Good days

Hey Peter and Ginny, thanks for another great visit. This morning we start the Long Island highway south.

Wandering

We saw the fall decorating the kettle ponds red
and light pouring through the rock jumble walls.

New habits

We found ourselves taking up some of the Block Island behaviors.

Cosmic success

This young man and his mom joined a long line of fisher men along the beach. He picked a spot and before the waiting empty handed men soon had the line whining through his reel. He pulled in a nice big porgee repeating "I must be lucky". His triumph was contagious.

What we found

On Block Island we found our friends Peter and Ginny and stayed with them in luxury. Showers! We went to beautiful places, ate great food, and enjoyed the time together.

Leaving Maine

With fall approaching we left Ed and Lisbeth hard at work and set off for a 3 day sail to Rhode Island, crossing the Cape Cod canal at 3am. Along the the way we picked up a small hitch hiker. Like Noah's raven, he flew on and off the boat three times, but this seemed to be more due confusion than an interest in weather assessment. He flitted from place to place, getting pooped on the stern, sliding across the glass hatches, hanging on the the mainsheet tackle, and briefly sitting on Vinnie's head. Finally he went into the cabin, found a secure perch, and put his head under his wing. Sad to say, he died there and we had a burial at sea, using the short order of service. He was a lovely bird.

Big news

But the day was not over yet. A friend of Ed's had a yard sale give away and we got a Force 10 4 burner stove with AN OVEN and Broiler. Such excitement. We now need to find cookie sheets, a Dutch oven, and other storage challenges.

End of day

There was so much to see and do that the sun was getting low as we left the school.

Class in boats

We wander around the Wooden Boat School where Ed has taught. looking in at the boats being built and meeting some of his friends.

Wooden Boat

Soon after Maria returned from the rolling waves of grain in Minnesota, we went with Ed to the Wooden Boat campus. Ed designed Dancing Seahorse to provide trawler cruising speed and living space with maximal fuel efficiency. He modified established plans for an efficient monohull to create his catamaran and added unique features of his own. He and Vinnie filmed sea trials of the boat speed and behavior at various RPMs. While testing the boat they made almost 11 knots. Ed showed his films and photographs to the enthusiastic editors of Wooden Boat and Professional Boat Builder.

The boat progresses

While Maria was absent from boat duty, Vinnie finished wiring the boat and Ed continued to build the internal structure. The sofa bed was completed and a the kitchen began to take form.

In another world

Ed and Lisbeth and Vinnie continued to work on the boat and in the pottery. The day after launch, however, Maria flew to Minneapolis for her Uncle Don's funeral.

And we're off

When the boat was ready on the ways we climbed aboard and prepared for sea. The yard crew set us sliding down the rails and suddenly we were afloat with engines engaged. As we set off from the cove Ed's nephew Matt came along side on his lobster boat, recording our progress. Ed's brother Wayne and his stern man welcomed us to Goose Cove.

Beautiful day

It was a long awaited and beautiful day. Celebrating Lisbeth's birthday together at Manjack become more of a possibility and less of a wispy dream.

Standing by

After all the long days and hard work preparing for launch, we found ourselves with hands in pockets as the yard managed everything smoothly.

The ways

Slowly, the boat moved across the yard towards the railroad or ways. When we arrived at the yard in the morning it was low tide and the rails went down from the yard into a flatland of mud that extended far out into the cove. By the time we maneuvered the boat onto the carriage which would carry the boat down the ways, the tide had come in and the water was up to the tracks.

What hoist?

We were up early in the morning for the day of the launch. The yard crew came with pine poles and a tractor. The boat on its cradle was rolled across the yard as the poles were placed under the runners. The pyramid builders could not have done a smoother job. Picking up the poles left behind also kept us out of trouble or anxiety.

Another milestone

As we approached launch it was time to name the boat and Dancing Seahorse was born. We learned that it is unlucky to name the boat too soon. Other things which could cause trouble include having anything on the boat colored blue, launching on a Friday, or bringing bananas on the boat.

Boat building

We entered a new phase of the cruising life, a work study program in boat building. In less than a week the boat was ready to launch.

Introducing ...

Last year Ed and Lisbeth's boat was still in pieces, the cabin here, the pilot house there, and the hulls firmly aground in the boat yard. We returned to find the structure united and yearning for the sea.

Family business

We returned to Goose Cove on Mount Desert Island and found ourselves back in the land of Ed and Lisbeth and the Seal Cove Pottery. We anchored near the Davis wharf, the only family owned wharf left on the island. Ed Davis is an artist and boat builder. His brothers continue the family tradition of fishing.

Isle au Haut

Great hiking, fatigue, beautiful rocky beaches and lovely days gave us a great time on the island.