And we’re plugging into it.
I (Dena) applied for, interiewed for, and got a job canvasing for Mainers for Marriage Equality. Being as though you’re on this blog, I’d like to assume you know that means yay gay marriage, not sneaky code for marriage for only the “right sort” of people. Yesterday was the interview and job offer, and today…
We went sailing!
Caught up on chores and with a job starting soon, we were able to turn our attention back to the most important thing. We hadn’t had an opportunity to test the rig since we had the mast put back on, but today, the conditions were perfect. Strong but not overly strong wind, warm but not blazing, and busy but not too many boats on the water.
First off, we had to check out a new anchorage spot. The general anchorage right off Portland’s Old Port is incredibly busy in the summer. The ferries kick up a lot of wake, but even more bouncing results from the dozens of pleasure boaters who don’t feel the need to keep their speeds down through the anchorage. We got people motoring 10 feet off our stern kicking up a wake that would knock us over in the cabin.
We weighed anchor and toddled further up river. Nosing slowly into every spot that seemed like a possible spot to anchor, we made our way under the Casco Bay Bridge and into a strangely lovely industrial area. Before long, we’d identified our new home and marked it on the chart. It was time for fun!
We hoisted sail at the mouth of the Fore River where it meets Casco Bay.
Even though the day was perfect, we started off with two reefs in the sail, making sure not to overstress the rig in any way. Then we shook out those reefs in the lee of Little Diamond Island and she took off like a rocket.
All’s well in our little world.
The rig performed beautifully and everything felt and sounded solid.
Not only does she sail perfectly, the radar kicks ass and the VHF brings in the signal like a dream.
Job complete.
On the way back, we checked out one last anchorage on the leeward side of the peninsula that forms Portland proper. It’s also downwind of the shit processing plant and the smell drove us away as soon as we got the anchor set. Down anchor, up anchor. No sweat.
Back in the Fore River, we crossed under the Casco Bay Bridge again and set the anchor in one shot, really solidly.
Settled in, I called the owner of a water taxi here in town. Not only did he sound enthusiastic about hiring me for the taxi, he also brought up two other possible jobs as well. At this rate, we could have 3 jobs each by Friday!
We walked across the bridge pictured above into Portland, holding the image of our beautiful boat for as long as we could see it.
In celebration, we had malai kofta and a lovely conversation with the waiter about India.
On the way back, we heard a marimba band. This town is cool.
To whoever is interested: portland is a cool town. I liked it there. Ther is the Portland Light to see by land, interesting. Do not forget the fishery port,one gets cheap Lobsters there.I have done that many times.
Happy sailng and good luck on your Jobs.
Heinz at WM
Thanks Heinz,
We are loving it here of course, like you/we said, it “is a cool town”. Dena and I had some local beers with Captain Dave Fahremier (Geary for me, well, rum [not local]for Dena of course)yesterday and he tells me he’s going to come to work for WM when he gets back from his summer “Maine Event”. He’s a good man, a captain of the Ocean Sea and a wealth of information for all you Chesapeake boaters.
JL
How the curve of that sail makes my heart sing, my friends. Your relaxed, cheerful tone is lovely too. Sailors and hydrohome all spanky and fit — wonderful news. Getting paid means you’ll be settled there for a stretch, yeah? Will Portland be your new liminal homeland?
All right jobs! Sailing jobs, even! My guess is whatever keeps you out of retail or food service is good news. Canvassing sure can shred your feet and soul/cial self, but you know exactly what that job requires and are about as well suited to it as anyone can be.
Carry on, then. America thanks you for putting your queer shoulder to the wheel.
So I’ve caught up n your adventures and projects. Are you still going to make the passage to Scotland this year, or have the unexpected delays caused a hard reboot?! Jobs seem to suggest as much…..I was disappointed to learn that Rafael quit WM and went to New York. Without both of you, it’s just not that much fun anymore!!
Did a half a week on the Severn. Wow, some people have really big houses AND really big boats! Love St. Helena island and Smiths marina (only a dollar a foot and no charge for anything else!). Lots of big ouch looking jellyfish about, so swimming is at risk except way up the creeks.
Take care and keep writing!
J.Wright
Jwwitch@comcast.net
Thanks J.W.!
I’m sorry to hear that it’s no fun going to West Marine anymore… I’m thinking about picking up some extra shifts here at the Portland Maine West Marine location for a while, so c’mon up here for some real customer service.
Yes the Atlantic crossing has been put on hold because of two reasons mainly.
1) this last haul-out/outrageous repair wrecked our weather window and our finances. We’re seriously considering going back to India to open a little organic juice and coffee bar on the Arabian Sea in a little town in the south called Kovalom. We’ve presented a pretty ambitious proposal for the idea to a good friend of ours who lives there and now we’re just waiting to see if he can put the funds together.
Regardless of our future Indian adventures our Greenland crossing has been delayed at least until late spring/early summer of 2013.
And the 2nd reason we’re not crossing this year is, we’re entertaining the idea of staying here for the winter, in Portland, Maine simply because it’s a very cool place! The people are nice, the water is clean and full of wildlife, and the quiet anchorages are, although few and far between, accessible.
I’m glad you got some adventure time on your boat this summer and we’ll keep up the blog as much as life allows!
Take care,
James
So glad you found a notch that suits you, however long you hover there.
James,
This is my first time commenting, but have been following your (and Dena’s) blog for months. My son and I crossed paths
With you several times at WM in Baltimore. So sorry to see you go because you were always so helpful and fun to talk to. Our loss is Portland’s gain.
Just wanted to say how encouraging your blog is. Whenever you are faced with a challenge you meet it head on, make a plan, plan the work, and get-R-done. Good lesson for us all. Yea, the unexpected (and sometimes agrivating) things slow us down, but we still win if we keep at it. So, thats what I’m learning from your blog. Thanks.
Anyhow, I have enjoyed it, and look forward to keeping up with you two and your adventures.
Blessings,
Alan Gilmore
Thank you Mr. Gilmore,
We have had one-heck of an incredible adventure this summer, but as you know, with all adventures of the heart it takes a work ethic that just can’t stop! It inspires me to know that we have readers on this site that quietly sit there reading our stuff (tisking their tongues) and enjoying our life’s adventures every step of the way.
Please continue to read on and don’t hesitate to let us know when we’re messing up.
Again, Thank you!
James
James!!! Tell me a story!!! Come on come on!!!
Just a little one. Some pictures, maybe? You don’t even have to write.
(so sorry for this breech in protocol. You have settling and exploring and jobsjobsjobs and life and and and and I’m a greedy girl and I want a snack.)
So glad to hear that you have found a wonderful new port and thanks so much for stepping up to help fight for marriage equality.