Your Weekly Guide to Life in Midcoast Maine

BY KELLY MICHAUD, EDITOR

A light breeze filtered into Penobscot Bay as some friends and I waited on the Rockland landing for a ride out to a mooring. We were spending the afternoon on an Etchells 22 sailboat. Finally, I was going sailing for my first time. Not having the time, the funds, nor the stomach most likely, to handle a week on a windjammer, I jumped at the opportunity to sail out of Rockland harbor to Owls Head and back.

The closest experience to sailing I've ever had was on a catamaran off of Puerto Plata, but that was for pure pleasure and didn't involve any work. I've always been intrigued by sailing — often it's romanticized by films and in novels. Authors write about characters basking in the sun as the wind whips past them and the waves crash against the sides of the boat. That had been my catamaran experience. Films and TV get more interesting as the characters lives are in peril and the boat is tossed about in a storm. That was not what I wanted out of this experience. Weather reports had forecasted bright, sunny skies so I was hopeful.

I climbed aboard, awaiting instructions from my friend who was taking a couple of us out on the water. I thought I might be of some use. I know what the bow and stern are and I know that port is left — so starboard is right. Shipshape is in my vocabulary. Heck, I even know how to tie a boland knot.

Well, turns out I don't know much at all.

When the nautical terms came streaming out of his mouth and he began pointing to the lines, clamps, cleats, and talking about tacking and the jib sail, the hull, the boom and about 50 other things — I knew I was in trouble. I had no idea how complex sailing is. It obviously doesn't look easy, but when you need to learn about 10 new words to perform one task, it can make for an interesting day and quite the learning experience. Luckily there wasn't a quiz afterwards.

Navigating out of the harbor past lobster boats and day sailers, the wind caught our sail and the fun began. From the water we were able to get a beautiful view of the Rockland Breakwater Light, which sits on a man-made rock formation. During the late 1800s a .8 mile-long stone jetty of massive granite blocks was built at the entrance to Rockland harbor. In 1902 the permanent lighthouse was built at the breakwater's end, and a 25-foot brick tower was added on top of the roof of the keeper's house.

Admiring the homes that face the ocean on Owls Head we sailed toward Owls Head harbor for a glimpse of the Owls Head Light, which is at the entrance to Rockland harbor. The brick tower stands 20 feet tall and the oil house, built in 1895, still stands.

Although the gusts weren't as strong as we had hoped, a few times we really were taken for a ride. Leaning back with the boat arched on its side, we cruised down the coast. Not only was the land around us beautiful, but with the smell of the salt water and the wind howling in your ears, it was one of the most relaxing things I had done all week.

There are boats up and down the Midcoast that offer day sailing adventures and sometimes smaller vessels test their skills against each other as they race in the harbors.

Following my excursion, I have a deeper respect for those who sail and navigate the waters. They are a special breed of artists. *****

There are treasures and wonderful experiences such as these all along the coast. Share yours with me and other readers. Let us know what makes Midcoast Maine so unique and fascinating.

Until next week, have fun in whatever you do while you’re steppin’ out in Midcoast Maine.

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