August 29 — Day 51 — York, Maine to Rockport, Massachussetts — 30 NM

 We left York at 9:30 with the tide still coming in the water was squirrely, though nothing like the St. John River and with the tide slowing our speed we had better control. Then a straight shot to the entrance of Rockport. Yes, we are back in Massachusetts! The course took us southward, straight through the Isles of Shoals, leaving Star Island to port and White Island to Starboard. We passed Gosport Harbor at about 10:30 and there was only one powerboat and one sail on the moorings. It was an unusual time of day for us to be there. We usually arrive late and leave early. I also looked for the guests, thronging on the lawns - with binoculars. Not today! Then a tiny bit of wind came up, very close to our nose, but I put up the main and cheated a bit and got another knot out of it.

Another mini fog bank at our arrival at 2pm. We were offered either side of the floating dock that extends out perpendicularly from, and end only about 30 feet from the Yacht Club’s front porch which overlooks the tight harbor. A mistake but no harm done: forgetting that we had put up our lines and fenders to starboard, Lene took us for a port side tie up. No harm, just another loop around and we were set. We are very close to “Motif 1” reportedly the most frequently painted and photographed structure in America. The barn red structure on the left.

In the old days I would have lowered the dink for the fifty foot trip to the club’s dock but the operator told us it would operate until seven o’clock and it was a no brainer. For six bucks in tips, round trip, I saved my back from the effort of lowering and raising the dink.

We noticed few changes in town since the last time we visited here a few years ago. I could not find the store that sold silk screened posters of seaside towns, and the antiquities gallery whose owner I would have enjoyed conversing with again (and several other galleries) were closed this weekday afternoon late in the season. The Rockport Art Association and Museum which displays Maine centered works by its members for sale — and several other galleries — provided my entertainment. Lene went the other way, on Bearskin Road and bought a hat snd sweets. 

After showering with the luxury of lots of the Club’s hot water we returned to ILENE, and had the Mate’s excellent boat cooked cuisine for dinner. Lene tripped aboard and iced, compressed and elevated her sprained ankle. Maybe it is only a strain. We played cards and though Lene is excellent and I have no card sense, Lady Luck was in my corner and I won. Or maybe she was distracted by her ankle. She is such a huge help to me in our voyaging, though I do most all the work except cooking, her star bit is bringing ILENE to docks and moorings while I grapple for them and tie up the boat. Heavy rain during our sleep.