Barred Island, ME 44°09.3N, 68°53.2W

In the center of the little archipelago formed by Butter, Escargot, Bartender and Big & Little Barred Islands, is the most sublime anchorage. It’s surrounded by huge trees coming down to the rocky water’s edge, beaches, sea birds and islands stretching off into the horizon, and a protected pond of smooth water in the center. A magnificent spot. With the current full moon and the associated low tides, the bay is protected from almost every angle and it’s really a most strikingly beautiful place.

Max and I arrived here yesterday having left Camden in heavy fog. About an hour out the sun burst through and we had a slow and easy sail up through the islands, fishing line in tow. We were the only boat here, and anchored in the center of the pond. I took some photos and Max quickly donned his wetsuit and hood, and then leapt over to explore the coastline. We ended up with a crab and sea cucumber, and as he splashed around, I waded on Escargot Island and – perhaps confusingly with that name - twisted off a dozen fresh mussels (Max says there’s plenty of snails on the seafloor!). In keeping with our high-risk photography (frequent readers may remember Greg letting his hand be bitten by a swan), look at this hilarious photo of Max being pinched by a crab. HA! Max is a marine biologist by training, and was mid way through a discussion of the cove’s marine habitat, an ongoing adventure for us both.

Later a fast looking J-44 sailed in called Halcyon II. Before the anchor had snagged kids were leaping of the bows. The boat is owned by Keith & Kathy Longson, and there were three generations on board, all having a good time. They invited us for a glass of wine which was fun and cool; it’s always nice to meet enthusiastic sailing people, and to check out a nice piece of hardware. Afterward Max and I shot across the bay – racing along in the dinghy in the dark and fog – to a little beach. Here the waves gently lapped the shore and the whole scene was enveloped in a misty glow from the full moon, shrinking our world to this small patch of sand and water. A special and quiet place. (but nonetheless enhanced by Max’s kung-fu demonstration!).

We also shared the bay with an intriguing but gorgeous spritsail ketch pulling boat; it glided in amid the soft afternoon light, catching the last puffs of the falling breeze. It’s from the Hurricane Island Outward Bound School, and we understand these little boats are seen all over the Maine coast, indeed up almost to the Canadian Border. It’s about 24’ long with its own dory, no engine, but a very seaworthy and graceful looking design. My Dad would love these. The amazing thing is how many people are on board. Ultimately, they – all teenagers by the looks - huddled together in the open boat, cooked dinner on a primus, and then all curled up – somewhere – and slept on the boat! Where did they all fit? We referred to them as the Swiss Family Robinson. This morning is beautiful but foggy: I was happy to see that they had rigged a canvas a cover over the boat by the morning. We said gidday as we left the cove, and these kids were polite, full of smiles, and looked like they couldn’t be happier.