We left Fairhaven with emotions running the gamut. Sad to be leaving our friends the Isaksens. Sad that the rendezvous was over. Happy to be on the move again after a week at the dock. Happy that we were about to reach Maine, our summer homes which we had yet to see this year. Sad that our 2+ month trip together was ending. Happy that it had been such a success.
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| S/V Wolfhound in the foreground approaching the Cape Cod Canal |
Once again we timed the departure in order to enjoy favorable currents through the Cape Cod Canal. As we headed up Buzzard's Bay and joined the water traffic funneling down to the canal entrance, radio Channel 13 Canal Control remarked it was unusually busy for a Monday. Like so many times before, we admired a neighboring passage maker, the 55 foot ketch Wolfhound from the Cook Islands. We admired them; they admired us. As we passed, we shouted, "Are you going around the world?" They replied, "Yes. Very slowly!" They reported to Canal Control that they would spend the night in Provincetown, at the tip of Cape Cod, and the next in Halifax, Nova Scotia. Wait a minute. What about the rest of the fantastic New England coast? Had we shared an anchorage that night, we would have become friends and set them straight.
Our destination was Scituate south of Boston, not P'town. But as we exited the canal and entered Cape Cod Bay the sea conditions were so favorable that we decided to go to Manchester well beyond Beantown. It was a ten-hour 78-mile run in open water and the only challenge was dodging infrequent lobster pots.
This was quite a change from our days on the inland canals, lakes, and rivers. Bob recalled that his "senses went nuts on the East River"; driving the boat, and so much to see.
Bob and Allan were intrigued by the variety of boats and the navigational challenges posed.
Movements of large commercial vessels were no problem; their seasoned captains were well-versed in navigational protocol.
It was the small recreational vessels that were unpredictable.
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| Entering the Annisquam River |
...and a thermostat replacement.
Moxie loved the two months of frolicking in fresh water. When she returned to salty environs, taking a gulp was a surprise. And sandy beaches required extra grooming.
When safely tied up, Jeanne and Bob took Moxie ashore and returned with a feast of steamed clams. We talked about the trip.
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| Sharon, Allan, Bill and Keefer in Burlington, VT |
... The people ...
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| Tom Collins on the Erie |
... The weather ...
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| Lower Lake Champlain |
... Landscapes ...
... The unexpected...
... Food ...
... Museums ...
... Insights ...
... The historic Erie Canal ...
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| Whitehall, NY |
... Towns vacated by industry when canal commerce waned ...
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| Little Falls, NY |
... and the attempts to revitalize.
... Locking ...
... Navigating ...
... Exploring ...
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| Jeanne on the Rideau Canal |
... Exploring ...
... Documenting.
Spending two months together is a good test of a friendship. Happy to report that we passed with flying colors; eating every dinner together; never losing sight of the other boat; and sharing our passions for exploration.
And it's far from over.
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