The Islesboro Gam

Islesboro, Maine
N 44 16.9 W 68 55.9

Now I have the urge to do ocean crossings again. Going to these SSCA gams exposes us to numerous cruisers who go to all sorts of exotic places. It makes us think that we're too conservative and too timid. Why not sail around the world? We met a couple who just returned from a 10 year circumnavigation. They don't seem much different than us.

There were more than 70 boats registered for the gam. We all met today at the home of our hosts, Dave and Kathy on Endeavour. There were only four circumnavigators in the crowd (compared to one or two dozen at the Melbourne gam last November). They are the ultra elite of sailors. The host called for applause for the circumnavigators. Good.

We heard talks about Marine Maritime Academy, and about marine insurance, and about traversing the Panama Canal, and about that 10 year circumnavigation.

Top quote of the day: The circumnavigators took questions from the audience. One person asked, "Where was the best sailing?" The answer came quickly and played to the crowd, "Why the coast of Maine of course."

We met another couple who sailed to Panama and then to Alaska and back. That's what Libby and I wanted to do our first year. They said that British Columbia is like Maine on steroids, but also that British Columbia is nothing at all compared to the Alaskan cruising waters. Sigh.

I said it before and I'll say it again. Cruisers are the most physically fit group of people, considering their ages, than you can find anywhere else in the USA. It stands out every time we see a crowd of sailing cruisers. (There were only two power boat cruisers among the 70 boats at the gam. Consider fuel prices.)

We passed on regards to Dave and Kathy from Richard and Penny on Viking Rose. We all agreed that it is sad that Viking Rose is summering in New Bern rather than sailing in Maine.

Libby made chili for the pot luck lunch. That's the first time she made chili since the chili cookoff contest in Marathon. She's getting awfully good at it. When I tasted it, I wanted to keep it and not take it to the pot luck. No such luck. Then I hoped that there would be some left over to take back to the boat. After all, there was enough food there to feed an army. No such luck. The SSCA gang ate every last bite. (: