2020 Muscongus Bay Getaway

[Kyle.Martin]

2020 Muscongus Bay Getaway photo album

 

     Seven hearty souls gathered together for the 3rd annual Muscongus Bay Getaway. In these strange times, it was great that this small group was able to responsibly convene and leave the real world behind for a few days. 
     Six arrived for a mid-morning put in at the usual Friendship launch. We awaited Yong’s arrival later in the day as he was having his requisite COVID test performed that morning. The initial group of Bob, Evie, Christian, Marcy, Troad and myself set out for a paddle instead of proceeding directly to the lodge, given the days Northerly wind conditions. We explored the small inlet just west of Friendship harbor and meandered around the little nubbin islands in that area. Even got a speaking-to by some local fisherman for paddling over their pogie boil- awkward! After escaping this confrontation with local pirates, we enjoyed a nice push south down to the southern end of Friendship long island. We rounded the southern end and enjoyed a pleasant lunch at the Maine Coast Heritage Trust site at the south east end of the island. After lunch we saddled up and ponied onward to the lodge via the passage between Friendship, Long, and Morse. 
     On the crossing from the north end of Morse to Gay island, we spotted Yong paddling from across the channel. He appeared to have already deposited his goods at the lodge and was headed North towards the Pleasant Point gut, the channel between the mainland and Gay Island where the lodge is. We were able to hail him on the radio and arrest his foreword progress into the depths of a solo progression around the island. He was glad to see us. Bob, Christian, Troad, and I came together for an evening circumnavigation of Gay before arriving back at the lodge for an amazing sunset, and Yong’s lettuce cups. 
     Saturday morning rewarded us with relatively calm conditions and a light Northerly wind. Since conditions in the afternoon called for a reversing wind direction from the South we decided on descending the Georges Island chain down to Burnt. Rose, the island caretaker, was excited to be joining us and we were glad to have her along. We enjoyed lunch on the massive granite slabs on the east side of Burnt. We anticipated watching the wind die and then change direction perched high above the water looking out towards Port Clyde and Marshal Point lighthouse. No such luck. The wind remained northerly but was manageable at a steady 7 knots. Because of this we had a great deal of shelter as we climbed our way back North towards Gay island. 
     Upon reaching Caldwell island, the group split with Marcie and Yong beelining back to the lodge while the rest of us paddled directly North into the Pleasant point gut to pick up a few lobsters that were awaiting us. We were successful in our lobster pickup, but unfortunately had overestimated the amount of water that would be in the Southern end of the gut. A small portage was required. 
     Sunday called for similar wind conditions and direction as the day before, so we elected to paddle the classic Northerly route through Friendship Harbor towards Bremen Long Island. We paddled from Martin’s point over to the channel between Bremen Long and Cow Islands. We enjoyed the multiple mini peninsulas and nubbin islands on the southern end of Bremen long before proceeding across the channel to our lunch spot on the mainland at Broad Cove Marina, where we took advantage of their diverse menu of seafood offerings. After lunch we rounded Bremen Long island on the Northern end and enjoyed a fast ride south with the ebbing tide and tailwind down the Flying Passage, between the mainland and Bremen Long. Upon reaching Martin’s Point, we were then convinced that the wind was chasing us, as it shifted to the Southwest. In light of this we proceeded directly across to Friendship Long island where we were able to take advantage of this change. We picked up some dollar oysters from the oyster farm just a stone’s throw from the lodge on our way home. These were savored along with excellent conversation and stargazing that night. 
     We enjoyed a leisurely morning on Monday awaiting the arrival of Rose who would ferry some of our heavier goods across the harbor for us. Many enjoyed a brief walk around the property after packing up. After Rose’s arrival and assisting her with loading the boat, we headed back to the put-in via Morse island and the channel between Friendship long and Garrison island. 
     An excellent time was had by all. We all reflected on how during our escape from the real world, there were periods where we completely forgot all about the nightmarish drama that we had left behind on the mainland. My hope is that more people can have this sort of experience in their own lives and carry it forward to their friends, families, and communities.  

Edited September 23, 2020 by Kyle.Martin

[prudenceb]

Nice, Kyle!  Had the same feeling on the Bold Coast trip!

[Joseph Berkovitz]

<sigh> looks fantastic and brings back some memories...