At 9:45 AM, we leave our slip at DeMillo's Marina and head east into Casco Bay, threading the narrow channel through Diamond Pass and heading east into Hussey Channel. A three foot swell from the east causes Cutter Loose to pitch, then roll as we turn to the northeast towards Jewell Island on the eastern edge of Casco Bay. Once inside the lee of Jewell Island, the water becomes flat and the ride becomes more comfortable.
[caption id="attachment_844" align="alignleft" width="300" caption="Cutter Loose at anchor in Jewell Cove, Casco Bay, ME"]
[/caption]By 11:30 AM, Cutter Loose is anchored in a fiord-like cove at the northeast corner of Jewell Island. This is a place of incredible beauty. At low tide, there is a 20 foot wall of slate outcroppings on both our port and starboard sides. There is 14 feet of water under the keel of Cutter Loose at low tide. But the anchorage is so narrow that swing room is severely restricted. The other boats in this anchorage line up fore and aft along the centerline of the cove.
[caption id="attachment_841" align="alignright" width="300" caption="Hiking amidst the ferns on Jewell Island"]
[/caption]Rain begins to fall in the anchorage shortly after our arrival. But by late afternoon, the skies have cleared somewhat and it is time to explore ashore. We land the dinghy on a slate ledge and clambor up the rock wall for a hike to the Punchbowl, a circular beach on the ocean side of the island.
At this juncture of the cruise, there is a noticeable change in our surroundings. Rocky outcroppings and ledges exposed at low tide have become the norm. While there are many scenic harbors and coves to explore in Casco Bay, we are anxious to continue on to the mecca of downeast cruising...Penobscot Bay.
[caption id="attachment_842" align="aligncenter" width="300" caption="The Punchbowl at low tide"]
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