August 11 Chris, my son, arrived, from his long drive from Long Island,just in time to drive John to the Rockland airport to pick up his daughter, Alison, and her two children. They all arrived safely but tired from their trip. Alison is my son Michael’s age and her two boys are Ethan age 2.5years and Logan age 1 year. Her husband, Tom, had to work and missed the trip this year. She is undergoing chemotherapy for breast cancer and is bald a a result. We got the kids fed and to bed early. The four adults had a delicious lobster dinner in Alison’s honor.

August 12 The kids were up early so, after breakfast, we started up the boat and motored down Muscle Ridge Channel to the three islands that we had checked out the day before. After anchoring in the middle of the three, we had lunch and naps. Then it was time to take the dinghy to Birch Island and walk on the beach. Chris showed us how we could eat rose hip fruits right off the bushes. They tasted like citrusy apples and are packed with vitamin C. Next, we circumnavigated High Island and went off to a large rock to see the seals who were sunning themsleves. There was a good group and Ethan was thrilled to see them all waddle into the water and swim around. Finally, we dropped the gang off on Dix Island and let them walk around the island on a path that had berries and fruit trees on both sides as well as pretty scenery. John and I circled the island by dinghy. Back to the mother ship for dinner and cards for the adults.

August 13 Up the anchor and back to Rockland to drop off Chris who had to leave. We hovered out in the bay, launched the dinghy, dropped him ashore, raised the dinghy, and went out across west Penobscot Bay to the western side of Vinalhaven and an anchorage outside Long Cove. After lunch, Alison, with Ethan on her lap, went kayaking up Long Cove with the rest following. Chris was great at feeding Cheerios to Logan in the backpack on his back. Once she got to the head of the cove, we towed her back up wind to the mothership. Dinner, bed for babies, and cards for us.

August 14 We are getting into more of a routine with naps and food prep in the galley. The kids are both getting colds but are behaving well for the conditions and the boat is well suited for tiny people. John is not. Up the anchor and over to Seal Bay on the other side of Vinalhaven. After naps, we all got into the dinghy and explored around the area and looked at the birds and seals. Dinner and cards for us.

August 15 We got up with the kids and left for Rockland because we wanted to go to the Home and Boat Show there. We all loaded up the dinghy and went to see the show which has something for everyone. The kids liked it too in their wn way and we had lunch right there. Afterwards, we walked in town and went to the ice cream place of course. I had Logan on my back in the back pack for hours but he was a doll the whole time. Dinner, bed for the kids and early bed for all.

August 16 The longest day of the summer! Alsion’s flight wasn’t until 5pm and we all got up at 6 a.m. after going to bed so early. To make things worse, it was raining outside and we all had to stay inside and “play”. By 10a.m. we were all ready for the looney bin. I got out a movie for Ethan thinking it would last for 2 hours and it was over in 30mins so we watched it twice! then we watched Cinderella which entertained him for a while as long as the mice were singing and fighting with the cat and the fairy godmother was turning creatures into carriages, etc. When the ball started, we lost Ethan. John and I watched the rest. It was finally lunchtime and nap time. While they slept, we were waiting for John’s mother, Monaise, and step father, Angus, to arrive mid afternoon with their car to take Alison and the kids to the airport. They came on board and siad hi and goodbye and John went to the airport and the grocery store while the parents settled in on board. We had a nice welcome grownup dinner ashore at the Boathouse. Angus had his two favorites; steamers and oysters and wanted crab cakes too but we talked him out of it! Back to Windermere and to bed early.

August 17 It was foggy but we took off anyway because we have good radar and know the area well. Smith Cove off of Castine was our destination for the day. By the time we got to the top of Islesboro, the fog had lifted and and it was a sunny day. After anchoring and a late lunch, we launched the dinghy and went into Castine for ice cream and to show them the tiny village. That evening, we had a good dinner on the aft deck and watched a movie.

August 18 It was sunny again and we motored down the back side of Islesboro and around the bottom and west back to Rockland. That night, we walked down the main street a bit window shopping to dinner at Lilly Bistro, which we love, and Monaise and Angus did too.