Maine Coast Vacation 2009

It was touch-and-go for a while there (economically and schedule-wise), but I was able to get up to Little Deer Isle, Deer Isle and Mount Desert Island for a week-long vacation with my sailboat, Hummer. Two of my goals in life were realized over the past couple of years: 1) build a sailboat, and then 2) learn how to sail it. Both were fully accomplished back in 2006-07 and since then I've been chompin' at the bit to get back up "Downeast" to continue with my sailing education. Able to do so in grand fashion with some wonderful new friends and amazing weather (for Maine!).

Struck up friendships with the new Southwest Harbor Harbormaster, Dennis Dever, a couple of Southwest Harbor lobstermen (Shawn Clements [we had a few extended convos] and Gene Thurston), a couple of artisan boat builders (master craftsmen Richard Stanley and Tim Goodwin). Also got to take an extended look around inside the iconic Ralph W. Stanley's Wooden Boats Shop in Southwest Harbor. Also met Rob and Linda (a couple who sailed their sloop up from Virginia), who graciously responded to my request for help in learning how to sail. Thanks, R. 'n L. — I am indebted to you both!

Shout-outs also to my neighbor, Bryan Smedley (for helping me get Hummer car-topped for the trip to Maine) Linda (the Little Deer Isle postmaster who caught me up on the helicopter crash in Swain's Cove a few weeks before), the woman working at the Little Deer Isle Information booth (sorry I didn't get your name), college professor and Scenic Flights of Acadia pilot, R.W. Estela (indeed, flying is a lot like sailing -- thanks for expanding my horizons about flying, Cessna engines, the Deer Isle archipelago, Maine lighthouses, etc.), Sue McIsaac at Quietside Campground, Shane (Mount Desert Island High School senior — for helping me get Hummer off the car and into the water, then helping rig her the next day), Jake (for your help in getting Hummer out of the water and onto the car in Manset, 2 anonymous Stonington lobstermen (for your help in getting Hummer out of the water and onto the car), Bob (for helping me rig Hummer and your showing me the ropes -- hope things worked out OK for your boat), David Gardner (the moose antler seller who taught me a lot about moose antler-tology), Frances and the fantastic crew at Quietside Cafe in SWH (always a pleasure and delight!), Anne Tergesen (the Wall Street Journal reporter who patiently answered not a few questions [what a neat job where they'll let you get away from NYC to Southwest Harbor, Maine to write an article]) and Philly neighbors, Jose and Antonio for helping me get Hummer off the car and into my backyard.

Photos are posted at www.yubm.org/2K9_Maine_Photos.htm and http://www.yubm.org/Hummer%202009.htm.

Videos are also posted at www.youtube.com/mainemanayuh.

Had a fantastic, rejuvenating and joyous time in the Lord and am struck with the similarities and parallels between the environs, economics and rural village social dynamics of the Maine coast and those surrounding the Sea of Galilee (a marine environment surrounded by hill country, a Woodworker, fishermen, boats, etc.).

A harbormaster needs an incredible array of skill sets: nautical, managerial, practical (e.g., carpentry, electrical, bookkeeping, accounting), etc. Dennis Dever has been goin' at it in Southwest Harbor for about a year now (taking the job on after Gene Thurston went back to lobstering). Had a few conversations with him throughout the week (the first as I was getting a 2009 dock permit) and Dennis is enjoying it. Working out of an office (housed in a trailer) at the Manset Town Dock he deals with lobstermen, fishermen, truckers and (during the summer in particular) tourists. He oversees a fairly large harbor area with all of its attendant (and numerous!) challenges: moorings, emergencies, maintenance, etc.