While on a quick trip home, Mike and Angie took advantage of being back in St. Louis to reconnect with Paul Weiss, Mike’s former swim coach and now friend. Now CEO of the Oasis Institute, a non-profit dedicated to lifelong learning, health, and volunteering for older adults, Paul took time out of his busy schedule to meet us for dinner.

Paul and his rescue puppy Ellie. Photo courtesy of Paul Weiss

After hearing about our plans to sail north, he introduced us to a couple of his other friends who happen to be spending the summer in Maine, Bryan and Jess. They of course offered to meet us if we ended up near Portland, likely never expecting that we would actually take them up on it.

Our soon to be new friends on their way to meet Madrone at anchor in Portland, ME. Photo courtesy of Jess Wittebort

But as soon as we dropped anchor, contact them we did. They promptly zipped out in their boat with their 3 kids, together with yet another set of Paul’s friends who also happened to be in town at the time, Greg and Sara, and their 2 kids.

Mike and Angie saying hi and welcoming everyone onboard. Photo courtesy of Jess Wittebort
The younger kids found a good spot on Madrone’s bow to play some games. Photo courtesy of Jess Wittebort
Olive, Jess and Bryan’s eldest daughter, took advantage of the height of Madrone’s bow to launch into the water for a swim. Photo courtesy of Jess Wittebort
New friends!

We enjoyed a fantastic dinner together with Bryan and Jess that night in Portland, and the following day they swung by to take us out for an afternoon on their boat. With a pair of 225hp outboards behind their Grady White 273, we enjoyed a boating experience completely different from Madrone: “That island’s only 20nm away? We’ll be there in half an hour.”

The next day Jess and Bryan took everyone on their Grady White all around southern Casco Bay. A great time was had by all, including Floxie their adorable French Bulldog. Photo courtesy of Jess Wittebort
Unloading for some beach time. Photo courtesy of Jess Wittebort
The kids were stoked to be at the beach. Photo courtesy of Jess Wittebort
Esme swimming a frosty beverage to shore for her mom. Photo courtesy of Jess Wittebort
Olive properly coiling the lines to make them ship shape

Sometimes with folks you’ve just met, you get the feeling that you’ve known them for a long time. And that’s the way it was with these guys – we hope we get to see them again.

Looking for seals hauled out on the rocks at low tide. Photo courtesy of Jess Wittebort
Mike, Bryan and Greg looking good in Maine
Heading back to Portland after a lovely day on the water