The Final Post

I didn't post yesterday, but we left Southwest Harbor and took the long way to Northeast Harbor, through Sommes Sound. These are pictures I took from there. The scenery was out of this world.

A small waterfall:

A slightly bigger waterfall:

Once we got into Northeast, I found a band that was playing at the top of the dock. Their name is Nite Boat and they play campy, blues-y, folkish stuff. I was really glad I got the boat captain aka Santa! in the background.

The sax player was awesome. I took this while he was rocking When the Saints Go Marching In.

This morning when I had to leave for my flight, I took the island Explorer shuttle that travels all around Mt Desert Island. The service is free, provided by LL Bean (Leon Leonwood Bean... There's some trivia for you), and is remarkably punctual.

Because of reasons I don't understand this board being digital precludes you from seeing it. Just know it's cool technology.

Pics I took from the runway at Bar Harbor:

Now I'm in the DC, waiting for my plane... Already missing Maine. Hope you enjoyed the last few weeks of pictures. I sure enjoyed taking them.

Later dudes!

"How many lobsters fit in a trap?"

Barry and I took a shuttle around the island, and someone actually asked our bus driver that question. Bless her heart.

But first... I went to breakfast this morning at a place called Sips, "the home of the Flamingo Queen." Whatever that means.

The omelette was great, so that's something.

This next one is us... We look good here.

I took this next picture of the marina at Southwest Harbor from the top of the hill, on my way to breakfast.

This afternoon, Barry and I took a shuttle, like I said, around the island, eventually to Bar Harbor.

This is the Village Green:

And more of the town:

This next one made me laugh so hard, I just had to take a picture.

Barry and I managed to slake our thirst at a place called Cherrystones. Runabout Red was good stuff:

When we got back, I took some pictures of the boats around us to show you.

Look! Winter Park! Hiya neighbors!

This one's name is Grace. She's not as pretty as the real Grace, though.

This is the slip across the dock from us. Haven't seen the boat, but I love the name.

Hope you enjoyed this one. Only a couple left. 

Love.

Day 20 of 23

Ok, friends. Quite a bit happened the last couple days. And I was without interwebs. I'm not likely going to remember all of it in this post, but let's see if some pictures can jog the memory.

This is Barry. He's eating the most scrumptious strawberry shortcake ever in the whole wide world. Bill was sweet enough to take us grocery shopping and to Beth's Farm for fresh stuff. He's quite possibly the best host ever.

Yesterday, Bill picked us up in his dinghy and we got a harbor tour before lunch at a place called The Waterfront. These are pictures I took...

Took this one to show you more evidence of the ridiculous tides in these parts.

Here's our tour guide, Bill.

Great boat name:

Here's Kathleen. It was hard to pick a favorite in the harbor, but she was definitely on the list.

Bilikan, Bill and Annie's boat:

So pretty.

After our harbor tour, and lunch, Bill took Barry and me up to Mount Battie. The view was epic.

Wait, lemme take a selfie.

Bill and Barry:

After Mount Battie, Bill and Annie had us over for steak and lobster. Check out the size of that lobster on the end- that one's mine!

See? My name is even on the placemat.

We left Camden this morning around 7. We're in Southwest Harbor now. Before we docked for real, we took on fuel. The boat is riding noticeably heavier now. 

We're still in Maine, so the scenery is still unbelievable. I have wifi here, so I'll post after I take some more pictures.

Peace out, homies.

Wednesday, July 16th. Camden, Maine.

Yesterday was a fun day. I got coffee- hot for a change, as it was about 68 degrees outside and rainy- then wandered up the street to French and Brawn, a market where there is a great butcher. I ordered steak and fish and burgers, etc. to be picked up later this afternoon.

It was rainy for much of the day, I got a few chores done on the boat, then walked up to town again for happy hour at Cuzzy's, thinking there could be another cribbage opportunity. I was wrong, but I did beat the bartender, Jimmy, at darts. 

