Our destination is Duck Harbor located on the southwest coast of Isle a Haut. The skies are overcast today and there is a threat of rain. The seas are calm, there is no fog and there are plenty of buoys along our route to guide us away from the shallow ledges, which means that navigation comes easy today. We can relax and enjoy the sail.
Duck Harbor is a tiny cove with deepwater space for only a few boats. The harbor is eerily empty when we arrive at midday. Other than a small ferry dock in the middle of the harbor, there are no signs of civilization here. No cell phone connection. No Internet connection. Not even a duck. It is a wonderful desolate place surrounded by wooded cliffs.
Duck Harbor provides access to hiking trails and primitive campsites within the National Park. The ferry from Stonington makes two trips each day. In order to protect the fragile landscape, visitors to the Isle au Haut portion of Acadia National Park are limited to 50 each day.
[caption id="attachment_1105" align="alignleft" width="300" caption="Island Spirit and Cutter Loose at anchor in Duck Harbor, Isle au Haut"]
[/caption]A few other boats trickle into the harbor. By previous arrangement, one of them is the sailing vessel Island Spirit with friends Radeen and Hayden Cochran on board. They recently arrived in Penobscot Bay from our mutual home port of Rock Hall, MD. We have known Hayden and Radeen since 1992 when our boats were docked next to one another at Spring Cove Marina in Rock Hall.
[caption id="attachment_1104" align="alignright" width="300" caption="Friends Hayden and Radeen Cochran at Duck Harbor"]
[/caption]The day passes quickly, swapping stories, sharing information and planning future sailing itineraries with Hayden and Radeen. The discussion continues over dinner aboard Cutter Loose. The natural beauty of Duck Harbor provides the perfect setting for this rendezvous.
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