10 top reasons to cruise in Maine

Since last Friday night I posted Friday Night Thank Yous ala Jimmy Fallon, all week I've been working on today's 10 Top Reasons to Cruise to Maine ala David Letterman.  Again, my apologies - I'm not a comedian, but I hope you can appreciate Maine as much as David and I have and have enjoyed reading about Maine as much as we have enjoyed visiting Maine and sharing our pictures and our thoughts with you.  At the end of our trip - next Friday - one of my famous poems.

Here we go:
THE TEN TOP REASONS TO CRUISE TO MAINE

Number 10 - Lousy TV reception (no Channel 10, Frank Coletta, Dan Jaehnig, Mark Searles).  We have resorted to DVDs.  And spotty internet access.  (Thank goodness for my iPhone HOTSPOT)


Number 9 - Moorings less than $40.00 per night.  Those of you that know us well know that we hardly ever take a mooring - we always anchor to save the money.  Well up here we've had to bite the bullet and pay for moorings.  Anchorages are few and far between, and even if we can anchor it's a rocky, hard bottom, and with the extremes in tides (sometimes 10 feet) you have to anchor in at least 20+ feet of water to ensure that no rocks will be popping up to the surface under your boat at low tide.

Number 8 - Quaint Villages.  I think our favorite village was Port Clyde.  If you can call Diamond Cove a village, then add that to the list.  I am always amazed that there are so many houses on the islands in Casco Bay.

Number 7 - Lobster Boats.  They are all over the place.  The lobstermen and women work extremely hard.  David watched one lobsterman throw back 6 out of 8 lobsters that he removed from the pot he had just hauled out of the water.  He then re-baited the pot, and threw it back overboard to move on to haul the next pot only to the same result.  They do this all day long.  Monday through Saturday.  Sundays, by law in Maine they may not pull pots.  The boats are clean and don't smell bad at all.  Not like those in Narragansett Bay that you can smell a mile away.

Number 6 - Islands and more Islands.  I read that there are 222 islands in Casco Bay.  We visited less than 10 on this trip.  We have a list of more that we need to visit that grows every day.  And we want to come back to some.  It is amazing to see them, and to know that they were shaped by the glaciers.

Number 5 - The Lobster Pot Maze.  I think someone should develop an app for iPhone called The Lobster Pot Maze.  They are so colorful too.  I swear the lobstermen stay up nights dreaming of new color combinations to put on their pots.  We have managed to maneuver through the maze - usually as you get closer a path opens up for you to follow.  We haven't sailed much because of them though.

Number 4 - Floating Seaweed Islands.  This should be added to Number 6 - there are literally huge pockets of seaweed that float on the tide line that almost look like Islands.  It's the seaweed that David keeps removing from the strainer of Obsession's engine, OCD's (our dink) prop, the ladder (if we leave it down all day or night) and the dinghy painter if it hangs in the water.  We try to avoid these "islands" like the lobster pots too.

Number 3 - Sky Watching.  This started out as sunsets, but we watch the sky all day and night.  Sunrises, sunsets, thunderstorms, cloud formations, constellations and the Milky Way.  All so especially beautiful in this setting.  I can't take enough pictures or describe the scenes with words.

Number 2 - Freeport Shopping.  This was one of my favorite days.  And it came unexpectedly because of the weather.  We rarely shop, and although I enjoy shopping, it's not usually something we plan to do on our cruises other than window shop.  Let's say we contributed to the economy of Freeport.  And it was such an enjoyable day.  We had pizza for lunch (something we never have on the boat) and dodged raindrops running from store to store.  An enjoyable part of our cruise to Maine.

Number 1 - LOBSTER.  Of course - for breakfast, lunch, dinner and dessert.  Why not?  Lobster omelettes, lobster salad rolls, steamed lobster and even lobster ice-cream.


It's Saturday, August 13th.  Since my last post we spent a day in Freeport, Maine at LL Bean and the outlets.  We enjoyed the day dodging raindrops, and dropped a pretty penny on some Christmas presents and some back to school clothes for us.  We really got some good bargains.  Like buy 1 pair of khakis, get 2 free, and then at the check out we got 3 $5.00 off coupons for 3 other stores.  David got a new winter fleece lined jacket and some nice short sleeve shirts.  We found a nice back pack for Baleigh at LL Bean and some nice tops for me.  Not bad - we spent $300.00 and saved $300.00.  Doesn't that mean we got everything for free?  David doesn't understand my shopping logic.  Pizza for lunch - something we don't have on the boat and a bad weather day turned into fun.  I'd do it again.

