Day 7 - Mount Desert Island - updated at 6pm (ish)

Relaxation must have begun, either that or fatigue set in, since we slept for 9 hours last night. This has to be a record for me. Last night twilight was until about 10pm and then the stars were magnificent. We have decided to stay at this marina for a second night so that we can do some day trips nearby.

This morning we had a problem turning the engine over. This resulted from my resistance to paying for shore power, and during the past two days we have used the engine little if at all. However, simply switching to the other battery solved the problem. Since we have been motoring for 2.5 hours now, I doubt we will have a repeat tomorrow. However, we will probably pay for shore power anyway. As we were motoring this morning we saw a hawk in a nest, and harbor seals (not in the nest).

This marina is awesome – it has a West Marine on site! I took a little tour and managed not to buy anything. But there is always tomorrow.

Started our day with a crushing blow we had planned to eat breakfast at Grump’s which is right next to the marina, but Grump’s was closed! Perhaps Grumpy woke up on the right side of the bed and was too happy to open the restaurant this morning. We bravely carried on with our plan for the day and went up into Somes Sound the only true Fjord in the USA, other than in Alaska. Very pretty, but somewhat disappointing as we had expected majestic cliffs as seen on TV for Norwegian Fjords. Instead mostly rolling hills covered in pine trees. After leaving Somes Sound we have started heading north to Bar Harbor.

Noon – sails just went up and there is a race on. Might report on the results later.

When we return to dock, will post pictures and movies but here are some of the fjord for now. Later will will also upload pictures from yesterday's trip too.

After sails went up we had a blast - but we lost the race :(( here is the offending boat

Then we sailed on to Bar Harbor. As we approached there is an awesome island called Bald Porcupine. Out of its northern portion there is a breakwater. Interestingly it is submerged at high tide. Hmmm. Bald Porcupine was a really beautiful looking island, probably my favorite yet, rugged and full of pine trees. I assume from the name
that some may have been missing at the top.

and here is a view into Bar Harbor

Now back to Southwest Harbor. Here is a view from the land looking down onto the marina. Note that the grey building to the right is West Marine, and adjacent to it, but hidden, is Grumpy's (better be open tomorrow).

There are some great boats in the marina - oops, a lobster boat (thank goodness we are upwind)

and here is a beauty

but here is the best

As we left the marina this morning we saw the Hinkley boat manufacturing buildings