Pipe Dreams is fueled and ready. All necessities are stowed away, so let’s get this adventure underway.
First stop on the journey to Nova Scotia is a 2 hour jaunt to Swan’s Island, one of the 15 or so Maine islands that is inhabited year round.
As you might guess from the lobster boats anchored in the harbor, most residents earn a living fishing, and they are protective of their space both on the water and the shore. 
The island is also a great escape for those wishing to experience a more tranquil existence.
The reason for our going there is to attend the very quirky Sweet Chariot Music Festival that for 26 years has brought together a potpourri of musicians from the East and West Coasts who enjoy getting together to casually entertain an enthusiastic audience.
Hours before the show, the performers cruise the harbor serenading all of us on our boats with sea chanteys.
A flotilla of small craft ranging from kayaks to dinghies to motor boats accompany them. I have to say this is one of those events that is totally a Maine thing, and there is such absolute joy in that!
The performance is in a very old building slightly more than a mile trek from the harbor, so we get a little exercise thrown in.
Along the way, enterprising youngsters sell lemonade and cookies, and they have lots of eager customers who are huffing and puffing up the hill.
The concert appears to be something of an opportunity for socializing as the crowd gathers early to gossip and greet friends.
Inside, it is crowded, and the chairs are hard, I mean really hard, but once the show begins all anyone focuses on is having a good time.
There’s more to the Swan’s Island story than I am telling. That has a lot to do with me trying to pull in a mooring ball that had about 500 pounds of kelp on it without allowing the line to touch the varnish on the trim. The hubby just didn’t get that that was an impossible feat, so use your imagination to fill in the blanks. It may be a very good thing that nobody was photoing that part of the experience because it was a comedy of errors. There’s likely more to come!
i so appreciate your visit and the comments you leave behind
Lulu's Musings 
So very Maine. As to the line, I know how good you are at handling them so it must have been a real mess for you to have trouble with it.
Oh Lulu, these pictures are just so scenic. Any of them could be on a postcard. This looks like so much fun. I’ve had situations with my husband just like that. A photo might be ok, as long as there is no sound on it! laurie
How right you are about the sound!!
What a fun adventure and experience. I would not make a great mooring companion…at all. I think I’d get thrown overboard!
It was close to me going over!!!
What one great summer adventure, Linda – and we were there with you. Those photos are capture it all.
Such a unique and fun experience… Still have a little bit of summer left to keep enjoying…
Such a lovely festival and island. Colourful language – that’s what my husband would call it!
What a great trip, you have me very anxious for my trip to Maine. Nova Scotia would be a great addition.
🙂 Safe Journey
How I love the traditions of Maine…and LOVE that sign!…I am looking forward to living vicariously through you on your wonderful journey to Nova Scotia…Have fun and safe travels!!!
How lovely! The pictures and the stories…makes me feel like I’m there. Keep writing! (We can experience it vicariously through you.)
I must admit that you started my heart by using the words “underway.” My daughter is in the Coast Guard and those are the words they use to describe when they go out on a mission. I thought you might be a Coast Guard mom too! hee hee….enjoy.
Marie
Oh Lulu you make me so homesick! Maine the way life should be and this is exactly it. Love your photograph of Swan’s Island – perfect. But the natural scenes as we go to the concert with you are the best.
How much fun! I would feel like a fish out of water for sure~it is fascinating to see how different your coastal life style is in Maine compared to the Gulf coast, from everything to the boats to the way the fishermen look, to the music and festivities~ I am looking forward to exploring the waters with you on your trip, I love the singing sailors!
Jenna
Yes, Jenna, it is different in a most wonderful way.
Oh what a fun time was had by all…thanks for sharing.
Serenading sailors, what fun Linda! I so want to visit Maine, especially after you share photos, so picturesque and I can feel myself relaxing with the slower pace and tranquil scenery. Looking forward to your boating adventure 🙂
what fun & i love nova scotia~
Lemonade stands will reign forever. But yikes, they’re getting 75 cents for a glass? Must be reflective of NE costs of living. 🙂 Enjoyable post. And safe travels!
The next stand was 25 cents, a better deal, but the first stand was raising money to maintain the lighthouse thus the higher price.
This TRULY is the way summers were meant to be spent! it’s like something out of a National Geographic or Reader’s Digest….or life with the Kennedy clan!!! 🙂 It’s wonderful! These are the kinds of experiences that most of us can only dream of!
I think it’s so neat that the children set up their stands and make a little money. That’s a good experience for them!!
Party on! There’s still a lot of life left in summer’s lungs!!!