadian waters.It was so good to see them again. Today we spent shopping in Freeport[LLBeans] Tomorrow we continue our way north. ( Pictures to follow)

Picture update

Hello all.We promised photos on our last blog.We are sending these from Portland, Maine.Since August 7th when we returned to Salem. Mass. we've enjoyed interesting ports and anchorages in Mass. N.H. and now beautiful Maine. That story will be for the next blog.

Tall ships in Newport harbour

The Breakers view from the cliff walk Newport RI

The cliff walk Newport RI



Inside view of the Tabernacle started as a Methodist revival tent about 1836



cottages that replaced the original tents using the same space,looking towards the Tabernacle

Street view in Edgartown Marthas Vineyard

view from restaurant in Edgartown

The Elms ,another cottage in Newport RI

Newport, Rhode Is. to Salem,Massachusetts

  We are writing this blog from our desk at home. We arrived home last Tuesday evening[17th].Leaving Boston/Salem area at 9 a.m. in a rented car-- we arrived in Buffalo at 4:30. From there our son Andrew brought us to our door in Markdale.We"re excited to spend these 3 weeks with kids and grandkids.We have Ian and Nadia and children home on furlough[from P.N.G.] and currently staying with us. And we've met our newest granddaughter Clara Johanna.
  Back to Newport, R.I.This is one of the busiest ports we have encountered. Since it was the week the tall ships were in this port, this tourist town was humming with people and tour boats. The mooring field we were in was packed with sailboats of all sizes.When we took our dingy to shore we had to work our way around these plus ferries, tour boats some being tall ships too.There was lots to see in this newport. We took the cliff walk past many old beautifully restored estates.One of these being the Breakers, the Cornnelius Vanderbilt estate. Some of these palacial estates have been taken over by S... Regina university. We left this mooring on Tues. July 10 out to Rhode Island Sound-- past the 6 or 7 tall ships that were on parade.At one point the coast guard put on their siren and starting heading towards us. we must have been  getting a little too close to the tall ships. I was still able to get some good photos. That afternoon we made it to a lovely anchorage near Vineyard Haven on Martha's Vineyard. This island has a great bus system. A day pass takes you to all the towns. So we visited Edgartown-lots of shops..  Oak Bluffs  drew a lot of tourists. This is where people would come for summer revival meetings. Bringing many belongings from home they would set up house in a big tent . Each year these places would become more sophisticated . today there are over 300 colourful homes on these tent sites. and a big open air meeting place they call the tabernacle in the centre of the compound. You can own the house but not the property.
On Thursday it was goodbye to Martha's Vineyard to Buzzards Bay on through the Cape Cod Canal and Bay to Plymouth. We again were on a mooring ball. This yacht club offered a great 'launch service' When you needed to go ashore they would come to pick you up right at our boat with one call on VHF radio. This worked out very well when David and Melissa and Marika, Calli and Esther arrived Friday afternoon.. What fun to have them aboard. Together we checked out the historical sites here. The replica of the Mayflower was docked in good view  not far from our boat. On saturday we were able to enjoy a nice sail out the channel and for a piece out in the ocean. We were looking for whales but can't claim any sightings. in the afternoon Plymouth Beaches beakoned us to soak in some sun and swim in the salt waters of the Atlantic. This included dingy rides big time-from our boat to the beach. Thank you , David
 Sunday was very special in that we could worship together with a OPC congregation in Barnstable on Cape Cod.The pastors mother, Mrs C. Labelle is member of the Jubilee Can. Ref. church in Ottawa.So David and Melissa could send regards.  It was sad to see the family go.But we knew we would see each other soon D.V.
 From Plymouth.we passed Boston to go to Salem,where we rented a mooring ball for a month so we could leave the boat there while we spend time at home..
Due to a computer technicality we will have to send photos later  .   .

New York pictures

Hello again.

Getting ready to sail "New York Harbour, Cindy W. on deck

Bill viewing New York from The Empire State Blg



Sailing in NY harbour

View over the Hudson River the Empire State Blg

Then foursome in the Empire State BLg

 Here are some pictures we tried to send last time re. New York.

New York, New York to Essex ,Connecticut

Today is Wed. July 11 and we are in a bay off the pretty island of Martha's Vineyard, Massachusetts, but we promised to tell you  more about New York first.We are relearning the new England States and   visiting them on Adriana 1.
 On Monday,June 25 th it was off to the big city  via the PATH, this time with Malcolm and Cindy and new experiences. The Empire State Building with it's view from the 86th story was amazing. The skies were clear and so were the 360 degree views.Besides seeing many of the same things as with Elissa and Ryan we went to the Guggenheim museum,a great architectural feat.We saw another part of the Central park- the lake.. We won't forget the 'bubble elevators' going up oh so high in the centre of the Marriot hotel. Cindy in front of the store' Forever 21' near Time Square and  Macy's. Dad's interview on Wall street.Cindy discovering  'Junior's restaurant and bakery'-One of the resources she had used for her baking class at home.Some more live theatre . This time  Disney's Lion King . All in all it was again a great time visiting New York City with great company. Somewhere in between we fit in a sail in New York harbour with Mal. and Cindy.
 Wed. eve it was goodbyes again. And Thursday around 10a.m. we took Adriana 1 out thru the  many ferries in the harbour to East river which has Manhattan on one side and Brooklyn on the other. We discovered Brooklyn is actually the bottom end of Long Island .We would be keeping this island on our starboard side for many days. We would also be sailing thru the waters along many of the New England states.. The waters were calm plus our timing was great to go through a place called Hell's Gate, which can be a treacherous spot if the waters are rough. We anchored out one night before we came to Essex,Connecticut. We decided to have our boat[engine] serviced here.This did result in a week stay because the engine mounts and a few hoses needed replacing. With the ordering of parts and July 4th holiday it all took longer. But Essex is certainly a pretty place to visit.History and museums kept us amused.Lots of lovely old, well preservered homes and lovely flower gardens kept luring us back for evening walks. We dingied up the Connecticut river for a piece one day. Our cove was enjoyed by families of swans, mallard ducks, canada geese and we even watched a family of mink[we think] swimming and chattering in our marina.We were thankful that Bob Osbourne took us to the grocery store for provisions.We had met Bob in a previous port. He'd said call when you get to Essex. Much appreciated.From Essex we anchored out at Fishers Island before we came to Newport, Rhode Island. Next time we will tell you about this busy harbour and city and the Tall Ships that were there.Martha's Vineyard will also be on the spotlight..