After I got there, a bar regular, Timmy, found a seat just down the bar from me. He's about 70, a rough looking army vet in a Vietnam ball cap. He and Jimmy had a couple-minute lively conversation before Jimmy turned to me and said, "Ashley, I'm so sorry, this is Timmy!" Wondering what about my face had told Jimmy I needed to be included, I leaned across the three seats, offered my hand and said, "Nice to meet you, Timmy! I'm Ashley." Thus began many more lively conversations. 

Timmy worked as a boat deliverer for 13 years- Hinckley's mostly. 

He asked me where I was headed after Camden. When I told him southeast Harbor, then Northwest Harbor, he answered, "No you're not."

Cue my puzzled expression.

"You can't afford to breathe the air at Northwest."

"Aw man, then the beer's gonna be pretty steep too then, huh?"

Something else I learned from Timmy- human flesh tastes like salt pork. I thanked him for the trivia, and attempted a change of subject.

Kaley never showed up. She was probably afraid she'd lose at cribbage. Who can blame her?

Later, we had supper on the boat and watched "Sweet Home Alabama"- Barry's favorite.

This morning, I went to The Bagel Cafe and had yum-oh breakfast casserole and iced coffee. Barry met his friend Bill at Camden Deli. Then we met up and Bill drove us all over Maine. We went to Beth's Farm for some fruits and veggies. Barry had some strawberry shortcake that was out of this world. He let me try a bite and I almost went into sugar shock.

From there, Bill took us to Hannaford's, the grocery store. He was a great host. This is beautiful country up here and he's rightfully proud to show it off. On our way back to the boat, he pulled up at a "beach" across the harbor from where he lives. It was a beautiful view. Apparently, all the boats moored in the harbor maintain their own moorings. The city sells permits for the right to "install" your mooring, then you keep up with the maintenance yourself. Barry and I found this strange. 

Now, here we are. It's raining on and off, very gloomy looking out. 

Later, we have a meat order to pick up. And perhaps I'll play some cribbage.

Camden: Take 2

Yesterday was a great day. I found coffee at The Owl and Turtle, then wandered through some stores downtown- 4 bookstores! Then I met a Great Dane named Luna walking her retired human. They were both very nice. The human, a very nice guy, and I, talked all the way into town.

Later, I found the post office. Helpful. 

Then I found a happy hour at a bar called Cuzzy's. The bartender, Jimmy, told me about his weekend. Turns out it was full of camping misadventures, and drunk-sliding down mountains. There were still-bloody shin wounds to prove it.

Then a girl named Kaylee sat at the bar a couple seats down from me. She was very cute, looked under 21, but I guess she's a regular there. Jimmy gave her a vodka and red bull. She's apparently hard core. 

She and I started talking and I found a board with holes in it in a bucket on the bar next to me. I had seen people playing with whatever it was while I was in Newburyport last week. I asked Kaylee and Jimmy what it was. Kaylee knew it was a cribbage board. 

"I don't know cribbage." I told them.

Kaylee learned a couple days ago.

I asked her to teach me.

Now I know how to play cribbage.

I lost by a long shot, but she's a pro so I don't feel so bad.

I've been up for 2 hours and it's rained for all but 20 minutes of it, so I don't know what today looks like. I have some more pictures from yesterday, but I think my phone is on strike. Hopefully I'll get them loaded later today.

This will have to do for now.

Hope you're well!

Love.

Camden for the win!

Good morning, all!

Yesterday morning, around 9:30 we left Rockland. After a 40ish minute boat ride, we made it to Camden. We got a pump out and docked... Pics of where we are in the harbor later in this post.

Curtis Island and light:

Check out the ducks we watched while eating lunch. A sweet of them to let that oddball white one hang out.

This is our view out the port pilot house door.

After I washed a boat, I took these next pictures from my walk. The tide was super low. (Remember? 12 feet here. Crazy.)

I walked out where the water should be. 

Here's a water fall I found. It runs under the little town. 

I didn't walk out onto it, but the 7 year old in me really wanted to.

This is painted at every crosswalk. These Maine people are weird.

Camden library:

Camden public amphitheater:

He didn't know I was taking his picture. No worries.

Now I'm at The Owl and Turtle Bookshop and Cafe. What? So cool. I haven't looked at books yet. I wanted to tell you stuff first.

Hope you enjoyed the pictures, wish you were here!