Today, the 10th, was to be Carrie Rose’s day to be pulled. About 10 days ago (the plausible extent of accurate weather forecast) I noted that the winds were going to slowly increase on Wednesday and Thursday. And on Thursday was going to be in the 80’s. I had a short discussion with the boatyard, and we agreed to take Carrie Rose out on Wednesday the 8th.
We spent the entire day on Tuesday cleaning and packing as best as we could while still on the water. The next day we awoke early and by 7AM, with the diesel not quite warm, we quietly exited Northeast Harbor. Our destination was Atlantic Boat Company in Herrick Bay. It is a 16 nautical mile cruise and at 8 knots takes a couple of hours.
In anticipation of worsening weather, the lobster boats were out in force working their traps. My plan is to always avoid the lobster boats and their buoys. The wind slowly increased as we made our way across Jericho Bay. The northeast wind was on the starboard bow and so, Carrie Rose being a wet boat, the spray covered that side of the boat.
Often in these conditions, Carrie Rose becomes more stable if the throttle is pushed forward. The closer the diesel gets to 2000 RPMs the more she skips on top of the waves, rather than wallowing amongst them. In this way we powered into Herrick Bay and by 9:20 AM were tied up to the floating pier. I walked to the office to announce our arrival and that set the wheels in motion.
Tractors began to move boats this way and that, and suddenly a yard worker jump into the pilothouse, fired her up and drove onto the large – now submerged – hydraulic trailer.
Once secured on the hard, Charlotte and I raced to make sense of the chaos inside the boat. It seems, that no matter the preparation, we are always left with dozens of objects that need to find a home. Whether it be in a box in the back of the Subaru or in some cubbyhole on the boat.
Though the tasks appear insurmountable, I know from experience, that if we keep working it will come together. And it did. By 5 PM we were driving to the tiny town of Brooklin for an espresso to fuel our 90 mile trip to South Bristol, ME. where fellow boaters had graciously offered to put us up for a couple of days in their brand new home in the woods. And considering our baked in ways, I do mean put up!
Chicago, IL
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