When we left Freeport it was our intention to visit Chandler Cove.  The trip there took less than an hour, but by the time we got there the wind had picked up from the SW to about 20 knots.  Chandler Cove is open to the SW so we headed for Great Diamond Island instead.  As we approached we became apprehensive because the cove looked very small, and there was no place to anchor.  The Diamond's Edge Restaurant has a dock you can stay at overnight if you have dinner, so we called - no docks available tonite, but they advised us to pick up any mooring in the harbor.  No sooner did we do that, than another boat (we had seen them in Chandler Cove earlier) came in and picked up the mooring behind us.  We chatted - they are from Jamestown, RI.  Later that afternoon another boat (a HInckley) picked up the mooring in front of us - from Newport, RI.  We didn't recognize them, but so ironic, that 3 out of the 6 or 7 boats on moorings in Diamond Cove were from the Newport area.

Great Diamond Island is one place we will return to.  Not just because of the free dockage/mooring, but because of the history.  It's an army barracks built during the Spanish American War and also utilized during WWII by the army and the navy.  The buildings have been converted to the restaurant, a general store, a medical clinic, townhouses, and single family homes to form a community called Diamond Cove.  Very exclusive.  Even the parade (surrounded by the converted barracks and officer's homes) has a pool and a spa at one end.  It was called Fort McKinley.  Check it out on the web.  I didn't take many pictures, they are private residences, and there are signs all over the place asking visitors to respect the privacy of the residents.

Next stop - Jewell Island.  Another island used during the WWII.  Today we will investigate the bunkers etc.  It's now owned by the state, and people come here to camp.  The only way to get here is by boat and we watched several families arrive in skiffs and small boats, unload tents, coolers, sleeping bags etc. and hike up to the campsites.

We met three other couples while here - had cocktails aboard a beautiful Beneteau 43 owned by Elwin and Cheryl (a retired opthalmologist) with their traveling companions Sue and Ken (C&C 39) along with  Steve and Janet (Catalina 400).  We chatted about places we have visited. Got some great tips on places to visit in the future and enjoyed the company of others for a change.  It would be so nice to travel with another boat up here - get the hint Marge and George?  You'd love it!!!!

When we leave here tomorrow we head to Portland - to sit out another rainy day Monday. Mal has offered to shop for me and meet us there.  I think we'll take her to lunch at DiMillo's - the converted Newport to Jamestown Ferry.  When we leave Portland on Tuesday we have a long haul to Isles of Shoals (not David's favorite place - to be explained in a later blog) then Gloucester (I really want to go down the Annisquam River and avoid going outside Cape Ann) then Plymouth on Thursday.   For those of you watching the weather - we are too.  If it looks like one of those storms out in the Atlantic is heading this way we will hunker down in Plymouth - so don't worry. We'll be safe.    Then we have to time our departure from Plymouth in time to catch the current through the Cape Cod Canal (2:22pm on Friday).  We could stay in Hadley's Harbor that night and be in Cuttyhunk late Saturday morning.  As always, plans are subject to change due to weather and/or how we feel.

Boothbay, Harpswell Harbor and now Freeport

Boothbay was a perfect respite from the weather - we wandered around the shops, had some homemade ice-cream, took a trolley ride, relaxed in the lounge of Carousel Marine, met some interesting people and decided that Boothbay would be a good place to return to.  Nothing special, not really very "Maineish", but a pleasant harbor with things to do. We contemplated taking a lighthouse tour, or even a sail to an island in Linekin Bay where they serve a traditional lobster bake (lobsters and clams cooked under seaweed).  But we will save that for another trip.  We returned to the boat for a steak dinner and a movie - Die Another Day with Halle Berry. (David was thrilled)

Boothbay Harbor Lighthouse.  Love the foot bridge.

Another Lyman Lapstreak.  Come to find out they had a Rendezvous in Boothbay Harbor.  That's why there were so many around all week!

We left Boothbay and headed for Mackeral Cove on Bailey's Island.  Got there, and decided there were too many lobster boats and no place to anchor.  The lobster boats tend to leave harbor early in the morning (5-6am) and rock Obsession as they go by.  Mostly we don't mind it, but in Boothbay we'd experienced a lot of rocking and rolling. So we moved on up the bay to Harpswell Harbor - totally secluded. Wide open, but very protected.  And no other boats there.

The storm in Harpswell Harbor.  It came fast.  And moved from north to west, to south then east.  All around us.

After the second rainstorm this rainbow appeared. It's faint, but the end was there - about 50 feet off our stern.  

We anchored in 25 feet of water, took showers on the stern, and the skies opened up.  Rain, thunder, lightning.  We got the side curtains up and the hatches closed just in time.  Then more sun, and about 2 hours later another rainstorm that ended with a rainbow.  The end was about 50 feet from our stern.  We took a dinghy ride after hamburgers on the grill for dinner, and noticed some beautiful homes right on the water with docks out into the water where they tie up their boats.  I've noticed a lot of small power boats.  I finally figured out that a Maine pastime is hopping aboard at any hour of the day, and heading to another harbor no more than an hour away for a quick lunch, afternoon snack or early dinner.  It's easy to do here.  The islands are so close together.  We are motoring a lot because of that, and the lack of wind, and the lobster pots that we have to maneuver around.  Sailing is temporarily on hold for those reasons.  But that's OK - we only burn 1 gallon of fuel an hour, and we usually travel at about 6-7 knots, so we get to enjoy the view.  In fact, when we get to an area "infested" with lobster pots we have to slow down just a bit.  We noticed that the lobster boats don't ever seem to go in reverse, they are always in forward gear, and if they need to backtrack to a pot, they go forward in circles.  Well, in Port Clyde we saw a lobster boat on the hard.  It had a cage built around it's HUGE prop.  That's so lines from other pots don't get caught in the prop.  But only if you're going forward.  Duh, great idea guys!  Anyway, Obsession has temporarily been turned into a trawler for our travels around Casco Bay.

Sunrise Harpswell Harbor - photo by David - what's he doing up that early?

The boat is named after his Grandmother - MIMI.  He came back so I could take his picture

I tried to catch as many boats facing different directions as  I could

We left Harpswell Harbor yesterday morning, sunny, warm, no wind, tide and current with us.  Casco Bay is littered with islands.  Navigating around them is not hard, but you really have to pay attention to the charts. Add to that the lobster pots, and the lobster boats that only go forward or in circles, we are not using auto pilot much either.  We decided to go to Freeport since the weather for last night and today is rain, rain and more rain.  We can get a taxi and spend the day at the outlets in Freeport.  This is a pretty harbor too.  The current/tide is very strong, and boats sit every which way on their moorings depending on the tide.

Lobster again for dinner.  After all, we've had Penobscot Bay lobsters, now we have to compare them to Casco Bay lobsters.  Just as good.  It's molting season for lobsters.  Most of them are soft shell, and therefore they are not stuffed with meat.  But they are still delicious.   We've sampled Penobscot Bay and Casco Bay steamers and they are delicious too.  I'm running out of butter.

Two less lobsters living in Casco Bay.

Plans for the upcoming week are: (subject to change) Diamond and/or Jewell Islands until the weekend, then Portland.  My sister, Mal, has offered to pick us up to do some provisioning.  That's good - we need RUM, and BUTTER and TOILET PAPER!

Yesterday David and I were talking about how lucky we are to have a beautiful, comfortable boat like Obsession to travel around in to these beautiful harbors.  We had just bought our lobsters for dinner, and a couple stopped us to tell us that if we wanted proof of how good they were, just look at their empty plates. (I didn't have the heart to tell them that they had left a lot of lobster behind - they didn't even eat the legs or the bodies).  We chatted a bit - they asked us to join them, and we said, not thanks that we were going to take the lobsters back to our boat and cook them.  Well, they were so interested in how we travel, where we go, etc.  She is a college professor from Georgia, and they come up to Freeport area every year to go to Wolf's Neck State Park to watch the ospreys.  They were an interesting couple, and as we were heading back to the boat they stopped in their car to offer us a lift to our boat.  I trust they were only kidding.  Maybe we should have offered THEM a lift to our boat so they could see what our lifestyle is like.  Have I said it before?  I love my boat, I love my life.

"All by ourselves" in Harpswell Harbor.  She is a pretty boat.

