Due to rain from the approaching yet unpredictable remnants of hurricane Debbie, the after-festival lobster bake and picnic was moved inside and held in Florian’s barn. The barn was decorated with lights and canvas murals by legendary Maine artist Buckley Smith. Rows of chairs were set up theater style, and although warm greetings and conversation over our lobster dinner started the evening, it wasn’t long before music happened, and kept on until the party ended. 

Our new friends, the vibrant and animated sisters Suzy and Jennie, gave us a ride back to Stockton’s dock about 11pm. Fog had socked in and winds were already getting up.

I directed Bryan to row towards the fuzzy glow we figured was our anchor light at an increasing ferry-angle. We reached the port side of Avocet and Bryan touched the stern to direct us towards the starboard side hanging wooden step. Just then a steady whistling wind blew us back five yards and Bryan’s rowing wasn’t getting us any closer. Finally with a frantic effort he started to make forward progress. He grabbed onto the toe rail just as the full force of the storm hit. We climbed onboard thankful for our good fortune and Bryan’s fortitude. Bryan had tied an extra tether to the mooring and we settled down for a very bouncy night’s rest.