Summer 2025: 5/18

I know this is late in the game, but we are gradually realizing that another summer with Carrie Rose is about to commence. And slowly we are realizing, that on this Sunday, where we are both limping around that we need to get in better shape. Charlotte’s dilemma began in the garden, and mine, well, it’s too long to go into. Despite our transient infirmities, after decades of doing this, we are on autopilot: Piles are piling in the basement, food stores have been bought, routes to Maine are a topic of discussion, and a few boat projects are being contemplated.

 

This will be Carrie Rose’s 12th season in Maine. We can head west then south and join the lower 47 again, but it doesn’t seem like the time. We’ve explored Maine’s waters, anchored in remote places, and seen so much grand scenery that I must pinch myself not to fall prey to becoming complacent. The fog helps in this because once it dissipates an entirely new landscape replaces the old familiar one. For once we have become familiar, though not overly so, with the environment and will try to relax into it.

 

Over the winter our insurance provider requested a new survey be done. The cost, some thousand dollars, was born by us. In the dead of winter, a nice man named Douglas climbed all over Carrie Rose and with a few minor exceptions declared her fit. As most people do, he warmed to Carrie Rose and told me that when his sailing days are over this is the boat he wants. It’s affirming to have the “kindness of strangers” even when not soliciting them. 

 

Last year I asked the boat yard to commission the boat. In layman’s language this means to get her ready and put her in the water so we can get on and go without the usual week of preparations. Charlotte is sick of living on the hard in a cold unmoving boat while climbing up and down a steep ladder to use the facilities. She has always been smarter and probably more importantly, more practical than me.

 

So, let’s see if I can crawl back my writing skills and document yet another cruising season!