Rockport and Western Penobscot Bay

After almost a week in Castine and Smith Cove, we pointed the bow toward western Penobscot Bay. Our new sail was on its way to Maine and that’s where we could take delivery!

After a super peaceful night in Turtle Head Cove at the north end of Islesboro, we arrived in Rockport. As we turned into the harbor, passing Indian Head Light, we could already tell Rockport was going to be a good fit for us.  We tied up to a mooring that a friend was generous enough to lend us and looked around in awe—beautiful yachts on one side of us, trees and rocky shore on the other. While the harbor can be a bit rolly, the quaint town makes up for it! Walking trails and outdoor space are abundant.

So much great outdoor fun here!

Once we knocked out some long-overdue laundry, we set to walking and eating our way through town. There are several restaurants and a lobster shack within a 10-15 minute walk and every place we tried was amazing! While there is a Hannaford grocery store about a 25 minute walk from the docks, Maine Street Meats is closer and oh so good! Fresh butchered meats, fresh baked breads, fresh local produce, tons of cheese, and beer and wine. And as our boy had once again outgrown shoes, we were thrilled that Maine Sport Outfitters was right up the road. And thrilled that my friend Deb could stop by and deliver some of her yummy homemade jam!

Clockwise from top left: Deb’s awesome jam, Graffam Bros. lobster rolls, Maine St. Meats dinner spread, cheesy panini from RAYR.

This stop was also great for visiting with friends from college! Ladleah and Shane popped by on their boat, Jess drove over from Popham with our sail and mail, and Kristy and her kiddos joined us for a fun day on the water! We left Rockport with full hearts and plenty of new gear to play with!

Great fun with friends!

Our new 135% tri-radial Dacron genoa from Quantum Sails! 😍

Before we could leave Penobscot Bay we had to stop by Rockland and visit Bixby & Co Chocolates. Rockland is nice, but bigger and busier than we were really after. We did manage to visit Bixby, Coast Guard Exchange (liquor run!), Hamilton Marine (a fabulous chandlery!), and a few other shops, and we got fuel, water, and pumped out (which was a disastrous poop show, literally!). It was a busy one-night stop, but we are happy to be heading for Mount Desert Island and points Down East!