Going for It on Casco Bay

[EEL]

It had been six weeks since salt water and the temps were up, but Sat. not feasible and appointment in Portland on Sunday till noon. Forecast was 80% chance showers, afternoon winds 15-20K, waves around 2-4 ft and Small Craft Advisory, but Gail says lets take the boats and see how it goes. Driving up to Portland clouds from approaching low front still high and weather radio indicates no rain in area. At noon up to Cousins with three hours to low tide. Overcast, gray, chilly and raw, but still no reported rains and buoy info promising. What the heck, forecast is for showers not rain, this part of the Bay protected, and the wind is steady. Decide to go south against the wind which lets us monitor the approaching front. Just a nice paddle for a few hours sharing the bay with seals and birds as the only vessel we saw all day was the Peaks ferry. Clouds getting lower and the horizon getting closer, so time to return with the wind pushing us along as we ride small following waves. By pure luck the showers started as we packed up to head for chowder on Commercial St.

Some days it pays to go for it...with caution.

Ed Lawson