On Friday, July 11, Down East Yacht Club boaters and guests gathered at the Carousel Marina, hosted by Bill and Anne George, to get instructions for the week. Fleet captains Jim and Betty Hunton had planned a great cruise.

On Saturday, the fleet set off for Dix Island for sun and fun, a live crab race, cocktails, and a great Southwestern chili dinner prepared by our hosts R/C George and Theresa Hamilton. Dix Island has always be a favorite of the DEYC.

On Sunday morning, we were off to Warren Island for another great gathering. Joe and Brenda Blake hosted the fleet on this beautiful 76-acre island. Warren Island is a beautiful state park and has a pavilion area for gathering. We grilled and shared lots of favorite side dishes with all our friends. It was also glitziest, funniest shirt night, and the “fun” club did its best to out do previous years.

On Monday we went to another favorite spot, Belfast Harbor. Hosted by Freeman and Bea Etheridge, we feasted on Maine’s finest lobster for dinner.

On Tuesday the weather started to change, the rain lasted most of the day and night. The water pistol dingy fight was a go since we got very wet anyway. Those who participated had a blast (no pun intended). However, even in the rain, plans must be followed through; Bob and Paula Wheeler hosted and we gathered on the east shore boat yard to have a “Pizza Party” put on by Harvest Moon Brick Oven Pizza, fantastic wood-fired oven gourmet pizza, salads and sides was a treat for all.

As the weather became a real problem we all decided to stay one more night in Benjamin River. The owner of the boathouse was delighted to let us use it again on Wednesday evening to have a “raid your pantry” gathering on shore.

Thursday morning we headed off to Northeast Harbor for a two day stay. On Thursday evening we were hosted by Woody and Margaret Thompson and Ron and Faye O’Blenis with a cocktail party and Subway sandwiches.

Friday was a relaxing day, riding the bus to Bar Harbor to shop, hike the trails or just taking a nap! Ron and Faye put together a closing ceremony of thank you gifts, gag gifts, and many stories of the week. A buffet dinner was enjoyed at the Watermark restaurant.

Saturday good-byes we said and some continued downeast, while the majority headed home to Boothbay Harbor. This year will go down in the story books as another wonderful cruise.