The glorious weather prior to the cruise, the best week of the summer, brought out many cruisers early to take advantage of sunshine and winds.

Friday, August 27

"Persephone" and "Webfoot" departed on Friday afternoon, sailing with a broad reach to Pulpit Harbor, where we met Bill and Jean Keegan on "Callisto". They had been out the full week, and proclaimed Penobscot Bay as the best sailing ever, having returned late July from their year trip to Florida and back. Happy hour on "Persephone" was a long catch up of news and trips.

Saturday, August 28

The other cruisers had arranged to meet us in Smith Cove in the afternoon, coming from various directions. "Persephone", Webfoot" and "Callisto" had a lovely gentle sail, wing and wing to Castine, arriving just before noon. Two of us grabbed moorings and went ashore for a lovely lunch on the deck at Dennett's Wharf. Thankfully, we were shaded by an umbrella, as the weather was hot and humid. "Callisto" went on to anchor in Smith cove, at the anchorage East of Sheep Island. The rest of us gradually joined them. We learned that although there are moorings there, they are "private". Do take heed! Some anchored, and some took their chances. It is a secure and lovely anchorage with views of a reversing falls, and room between the moorings to anchor.The weather was hot and humid. Some of us cooled off by wading on the stern ladders, but Gerritt braved the cold waters and went in for a refreshing dip.

By cocktail hour there were seven boats. Jean and Bill Keegan on "Callisto", Helen and Jon Kuhl on "Cherub", Charlene and Bill Vanderslice on "Magic Happens", Toni and Gerritt on "Persephone", Kris and Mik Mikkelsen on "Sea Legs", Mj and Dave Shiverick, on "Webfoot", and Lorette and George Kibitz, on "Escapade", where we all gathered for a lively and chatty happy hour!

Sunday, August 29

NOAH was warning of clouds, showers, and thunder showers for the next two days. some planned to head home due to commitments. Others assessed the situation and decided that sailing on the nose in 20 know winds would not be great fun, so the rest of us headed home. At that point, there was very little wind, but we did manage to have a good reach for about a half hour, and the weather held with sun and clouds. It seems, "Gaston" and "Hermine", the two storms coming up the coast, were predicted to collide off the coast of Maine and give us "strong winds, threatening thunderstorms, and possible hail". This seemed like a good reason to abort the last two days. Final verdict? Fog! But very little wind, and very little rain. Oh well, we got to see the Olympics Closing Ceremony!

Although the trip was shortened, we all had a really good time, and look forward to the next trip! For those of you who are able to come, mark your calendars for our next cruise, the Wednesday through Saturday after Labor Day, starting at 9:00 AM. Destinations to be announced so check your e-mails.

Maryjane Shiverick, Cruise Chairman

Five boats gathered off Spruce Head Island about 11:00 AM on Saturday morning under sunny skies and light winds. Marelle was to meet us off Tenants Harbor, but engine problems prevented Mike's joining us. Winds were light and all were motoring. Soon, Trillium put out her jib, and off she flew. Once around Mosquito Island, the rest of us were able to sail, but required engine boosts, at times.

Webfoot arrived at Harbor Island and watched Pamela P, Candide, and Persephone lingering off the Harbor, we knew not why! A phone call reveiled Persephone had no engine, and beating into the anchorage would have been hairy, as the lobster buoys were walkable. As RYC cruisers are--Candide came to the rescue with a tow and smoothly glided past Webfoot, under superb helmsmanship by Moira, to enable Persephone to raft up with Webfoot. A fluke in starting the engine was discovered, and a test reveiled all was well.

The crews: Moira and Dick Bentzel, Maryjane and Dave Shiverick, Geoff Pitchford and John McCann, Marni and Brad Lawson, and Gerritt Vander Veer (Toni stayed aboard), headed for shore and walked about the Island. Those who went inland found fabulous fairy/nome houses throughout the paths. What a great place to walk about!

Then we scurried back to the boats for cocktail hour aboard Candide! All were eager to view the new boat, and were duly impressed. That is a lot of boat in 36 feet! Moira and Dick will be comfy on their cruise to the islands in the fall of '05.

Morning brought a threatening forcast, so the crew decided to abort the previous plan and head back. We considered going to Long Cove near Tenants, and Trullium, indeed, did go there. Others returned, for various reasons, and ended a very delightful two days. The winds were so light returning, that Candide and Pamela P motored back and had lunch on the Vander Veer's deck. Webfoot tacked way out past Metinic to get winds, and sailed as far as the target on Spruce Head, arriving at Merchants Landing about 4:00PM.

Though abreviated, all had a really good time, and look forward to August's cruise with more boats joining the cruise.

Pictures will be displayed at the next RYC gathering.

Maryjane Shiverick, cruise chairman