DoryWoman Rowing

09/08/2026

Part 2 of my birthday in Monson involved a healthy dose of sauna!

The first was in the morning, an invite from Rick of Oak Grove Canvas Tents where Leo and I stayed. It was a misty drizzly morning and it was sooo delicious to heat up in Rick’s wonderful sauna and then step outside to cool off in the rain. This was my first Finnish-American sauna and my first sauna of 57! Rick converted the sauna from an old building that stored snowmobiles! After my sauna with Rick, I went for a languorous swim in Lake Hebron, amongst the fog and loons.

Part of the point of this whole birthday trip was to go Jeneve Parrish and so in the afternoon, Leo and I did that! This is a beautiful sauna set amongst the trees on the shores of the lake. The sauna was quite hot (I like it that way) and it felt amaaazing to swim in the clear velvety water in between heat-ups.

Two saunas in one day! I felt like I was back in Finland! And to share this with my son, who loved the sauna as well!

Why all the saunas in Monson? Well, there are many Finns there! Historically, Monson was the site of slate mining and Finns were an integral part of the workforce. And with them, they brought their traditions, including sauna.

I feel like I hit the sauna jackpot in Monson and hope to return!

09/06/2026

What I thought was going be a bust morning yesterday turned out to be a boom!

My morning row was rescheduled and I wasn’t expecting to be on the water. But then I got word that the humpback whale was back and there was no way I was going to miss it!

I invited my friend Glenn to join me, who has never seen the whale before. Of course there’s never a guarantee. I’ve been out there multiple times when I was told the whale was there and didn’t see it.

But yesterday…as you can see the whale was most certainly there!

The humpback made several rounds around the area between the mooring field and the monument, moving west to east and back again, feeding on the massive amount of pogies that are still here in Belfast Bay. Ospreys were also diving regularly into the water, we saw a porpoise and they were a number of seals. It was, in fact quite windy with some good waves so it’s it can be harder to see wildlife.

What you don’t see in this video was a VERY close encounter with the whale. This is just before the clip where you see the fluke. We were cutting over from the east side to the west side and suddenly the whale surfaced within 12-15 ft of the boat. It rolled on its side and brought up its fluke! It was a thrilling moment, not captured in video, but forever emblazoned in my mind.

It’s important to note that though we were actively watching the whale, we were keeping a distance from it (hence all that zooming in). Very important to do that, especially motorized craft. The whale came to us. After that interaction, the whale swam off back towards the harbor and showed its fluke again!

The whale was actually INSIDE the mooring field, north of nun 4, near several sailboats. This is the first time I’ve seen the whale go into the harbor.

Another amazing adventure in Belfast Bay. I feel so lucky to have seen the whale again and to have shared the experience with a good friend 🐋 💙🙏

A couple of the clips and the cover photo captured by Glenn Montgomery

09/04/2026

Full Sturgeon Moon Row

And a special birthday adventure for the 14-year old on board!

Got the whole family on the oars rowing under the light of this late August moon, on this night of the lunar eclipse (much later in the evening).

September’s Full Harvest Moon Row on September 25 is OPEN! Book soon! 🌕🌽

09/03/2026

BIG NEWS FOR THE START OF SEPTEMBER!

https://www.instagram.com/reel/DcwSx2mJjci/?utm_source=ig_web_copy_link&igsi=MzRlODBiNWFlZA==

08/31/2026

Sunset, oysters and the moon

https://www.instagram.com/reel/DcrNNuiJXKW/?utm_source=ig_web_copy_link&igsi=MzRlODBiNWFlZA==

08/25/2026

I like an adventure on my birthday!

On Saturday, I hiked up Borestone Mt with my favorite mountain goat, my son Leo Horchler

Leo and I have been hiking together since he was two! This might’ve been one of our most adventuresome and memorable hikes yet.

Borestone is part of Maine Audubon and is quite steep & rocky! We kept a steady pace and were treated to jaw-dropping panoramic views at the summit.

And this was just the start of our weekend in Monson!

An invigorating kick-off to 57! Grateful to have shared this experience with Leo and add another mountain to the books!

#57

08/20/2026

Last Saturday I tried something new.

I paddled a coracle!

Known as a “basket boat,” these were used by English and Irish fisherman. They strapped the lightweight wood and canvas boat onto their back, made their way down to the water and went fishing! In theory, I guess they could even carry the fish back up in the boat!

It took me a minute to figure this out. It was like paddling in a teacup!

Trying out different boats is a big part of the reason I go to the Blue Hill Maritime Festival, hosted by the Traditional Small Craft Association (TSCA).

And seeing old friends. And listening to seafaring music. Loved Rebel Daughter And eating popsicles. All against the backdrop of Blue Hill harbor with a beautiful view of Blue Hill Mt from the water.

I took the sliding seat Savo out for a whirl, which was like being in a Porsche, however, not nearly as stable as my trusty dory! Same goes for the coracle. I almost ended it up in the drink as I was getting on board!

The second to the last photo is of on the water photographer extraordinaire Michael Percy. Wherever there’s a fun event with people messing around with boats, he’s there! I’m always appreciative of his photos!

08/16/2026

Here's that video I mentioned in my last post, "The First Season" commemorating my launch of DoryWoman Rowing in August of 2021!

DoryWoman Rowing launched in August of 2021

08/15/2026

5 years ago I took a leap.

On August 15, 2021, I launched DoryWoman Rowing.

My launch coincided with the appearance of the Joy Duck in Belfast harbor. This huge rubber ducky was a regular visitor to Belfast (along with a few of her friends) for the next two years.

An auspicious start? I’ve often said I’ve felt intrinsically tied to joy.

There’s been plenty of that in my boat. And challenges too. I’m one dorywoman with one boat. I row year-round. Through all four seasons and all kinds of weather. It’s a lot to carry and I’m not just talking about oars and my gear bag! Its a lot of responsibility.

And you know what? There’s no other place I’d rather be (OK, except maybe the sauna. After a row 🔥).

At the end of 2021, I made a video to commemorate that first season. You can watch it via the link in my bio. It’s kind of long (11 min) but I think it really captures the spirit and the range of different people that row with me. I hope you watch it!

THANK YOU to all of YOU who have helped me build one of the most unique small businesses out there these past 5 years! I am ever grateful for your support!

I’m proud of what I’ve created and feel very fortunate to have turned my passion into my profession ♥️🌊🌕🐋

Photo of me jumping off my boat by Deborah Palmer
Photo and video in the sparkly water by Tanya Yolanda

#5

08/13/2026

Eclipse Row!

A bite out of the sun, eclipse seal and a swim!
New Moon 🌑

Couldn’t be more fun to share these cosmic happenings, especially with this crew!