Isles of Shoals, NH

We got an early start on Monday, September 2 and left our S. Portland anchorage by 8 a.m. for the six hour cruise to the Isles of Shoals. Leaving  Portland harbor officially ends our wonderful month’s voyage in Maine. 

As we cruised south we passed several lighthouses, the first being Portland Breakwater Light (also known as Bug Light).  We also passed Spring Point Ledge Light and Portland Head Light. These last two are shown in the photos below.

Next came Cape Elizabeth Light at the southern approach to Portland’s harbor.  About an hour north of our destination we passed the tallest lighthouse in New England, the Boone Island Light, way out in the distance.

We were traveling three to five miles off-shore with few other boats and many fewer lobster pots.  It was cool enough for Archie and me to be bundled up and cozy on the flybridge.

Cruising by Appledore Island we saw lots of lovely homes lining the shore.

It was a pretty long day and we finally arrived at the cluster of islands known as the Isles of Shoals by 2:50.  As we approached it we passed the White Island Light also known as the Isles of Shoals Light.

We grabbed one of the free moorings owned by the Portsmouth Yacht Club. It seemed like we were in an area with an open fetch so we quickly moved to a spot that was a bit more protected  (or so we thought). After a brief afternoon rest we dinghied in to the only island in this group of nine that allows you to walk your dog on it. We pulled up to the rocky seaweed strewn shoreline at low tide. Jonny dropped me off first so I wouldn’t get wet and he tied up the dinghy and carried Archie up to the shore. 

The whole area was basically a big rocky island which wasn’t the best for walking. There was no beach or wooded area to explore. We had to keep Archie on his leash so he wouldn’t go over to the adjacent island.  There were a couple of people trying to fly a kite next to a picturesque house. We didn’t spend much time there, just enough for him to do his business.

That evening we had a cozy dinner of meatloaf, mashed potatoes and summer squash. It turned out that we were in for a very rocky and rolly night so we just made the best of it watching a couple of episodes of Suits and going to bed fairly early.  Next stop - Gloucester, MA.