July 7 | 4.8 Nautical Miles

With summer upon us we felt it was high time to head out for an overnight. Unfortunately weather and schedules had conspired against us until this weekend. Still, we had plans for Saturday afternoon, so we decided to just shakedown by leaving Friday evening for a nearby destination, and returning the next morning.

I headed to the boat around 1300 to load food, clothes, linens, and other cruise-necessary miscellany, and generally get the boat put together for our first overnight. Heather arrived around 1700 with Gavin and Bailey in tow, and within 20 minutes we were underway, bound for nearby Chebeague Island.

While Gav played with his dinosaurs in the main saloon, we had a nice beam reach in light evening air past Basket Island. We were making between 3.5 and 4.0 knots, and with only about 5 miles total distance to cover, we were content to enjoy the nice sailing. When we got in between Chebeague and Little John Islands however, the wind evaporated and we were forced to motor the last 3/4 of a mile or so.

Soon enough we arrived and picked up a Chebeague Island Inn guest mooring. Heather took Bailey and Gavin ashore to have a walk. While they were gone, I prepared dinner—farm-fresh summer squash, rice, and pork tenderloin on the grill. Yum!

After dinner I coaxed Bailey up onto the foredeck where he promptly cowered between my legs. Is that a dog, or a chicken?

Soon enough it was time to get Gavin ready for bed, and then Heather and I sat out in the cockpit reading until it became too dark to do so. Amazingly, there were NO bugs beyond a couple of no-see-ums. It was the most bug-free spot I've ever been on the boat.

Eventually we turned in. Unfortunately, no one seemed to sleep particularly well, since Bailey was up flopping around every 20 minutes or so, and it was very steamy overnight.

Continue with the cruise ->