Summer 2017

We spent a month in St. Augustine after returning from the Bahamas, then headed EXILE to North Carolina where she'd spend the summer tucked securely in a marina in Oriental. Thank goodness! We understand that she wasn't bothered by Irma or Jose although we haven't seen that personally. Looks like she should be ok when Maria passes by. We intend on getting back to Oriental by mid October. Some sights along the way north included the usual birds, buildings, boats, etc.

All modes of transportation! A ship to carry boats and a helicopter in a small backyard along the ICW

The entrance to River Dunes in Oriental, NC

River Dunes Marina

After buttoning up EXILE, we flew to CT to visit family. Brian drove from Long Island to visit as well. From there we drove to Maine with Mom's 15 year old cat Marvin, in tow.  We began our ritual of getting the cottage opened up, water turned on and dock out. After having done all that Jeff and I drove back to CT to pick up our new-to-us 26' Weber's Cove that we purchased while there. Thanks to Sharon and Cris, who checked in on Marvin every day! We motored back to Stonington and Jeff promptly began stripping and varnishing the teak, 7 coats in all. We named her "Little Bit". As much time as Jeff spent on the mooring this summer, a friend suggested she was his mistress..... and that we should add a "ch" to her name. Haha.

The float, ramp and dock with our cottage in the background

Burnt Cove. Our home for the summer

Although blind, Marvin enjoys feeling the sun. Wish he could see all the bird activity outside!

Lobstah!

Our new toy. She replaced the very old (1976) Seacraft we used for visiting other islands in Penobscot Bay

Horses on the bulkhead

Great place for a hammock!

The Bridge to Deer Isle

Enjoying every "Little Bit"

Fog bank

Picnic island

Although not in sequence, this was a very shallow part of our trip north

Little Bit

Seals and lobster buoys

Pipedream, our friends Blaine and Sharon's boat

I love the rug I found for Little Bit online!

Kevin and sternmen lobstering on his boat Gypsy Queen

Camden Harbor

Day trip to Belfast Harbor

Although this years blooms were sparse, they were still pretty

String beans from our vegetable garden

Such a happy girl!

Jack with Emme and Milla

Emme loves her grandmother!

A chance to feel a fish. Giggles all around

Matthew shows off his last Sands from the Bahamas. Matthew,
Julie and their friends Skip and Fran joined us for one of our Sunday picnics

This heron sits on our crates filled with lobsters and crabs every day and grabs a fish swimming by for lunch

That's a big one for this area!

Kevin and Kendra

Burnt Cove

Our friend Arnie came for a visit

The Khristy Michelle must be using great bait! Seagulls galore.

Blaine's working lobster boat

Cris and Dean's house in the background and their two rental cottages on the shore

Foggy!

Done for the season

Frame on, ready for the tarp

There's a definite chill in the air and the heat is on. We know it's time to head back to Oriental, NC 

to resume our life aboard EXILE for the winter. Many friends visited us this season and we enjoyed seeing everyone.  Who knows where we'll visit in the coming months!