Once More into the Tent

 On Wednesday, Sept. 9, we returned to Hermit Island, which was the campground at which we started our camping adventures in 2017. This time Marnie got us the best site we've had or seen--right above Casco Bay, but totally private, with bushes all around. The video shows our environment. Unfortunately, the day was a bit gloomy and we did not swim, although the water was warm enough. As usual, it was hash for supper, but bacon and eggs for breakfast. We found we are less spry than we were last time we tented at Hermit Island, but we can still do it!

"You're muted"

 The days roll by. On my home page I have a counter to election day; it seems to be counting down pretty rapidly. And that's all to the good. When we are by the election and the COVID things can slow down--I hope. Meanwhile, there is not a lot of meaning in the passing of time. Life is tamped down by the two horrors and many of our usual small pleasures are not available. However, I got quite a lift from signing us up for a trip to the Azores next April. If we can go, it will be our fourth. Perhaps we will stay there.

Blessed

Tonight, as we often do, we boated along Doubling Point after supper. The sun was setting, the reflected light on the trees to the East was golden, the water was still. Huge puffy cloud formations, colored by the sinking light, were inspiring--we can't see them from home. And today at our house were our two daughters, a son-in-law, and four grandchildren. Our life here is blessed, and we know it. 

Around the Horn

 Thursday was a lovely day, a bit hot, and the seas were fairly calm, so we set off downriver, thinking of going out to Seguin. But there was a quite a bit of chop as we approached Perkins Island. We altered course, exploring Bay Point and Kennebec Point before rounding Indian Point and heading for the Sheepscot. On the way up we cruised through 5 Islands and popped into Robinhood to see if we could spot the pilothouse ketch belonging to the folks who are hoping to build in one of the Campbells' lots. We caught them as they were heading back to their mooring, having acquired material for a week's cruise downeast. An early supper at 5 Islands was punctuated by a rude seagull, who swooped down upon our onion rings (mostly consumed by then) and knocked over Grandma's wine. Interesting day.

The Porch is Done

At last the conversion to a 3-season room is done! The final part was replacement of the screens in the triangles above the western wall with plexiglass. That happened today. The glass is so clear that you can't see it, and at first I though Kane had not done the job. But there it is. We have already enjoyed being able to use the porch when the wind blows hard and then to open it when the weather is hot. Glad it's finished.

Time

Funny how the days stretch a bit, and the week seems long--till we get to the end of it and realize it is gone. Our time is not punctuated by travel, entertainment, dining out, or any of the other usual activities. Thus it seems to rush by. The research I did for our camping book told me this would be true, but now we are living it. It would be wonderful to be able to travel freely, socialize freely, eat freely at restaurants. Our feeble initiative will be a neighborhood croquet game a week for Sunday. Although this sounds like a bit of a whine, we know we are doing very well under these circumstances.

Bingo

We hit it for real today. Seeing calm seas andfavorable tides, we cast off at 8 and motored to Damariscove, where we tied up to the one free mooring. It had been ten years or so since we last visited this beautiful island, and we hiked once again up to the tower. The path had been well tended and most of the world-class poison ivy had disappeared. Our return took us up the back side of Damariscove and into Boothbay Harbor, which was very very quiet. For lunch we tied up in Townsend Gut at Robinson's Wharf, which was gussied up and expanded...and packed. We lunched on the deck and it was good. I enjoyed my first draft beer since March. Home to a hot day and the McGraths swimming off the float.