Quinlan, Jenny and I arrived at the boat today. We flew into Boston to visit with friends, and then drove up to Maine to rendezvous at the boat. I was really impressed at how capable and comfortable Geraldine really is. For her part, Quinlan adjusted quickly to the quirks of living and sleeping on a boat. Apparently blueberry pie goes a long way in convincing her that life on the boat will be sweet! A highlight for her was taking a bath in the cooler. Between that and woof-woofing at all the dogs on the dock, she is in heaven.

On Sunday after church, we took a tour of nearby Acadia National Park while mom and dad finalized the boat. Having been to many of the “trophy” parks in the west, we found Acadia to be lovely, but missing the jaw-dropping wonder and scale of places like Bryce Canyon and Yosemite. Still, the place has a magic and quaintness to it that makes you want to stick around to try and determine which cute ice cream shop in which cute town takes the tasting trophy for Mount Desert (appropriately pronounced Dessert) Island. But it’s not to be; on Tuesday we shove off for Canada.

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Here are some more shots to show you how Olive fits on the flybridge.  The chocks that hold her need to be fiberglassed on so the dinghy has a permanent place to sit solidly.  We plan to leave the dock Tuesday, 6/24.  They have some electronics issues to work out and chocks to complete and we’ll be ready to fill the gas tank and take off. That credit card sizzle will add to the global warming!

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Randy, Jen and Miss Q. come in today and will see Geraldine for the first time.  Since we aren’t leaving right away they will have a chance t check out Acadia National Park and get a hike in.

We had a busy day today unpacking and stowing the gear we brought and then went to launch the dinghy, Olive. Mark did a BEAUTIFUL job on her and I’ve included a close up detail to show you how the two parts of the clam shell design bolt together.  Walt rowed her over to Geraldine where she now resides on the roof all folded up.

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It was foggy and cool all day long though the weekend is supposed to improve. In the afternoon it was 53 degrees here so we have wanted the heat. As I drove to the grocery store to stock up on food I saw huge lupine flowers all about and one patch that was especially gorgeous. I didn’t have the camera with me but asked Randy and Jen to take some pictures tomorrow as they go by; I think the lupines will be taller than Quinlan!

Walt was working on priming the water maker this morning and it now puts out 16 gallons an hour! Isn’t that amazing?! We don’t have to fear taking a shower or washing clothes with this kind of output.

Mark stayed for dinner with us tonight to celebrate the completion of his project! Fun!