Due to poor internet connections pictures will follow.

Annapolis to New York

It's the last day of June and we are presently in Connecticut ,in a marina in the pretty town of Essex.This historic town is about 5 miles up the long Connecticut River.
 Finally we are back  to tell you about our journey up the Chesapeake Bay, across the Chesapeake-Delaware Canal and down the Delaware Bay to Cape May and up the Atlantic Ocean into New York harbour.
 With our repaired sail on board we left Annapolis on June the 13th. We motored north on the scenic  Chesapeake Bay, past  Baltimore and on as far as Sassafras River.We had this quiet anchorage to ourselves and when the wind died down after supper we were able to host the sail up and furl it nicely back into the mast.From here we made it through the C and D. canal to Delaware Bay.This is where the U.S. customs vessel came along side of our boat proudly flying the Canadian flag. The officer was very helpful,asked for our cruising no. and destinations and said we didn't need to call them again until Atlantic City.  Since St. Augustine, Fl., Bill has called U.S. customs each time we anchor or dock in the next state.We found the entrance to Cohansey River and planned to anchor in the first loop of the meandering river.We were greeted by thousands of green eyes . These are a type of horse fly that breed in these salt flats in June. While I swated flies we decided to follow this interesting, winding river to a marina we could see further up.Well it was worth the trip because the battle against flies dimished and the people on the docks invited us to come into their marina.The price was right aussi.We went for a walk and discovered farmland and a tree and shrub nursery.
 The next morning  we were able to enjoy a great sail to the bottom end of Delaware Bay, and then motor around the peninsula to  Cape May harbour.This resort town has miles of beautiful beaches and resort facilities. Also a quaint and touristy town.We enjoyed a lobster dinner here and meeting up with Steve and Debbie. We had met Steve in Marsh Harbour , Bahamas when we came back there  from home at Easter time.  We were able to share the Sunday with the PCA congregation . Thank you Joe and Nancy for picking us up.

Chesapeake Bay bridge near Annapolis MD

Farm along the Chesapeake

Chesapeake City at the C&D Canal

View from Adriana 1 to the Marina on the Cohancey River

Sailing in Delaware Bay

Shawnie in Cape May NJ

Atlantic Beach at Cape May

Victorian Mansion Cape MayAdd caption

Atlantic City Skyline NJ

Manasquan Inlet NJ

Statue of Liberty as seen from Adriana 1

N



World Trade Centre Ground Zero

Dinner at Restaurant 101 in Brooklyn NY

Times Square

Elissa and Ryan in a Broadway Theatre

Shawnie and Elissa in Central Park NY

 Tuesday saw us back on the Ocean to a great anchorage at Atlantic City.We  shared this big anchorage with 6 other sailboats. After a stop at Manasquan's new marina[Hoffman's] and getting provisions here, we  worked our way north to New York. Wow, we could could hardly believe we were that far on our trip and that we would be spending time in this big centre with---  first, Ryan and Elissa and then with Malcolm and Cindy.We motored around Sandy Hook through the channels to the New York harbour anticipating an intimidating busy seafaring place but except for many ferries criss-crossing the waters we met no challenges and soon found our marina on the New Jersey side of the Hudson River, right across from Manhattan. We stayed at Liberty Harbour Marina.Well protected and no current..This was Thursday, June 21st. From our marina we could see the Statue of Liberty, Ellis Island and the very dominating Manhattan sky line.All so amazing.Midday Friday our first guests arrived.It was so exciting to see Ryan and Elissa. After a lunch on board  and a serious thunderstorm --we walked  6 short blocks to the PATH ;this subway goes under the Hudson river to the World Trade Centre site.We walked the ground zero  memorial park and site. The photo may help you see this memorial. Very touching! We took photos on Wall Street. Trinity Church and more. Then the skies grew dark again. Good time to stop for dinner. We asked a man about a good place to eat. While talking it started to rain and this man says- go on my bus. He was telling us the best and less expensive place to eat is in Brooklyn. Before we knew it we were on our way to Brooklyn via bus .And the friendly bus driver dropped us off right in front of a great eatery.. After supper it was back on a subway to WTC -to the PATH and 6 blocks home[onto Adiana 1]The next day back to Manhattan. I think by now we were getting a little used to people everywhere. On the ferry to Ellis Island[two -thirds of the American immigrants from 1892-1924] came via this island]], then past the Statue of Liberty to New York[Manhattan]. Here more site seeing , more people.Some highlights were-- Time Square, Broadway with all it's live theatres, Central Park to name a few.On Sunday, our highlight was going to Messiah Fellowship Church[URC]downtown Manhattan.Worshipping and fellowshipping[with a lunch]with them was a blessing.

 Sunday evening it was goodbye to Ryan and Elissa. and enter Malcolm and Cindy. We hope to share those stories before we leave this port since  we have great WiFi now.We are here 'tilTuesday.  

   

Ellis Island NY