Shakedown Cruise 2017 Belfast Harbor

Finally..we were able to get the boat out of the garage and into the water for a brief shakedown cruise in Belfast Harbor. Taking advantage of a break in the cold, wet , nasty weather so far this spring we headed to the boat ramp for our initial 2017 launching. 

Poor Forest..this being his first boat ride, he was a little anxious at the start but settled in quite nicely with the aid of peanut butter infused kongs and kibbles.  Kiwi on the other hand is now an ol' salt and took the entire experience in stride.  Ever mindful and on point for the possibility of more treats. 

As there was a breeze and subsequent chop and being that this was our first outing after a very long winter's layoff, we kept the cruise on the conservative side enjoying the inner harbor and keeping a close eye out on the boat's systems. 

In my excitement I forgot my camera and had to use my cell phone for the photos..The waterfront was very active and there was an added bonus.  The "Gulf Challenger", The University of New Hampshire's marine research vessel , of which my nephew is Captain, was tied up for a couple of weeks worth of work.

Gulf Challenger

As I said, it was a short cruise but significant in the fact that we were finally back out on the water and all systems checked out. 

Hopefully we'll get into a better weather pattern soon.

Finally..A Break In The Rain..Eel Fishing

     It finally stopped raining long enough so Kiwi and I could get out for a walk this morning..I figured the upper end of The Rail Trail would be a good choice as most of our normal hiking paths were sure to be very mucky..

     Not far from the start (or the end) of the trail is the old Belfast and Moosehead Lake Railroad trestle spanning the upper Passawassawakeag River, which is mostly tidal water. Underneath the footbridge and the highway bridge, just up stream were some elver nets.

These baby eels can sell for $2000.00 per pound. Yes that's right.  2 G's per pound. I guess a $10.00 a pound hard shell lobster isn't such a bad deal after all.. 

We also managed to spy a bald eagle, a kingfisher and assorted sea ducks. Time well spent

Busy As A Beaver..Only It's Woody Woodpecker

I haven't been able to observe the culprit who's been hard at work on one of the fir trees on our property but I have a pretty strong suspicion ..

Pretty low for a nesting spot? Bugs? This early? Anyways old Woody is making short work of the soft wood.

And it looks like we dodged a bullet on the snowstorm forecast for this weekend..lots of room for snow out in The Atlantic Ocean..50's in the forecast for later on this coming week..almost time to start doing springtime boat chores...

A NEW SEASON DRAWING NEARER..IT'S ABOUT TIME

BANGOR BOAT SHOW...

 Well it's officially Spring, at least that's the designation on the calendar. Things seemed to have been moving along just fine. The ground was bare, the sap buckets were out, the rake nearly made it out of winter storage..and then..snow..18" of the stuff. Winter was back with a vengeance. Very annoying...

Aside from the new seed and fishing catalogs that have been springing up in my roadside mailbox, one other spring indicator for me are the boat shows that arrive in several Maine locations this time of year. So Pat and I took advantage of a nice Sunday to check out some of the new models at The Bangor Boat Show.

What a pleasure to see all the gleaming and shined up models..bass boats..runabouts..jon boats..pleasure boats..jet skis.. and seemingly taking up half the floor space..party barges. (They look like it would be fun to rent one for a day with a bunch of friends and , well, party. Possibly they might be too much fun.)

  

Not a sail to be seen. No, not in this show. This one is all about filling up the tank and grippin' it and rippin' it. 

And once we got home? I took a slightly longer glance at our little craft  safely tucked away in the garage.

And during those few seconds longer I found myself looking forward to the boating times that we are hoping to enjoy this coming season.  Our little boat may not be as shiny and gleaming as it once was but we are feeling pretty darned fortunate to have her. And the one option that she has that none of the new boats have? 

Great memories.. 

AND MORE TO COME..