We have been witness to wonderful sunsets over the past 35 years of cruising. From Cocos Keeling in the Indian Ocean, to Fatu Hiva in the Marquesas, Prince William Sound in Alaska, to Greenland’s Disco Bay, we’ve been thrilled, chilled, and awe struck. But nothing compares to what we just experienced here in prosaic Smith Cove, in the state of Maine, USA.
When there are clouds, glass smooth water, and a clear western sky, you can expect the extraordinary. The further from the tropics this takes place, the longer the experience.
We were out in the dinghy, trying not to disturb the surface of the water, shooting primarily with the Canon 5D3 body and a 15/35mm zoom lens.
This series of photos was taken over an hour.
Smith Cove is adjacent to the village of Castine. It is noted for an early revolutionary war battle between the British and the revolutionary radicals, and for getting Paul Revere his start in the silver business; an interesting story for sure.
We are here to check Smith Cove as a hurricane anchorage, and to test the holding of the bottom.
Cruising while working is guaranteed to create frustration. There isn’t time to really get into a rhythm, to maintain the boat as might otherwise be the case, or to immerse yourself in new relationships. At some point each season we usually find ourselves examining the choices we have made in this regard. We occasionally discuss changing our life style. After all, we’ve spent the vast majority of our adulthood messing about, or you might say obsessed with boats. But then something like this sunset happens, an event we’d miss if we change our lifelong MO.
We’ll leave you with a few more pictures.
Posted by Steve Dashew (September 9, 2012)
September 9th, 2012 at 9:11 pm
Wowwww.
September 9th, 2012 at 11:50 pm
Awesome pictures, I haven’t checked your smugmug site, hopefully there’ll be some full-size versions there…
In that first picture of Windhorse, there seems to be a fairly regular pattern of vertical lines and to a lesser extent of horizontal lines. Other recent pictures have shown the hull to have a nice uniform oxidized look and I don’t think you’ve mentioned having the hull polished in couple years, so I’m wondering what the pattern is. Very slight discontinuities from the shaping of the hull plates?
September 10th, 2012 at 6:39 am
Hull was last buffed winter of 2008 in the UK.
September 10th, 2012 at 3:34 am
you just made my monday….speechless!
September 10th, 2012 at 10:22 am
Steve,
Wonderful pictures.
We stayed in Smith Cove during Irene. A little to the SW of where you are anchored. The holding seemed solid, although I did wait a bit before really backing down on the anchor. We probably have a bit more windage than you and a slightly smaller Rocna of 70 kg. Got there early and let out plenty of chain. Then browbeat anyone who couldn’t resist anchoring close by (why is it that everyone wants to anchor close?)
Don
September 10th, 2012 at 4:00 pm
Astonishing photos. Thank you for investing in the technology to share that sunset.
My most spectacular sunset was in Roosevelt Roads, P.R. in 1990 with giant clouds coming over the rainforest mountains. We were finishing up a fire drill, draining the hoses on the flight deck of the USS Patterson and I stopped the debrief to get the guys on my duty section to take a moment to memorize that moment. Of all the discomforts, indignities, indecencies and abuse of crewing a Reserve Frigate, that moment paid back some portion of the soul sacrificed to the ship. Thank you again for feeding our souls with the bounty of your journey.
September 16th, 2012 at 12:36 am
Hi there,
I just wanted to let you know that your pictures have gone viral! My wife was telling me about the most amazing sunset picture she just saw on facebook… it turned out to be one from this page! She was even more awed by seeing your entire set.
Thanks for a great site!
Keith
September 22nd, 2012 at 11:08 am
Dear Steve and Linda,
We were in Tom Cod Cove (east of Holbrook Is and south of Ram Is) around the corner from you for that same sunset and as you say it was a memorable one. I was struck by your superlatives for it, since we see a sunset at least that beautiful once every season or two here along the Maine coast. Glad you were here for it. It actually would have just barely made the top five in our cruising experience. An artist friend once told me the light here on the Maine coast was unique in his experience, and I have had many occasions to reaffirm that.
On a personal note, we did notice you motoring slowly past us before sunset, and I was sad you went elsewhere. I would have rowed over to re-introduce myself had you anchored nearby. I last saw you at the Shark catamaran national championships in Charleston in 1966. I have followed your career in sailing with great interest ever since. Keep up the wonderful work.
Lloyd Van Lunen
J-120 Boreas
September 22nd, 2012 at 5:31 pm
Hi Lloyd:
Shark championships, now that goes back a ways. Still have the same crew. Do you recall the story that got started about how Linda ended up sailing on the Shark? That has given us some grins over the years. We agree on the light. The remarkable thing is how often it is wonderful. We are in the area for the next few weeks. If you see us, come by for a gam.
September 23rd, 2012 at 6:35 pm
We are finished with our two week cruise, alas, so connecting with you would be difficult. My home port is Brunswick, ME at the head of Casco Bay, though I can get up to Rockland pretty easily by car. A friend and I will be out sailing on October 6-8. Maybe we will cross tracks then. It would be a real trewat for me to touch base with you.
September 23rd, 2012 at 7:59 pm
We look forward to it, Lloyd.