It was chilly last night.  Needed 2 blankets, and a long sleeve shirt.  Still chilly this morning, (the weatherman called it "gloomy")  But the idea of shopping and good weather the next few days is promising.

We are planning to be in Cuttyhunk August 20th for a cookout - so those of you with boats, or access to the ferry - come join us - cookout on the beach that night!

Friday Night Thank You Notes and More

I love to watch Jimmy Fallon, especially on Friday nights when he does his sketch "Friday Night Thank You Notes".  While trying to fall asleep last night I kept thinking of some things I am thankful for during the trip so far.  I don't pretend to be as funny as Jimmy Fallon, but I hope I've hit on some things I wanted to share with you but haven't so far, as well as a few repeats.  Here goes.

Typical island outcropping all along the coast line

Thank you for excellent weather so far this trip, but then again - a little more wind so we could sail more would be nice.

Thank you for the delicious lobster we've had so far this trip - but really guys, do you need to put your pots so close to each other?

Thank you Linda Bean for how you are improving Port Clyde.  We will return in the future to see more improvements.

Thank you for the panoramic views, the quaint and picturesque coves, the cute boutiques - is there a Walmart nearby? (just kidding)

Thank you for the lack of wi-fi and TV reception.  I'm beginning to go into iPhone withdrawal and David is watching all the DVDs/movies he loves over and over.

Coveside Marina - thank you for your dock for $40.00.  Just wish your entertainment last night was a bit more musically talented.

Thank you David for figuring out the problem with the engine overheating, for unclogging the forward head, raising and lowering the dinghy, and putting up with me!  You have the patience of a saint!

Thank you all my friends who are reading my blog, I hope you are enjoying it, and that I'm not boring you too much!

If you enlarge this picture of the chart you will find Tenants Harbor on the right hand side, and Port Clyde on the left hand side.  

Now back to describing Port Clyde and Christmas Cove.  We had been to Port Clyde 6 years ago on our 36.  It was very, very foggy, and we didn't appreciate the beautiful area, the many rock outcroppings, nor did we venture ashore.  There wasn't much here then.  Just a General Store not even as well stocked as Cuttyhunk's store.

General store to the right, notice the steep gangway because of  the tidal differences

So, this year, when we got ashore and found the store doubled in size and selling everything from soup to nuts (produce to liquor) fresh bread daily, and of course fresh fish and lobsters we were pleasantly surprised.  Not to mention a cute "Store Upstairs" with local artists' paintings, jewelry and knick-knacks for sale.  It was fun to browse.  There was an art gallery across the street - David commented that if this art sold for the $300.00 price tag then he should be an artist.  He felt he could paint better than some of the featured artists.

Just couldn't resist this picture. So colorful

Linda Bean has bought up a lot of property here, and it's my impression that Port Clyde will become a busy and inviting harbor in the near future.  She has some innovative ideas.  I have some for her too - like keep the cars away from the waterfront - it destroys the view.  Maybe a shuttle bus from a parking lot to the ferry dock would eliminate some of this.  By the way, the ferry runs to Monhegan Island delivering overnight guests, and giving puffin and lighthouse tours. It's on our to do list for a future trip.

The Dip Net outdoor restaurant served delicious steamers and Lobster Ale for an afternoon snack,

Lobsters in a bathtub?

 then a walk up to the Lobster Barn to buy 2 more lobsters for a second steamed lobster dinner.  They were cheaper here than in Tenants Harbor so we just had to have more.

Purchasing fuel was our morning chore on Friday, then a short motor to Christmas Cove.

The route we traveled out of Port Clyde to Christmas Cove was the same we traveled 6 years ago in the 36, but we actually could see what was around us this time.  I don't know how we maneuvered through the fog that year, the islands and the rocks are very close, and you have to maneuver around the lobster pots.  This time though, I steered our way through.  David said I did a good job.  But steering means I can't take pictures!

Christmas Cove is described in the Cruising Guide as a place like Cuttyhunk.  Well, I beg to differ.  It was busy, yes, but not as remote or Caribbean feeling as Cuttyhunk since there are no sandy beaches.  We ended up dockside at the Coveside Marina/Restaurant.  We watched many small power boats overflowing with family members come and go - they would tie up at the dock, have a late lunch or early dinner, then head back out.  Most of the boats were vintage - like the Lyman I took a picture of.

