We woke to a beautiful sunny morning in Pulpit Harbor. After a quick provisioning trip ashore, we left for Merchant Row. For once, conditions were perfect for sailing, so long as we weren’t in a hurry! We had a pleasant trip over and anchored at Hell’s Half Acre.

In the morning the tide was low enough to explore on land. We poked around Shivers Islands and chatted with two people who had camped in the tiny site the night before. Sue and I talked each other into swimming; it was definitely “refreshing” but we felt good for it!

Heading back over to Vinalhaven we went into Hurricane Sound and picked up a mooring in Long Cove. It was quiet and well protected; comforting to know with stormy weather in the forecast. I took the dinghy rowing on a somewhat ill-advised adventure as far as The Basin in Hurricane Sound. This is a huge body of water with a tiny entrance that the tide rushes through. I thought my timing was perfect to catch slack water but alas, the ebb had started and spat me back out almost as soon as I came in!

The morning seemed calm, until we came out of our lovely bay and saw white caps everywhere. Sue and Denny needed to leave, so we bashed our way over to Camden. The moorings at Sherman Cove looked extremely uncomfortable but we were able to tie up at the fuel dock for a few minutes and say goodbye. It was fun to share the experience of sailing in Maine with friends from warmer places, and we hope to be able to do it again!