Last Friday was the Windjammer Parade, and it was amazing! We sailed out to watch the 13+ majestic tall ships sail by, plus a whole fleet of Friendship Sloops up for their annual regatta. We were in a pleasant sort of swarm of classic sailing vessels, from sloops to schooners to windjammers. There is nothing quite like sailing in such close quarters with tall ships—astounding to be in the midst of so many skilled captains, so smoothly sailing past each other, almost close enough to reach out and touch. Not only were we up close and personal with the other ships, but we were also sailing very close to the Rockland Breakwater, which was a thrill for those on board as well as those on the breakwater itself.

This is always one of my favorite sails of the season and we had a great time out there, sailing with wonderful people. I should also say a big “Thank you” to my wife for making such awesome lunches. We were all fat and happy out there as we took in the extraordinary sights.

I’d like to bid farewell to Walter Cronkite, who was a sailor who will be missed. Walter sailed the Olad when it was down in the Bahamas. It was an annual event to take a couple of weeks and sail with his family on the Schooner Olad. Some, who worked for him, felt that the experience had motivated him to buy his first boat. I will never know for real. I did spend some time with his fleet captain last year. Walter told him some great stories to tell me, I will always treasure that… Good-bye OLD SALT

We just got in from a great trip! The weather is spectacular—blue skies, sun warming the skin, and a perfect breeze to make it all work. We went out to Saddle Island where we saw a bald eagle, which is a sight that never fails to inspire. And in the same trip we also saw great big colony of seals and seal pups sunning on the rocks. It was remarkable visibility; so good you could see Cadillac Mountain. All in all, an exhilarating trip.

It is really starting to feel like summer! It is nice to see Camden’s quiet harbor filling up with the summer fleet of sailboats, yachts and all the rest. You can tell it’s summer because of all the yachts coming into port—some from as far away as the Mediterranean.

Also, the lobstermen are catching the first “Shedders” of the season. I can’t wait to eat one of those… I love them the best, I will always take a soft shell over a hard one. It is definitely summer.

Captain Aaron

I just talked to the weatherman himself, and it seems we’ve paid our dues. I don’t know what we did to deserve all this bad weather, but the weather gods have been appeased. With the coming weekend, it looks like we have finally found our way out of this bad weather pattern.

Amazingly, we have still been going out. I know what you’re thinking—and no, I didn’t have to drag unwilling passengers out into stormy seas! I have been clever enough to slip the odd trip in between the rain clouds and the fog banks. We’ve had some wicked good sailing out there and the wildlife watching has been phenomenal. I don’t think I have seen as many seals with their seal pups as I have this June. We also have seen a whole slew of porpoises, often right beside the boat—we could actually hear their respiration through the blow holes. Can’t beat that!

So bring on the good weather. I’m glad we’re getting this out of the way now and not in the middle of the summer (knock on wood). Hope to see you all soon!

Captain Aaron