This one's for you Dad.  A Vintage Lyman.  And very well take care of.  Heard someone say that after Labor Day Weekend this boat is stored in a HEATED garage until Memorial Day.

Before the day was out 2 more boats tied up at the dock to spend the night.  We met a young couple aboard LUNE, their 1980 C&C 36, watched a family with 3 young boys - all under the age of 8 come in and pick up a mooring.  The 4 or 5 year old snagged it with the pick-up stick.  He was so proud of himself he jumped up and down on the deck singing, "I did it, I did it!" Reminded me an awful lot of Baleigh.  His younger brother watched carefully.  I'm sure today he'll be the one picking up the mooring - just like Payton!  I offered wedding arrangements!  Their father says they're available!

There was entertainment at the restaurant at 8:00pm so after a REAL shower we decided to join the crowd at the bar.  Dan Stevens, you are not our cup of tea!  I'm not sure if he sang country, or rock, or what, but not much of what he played/sang seemed to have a tune, or resembled anything I had ever heard before.  We didn't stay long.

Obsession dockside at Coveside Marina/Restaurant

Saturday we left early - about 9:00am for Boothbay Harbor.  Some serious retail therapy is in order for the day.  The weather isn't supposed to be good on Sunday - rain and thunderstorms.  We might stay here 2 nights.

"I promise I won't ask you to do another overnight sail, honey" (Until next year)

Eventful at best, a little bit stressful, but in the end another adventure and a test of our sailing ability, of David's perseverence, and the strength of our marriage. An overnight sail from Onset, MA to Tenants Harbor, ME.

Onset Sunset

A boat just like Island Girl - traveling from Boston to Cuttyhunk then to Dutch Harbor

We dropped the mooring in Onset about 7am Tuesday morning, called our friend Alice (she promised to see us off through the canal just after the railroad bridge) and headed out to the canal.  There is no set schedule for the railroad bridge closing - "whenever", and lo and behold just as we turned east into the canal, we heard the announcement over the vhf radio.  We circled around just west of the Mass Maritime Academy for about 20 minutes to 1/2 hour - and heard/watched two trains pass over the bridge.

Mass Maritime Academy

Train bridge down

Train bridge up and we can now go through

 Watch the video of it going up. The whole thing drops to almost water level for the train/s to pass over the canal.  I heard tell it's the "garbage train" from the Cape (lol). (ed. note - video takes too long to download - if you're on fb you can find it on my wall.)

No traffic, a strong current and we were through the canal in less than an hour traveling at about 10-11 knots all the way through.  I jotted down a few things I noticed - beautiful houses with lots of windows facing the canal along the coast, people fishing, people jogging, biking and roller blading along the bike path, the trailer/camping grounds.  No other traffic other than a boat named SHEILA headed for Portland that really rushed through ahead of us.

Early morning sun on the water just as we were leaving Onset

Alice? Are you there?  Yes, we see you!

Sheila - headed for Portland - they were really in a rush!

On the other side, not much wind, so we set a course for Monhegan Island (39 degrees) and settled back to enjoy the trip.  Eventually the wind picked up and we were able to sail for about 2 hours until it died again.  Mid afternoon I spotted a whale, and ran all over the boat trying to take pictures, managing to only catch glimpses of it with the camera.  But I did see it come up out of the water at least twice.

Exiting the canal

the WHALE - you'll have to look hard to see  it, but it's there.

Late afternoon we noticed the clouds building ahead of us moving SE from Cape Ann (Gloucester).  We were still sailing at that point - the winds started to freshen to more than 20 knots, and we decided rather than tear a sail in a thunderstorm squall we would rather roll in the jib and drop the main.  We altered course about 40 degrees to the west and managed to avoid the storm other than getting some wind (about 20-25 knots) and some rain.

Because we altered course the storm passed to the east of us.  

And of course - a rainbow - and we saw both ends! 

 We watched the lightning and heard the thunder for a good hour.  No more sailing for a couple of more hours.  We munched on veggies and dip, and took some short catnaps, always listening for thunder and watching the sky for dark clouds and lightning.

