As we were setting the jib the next morning, Tanqueray came through the thoroughfare and came along side. We were off to Camden, and they were off to Rockland. We blew kisses and shouted our goodbyes to Viviane, hoping to catch up with both of them sometime around Labor Day, and hopefully Lawrence before that.
It was a downwind run to Camden and we went wing on wing. One of the schooners was right behind us, and it slowly started filling the gap. I laughed and started quoting the movie The Princess Bride: “Do you think they are using the same wind as us? Inconceivable!!!”
We got to Camden late afternoon, and started our typical shore visit: loading up the trash (you can’t dispose of trash on many of the islands because they don’t have facilities except for locals), gathering up the dirty laundry, and packing our toiletry bags for a long hot shower.
The whole reason we stopped in Camden this season (apart from it being one of the more charming Maine seaside towns) was the OCC (Ocean Cruising Club) Rally and Mini Cruise. We joined the OCC two years ago, whose only required qualification is to sail non-stop for 1,000 miles. Can’t stop and anchor. Can’t stop at a dock for fuel. Can’t grab a mooring to wait out a storm. We qualified with our off shore run from Norfolk to St Thomas (1,500 miles). But we’re chump change in this sailing community. We’ve met more people who have circumnavigated and traveled to the most incredible places by boat. The rally was a chance for 135+ members to get together to trade stories and enjoy the beautiful Maine day over lobster rolls and blueberry crumble.
We had also reserved the marina’s coutesy car, so we went off to do some heavy provisioning (read booze and all the other heavy things you don’t want to walk to the boat normally). Though downtown markets are charming, prices and offerings are usually better at the standard supermarkets that are a longer distance out of town. We got everything organized and went over to Looma IV to have sundowners with Mads & Lotta, as well as to chat more with Klaus & Katrin on Saphir, a beautiful Hallberg Rassy.
Monday morning everyone raced for the marina showers (no one wants to waste water on the boat if they don’t have a watermaker), and then we all set off for Seal Bay, Vinalhaven. We had decided to join a group of OCC boats for a mini-cruise (everyone sails their own boats to a set location each day for 4 days).
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