It took another 4 hours to cross from Pelican Bay to the top of Charlotte Harbor. Entering the fresh water canal leading to the Safe Cove, Inc. Boat Storage Yard involved passing through a user-operated lock. Even though we had cleared 106 locks while on the Great Loop, we were still a bit anxious about negotiating the narrow approach and landing on a short dock to pull the access chain. A couple in a boat offered to use their remote control to open the entrance door and we readily accepted their offer. Come to find out, they were from Falmouth, Maine. Once inside the lock, the next activating chain to pull extended down from our pilot house level. We were able pull that easily, closing the entrance door and then opening the exit door of the lock ourselves. For 1 1/2 hours we putt-putted along through the various canal neighhoods, arriving at the Safe Cove dock. Lots of boats were already tied up awaiting their turn with the Travel Lift. Owner Jack helped us with our lines and then delivered me to our car waiting for us near the office. The rest of the afternoon was spent toting our many packed bags and boxes off the boat, down the dock and into the car. After completing two loads of laundry, we made our last supper from the remaining refrigerated food and tumbled into bed. That night drought-stricken Charlotte Harbor was blessed with a four-hour deluge of rain complete with nature’s sound and light show. Our Summertime was scheduled for her haul-out at 9am. Right on schedule the process began. The pressure-washed surface of her lower hull showed us that the bottom paint we rolled on 3 years ago was still in good shape... remarkable! Summertime was ceremoniously placed next to Liberty, a Pilgrim 40... our second-most favorite type of trawler. From May 2 to early November they will share a covered space. After eating some of the best Thai food ever, we crashed and slept for 11 hours in air-conditioned splender at a nearby hotel. At our age, we are learning that it takes longer to recover from big exertions than it used to!
 |
| Self operated lock to separate the salty Charlotte harbor from the fresh water canal system |
 |
| Canal System |
 |
| Safe Cove Boat Storage Yard |
Thus ends the saga!
Created By Darcy O Campbell
3 comments:
Fantastical year!!! Congratulations.
We have booked 1301, a hacienda owned by Doris Norito, for next January through April. Hope to see you in the neighborhood!
Steve and Vesta
Thanks gor the update... love following your adventures
Have loved following your looping adventures! Beautiful photos and great reads from ea update. Have a wonderful summer in Maine ----"see" you in the fall!
Post a Comment