The engine began to overheat so we pulled out the jenny, altered course for Gloucester (26 miles away) as David proceeded to go down to the engine room and remove a handful of seaweed from the engine intake.  Phew - sigh of relief - that's all it was.  Engine back on, return to course to Monhegan Island, roll in the jib.  30 minutes later - engine over heat.  David does the same thing, but there's no sense in pulling out the jib, he'll just remove some more seaweed.  Yep - that's what he did, and again back on our way.  45 minutes later - the gauge starts climbing over 180 degrees.  Same drill - this time David says he feels something hard is blocking the intake - like a piece of wood or something.  And he is only able to dislodge it, not remove it.  He has solved the problem, but only for another hour or so, and again I hold my breath as he proceeds to close the intake valve, and let the water drain into the bilge.  He removes the strainer and lo and behold, yes - a piece of wood.  He has to break it into pieces to remove it, hoping he has it all, puts everything back, and YESS! we are on our way again.

This is what caused all the problems! 

 No problems for the rest of the night.  Thank goodness!  as we had to motor all night since the wind was on our nose, and very light.

 Our two hour watches were spent studying the temperature gauge and praying that it didn't go over 180 degrees.  During that time we dodged two more thunder and lightning storms - they seemed to be all around us, but directly above us I could see bright stars.  The Big Dipper never looked so big and bright, the Milky Way more milky and mysterious.  Weird.  It was cold too.  I had three shirts on (one with a hood) and wrapped myself in a comforter.  David had two coats on and wrapped himself in a blanket. We were also completely enclosed.  Well, what do you expect - we're on our way to Maine!

As dawn approached we made the decision to go to Tenants Harbor since they have fuel.  The fog rolled in - THICK, and with out radar doing loop-de-loops we couldn't count on it to tell us EXACTLY where another vessel is, just that it's somewhere near us, either in front, or behind, and to the left or the right.  Frustrating, but we managed to figure it out.  The pots weren't as abundant as we remembered, but still, it required some maneuvering on David's part.  He is a wonder at the helm.

 Tenants Harbor - as quaint and picturesque as any Maine port.  Lots of lobster boats - they don't stink! They are anchored all around us.  They store the bait in storage bins in the water.  The bins float just below the surface and are tied to the stern of the boats or to the mooring.  The boats are colorful, with their brightly painted lobster buoys.  Some lobstermen also have a floating dock tied to a mooring near their boat where they store more pots and gear.  One enterprising lobsterman has even built a lean-to on the float.

The lobstermen and women work very hard.  There is a woman on board this boat.

It is low tide - notice the long dock and how high above the water it is now.

After our nap we had our obligatory lobster salad roll.  YUMMM.  A buttered, grillled hotdog bun stuffed (and I mean stuffed) with lobster meat dressed with the right amount of mayo. A tour around the harbor in the dink, then back to the boat to enjoy a peaceful, relaxing evening (in a long sleeve shirt) aboard our boat and our home, OBSESSION.

These guys were swimming in Penobscot Bay this morning - never suspecting they'd  be our dinner tonite.

Dinner - well what do you expect?  Lobster and corn on the cob.  Enjoyed with a glass (or two) of wine.With sliced strawberries, peaches and blueberries (of course).

I love our boat, I love my husband, I love my life.  Tomorrow Port Clyde.

Transiting the Cape Cod Canal

ps - moorings cost only $25.00 here.

pss - just as I'm finishing this David spotted what he thought was a seal or a porpoise just off our stern.  Hope I can get a picture of him later.  If I was Christen I would name it - along with the ladybug

I found on the bow when we were entering the canal, the biting flies that attack our ankles

We are prepared for you FLIES!

 when we're on the helm,  the whale I saw in Massachusetts Bay, the dolphins we spotted entering Tenants Harbor,and the small duck I watched trying to fly this afternoon.  Oh and don't forget the mosquitoes that come out every night, buzz in our ears and leave behind bothersome itches!  Any thoughts as to who of our friends/relatives are what?

Pictures for last Blog

JAMIKON - Jane and Mike O'Neil.  I wonder how they  got that name?

Our neighbors - two people slept aboard that boat last night.  Where? and how?

Cookout Cove

Leaving Cuttyhunk

Barge heading west just exiting the canal

Ze plane!  Ze plane!

Papa (and Mimi) hope to be able to do this with Baleigh and Payton next summer?

Another picture of the sunset from the campfire.

How can you not love a place as serene and beautiful as this?

Easy to get led astray - especially when it's dark.