Belfast, Maine

     Our mooring ball in Camden was a bit uncomfortable on Friday night into Saturday.  There was no wind and when we went to bed for the night it seemed like we would have a nice quiet night for sleeping.  At about 2 AM however, both Keith and I woke up as the boat was rolling pretty significantly from side to side.  Keith got up and looked out.  All was calm as far as wind, but there was a swell coming into our mooring field from the ocean and hitting us just perfectly broadside to make the boat roll.  It lasted until about 4:45 AM when things finally quieted down.  Just long enough to have really interrupted our sleep. 

Saturday morning was beautiful, despite our lack of a good sleep.  We left our mooring about 8 AM for Belfast, Maine.  We arrived in Belfast about 10:30 AM Saturday.

     The Belfast Rail Trail opened in 2016.  It follows a section of the old rail bed from the Belfast and Moosehead Lake Railroad.  This was a historic short-line railroad that operated over 33 miles from Belfast to Burnham beginning in 1871 until 2007.  It meanders along the Passagassawakeag River.  The river's name is a Native American name meaning the place for spearing sturgeon by torchlight.  The trail extends from Belfast about 2.2 miles to City Point where there is a small museum in the old train station and several vintage train cars.  The museum was not open so we suspect it may not have had enough interest/money to keep it open.

View of the Passagassawakeag River from the rail trail

Keith on the trestle bridge of the rail trail

The old Belfast and Moosehead Lake railroad at City Point

     Saturday night the people on the sail boat next to us were outside playing harps and violin.  They played Celtic music and we really enjoyed listening to them.  They were very talented and the evening was just right for relaxing and listening to some soothing music.  At 9:20 PM the town put off fireworks from the pedestrian bridge at the top of the harbor.

Our neighbors playing Celtic music

Getting ready for fireworks as the sun sets.  Sitting on the bow of Southern Style.

Fireworks

Our next several stops will be in smaller towns where we will likely be on a mooring ball or anchoring.  I am not sure what cell or Internet service we will have, but stay tuned.