Southward Bound

After closing up the cottage for the winter, we officially began our journey south on September 3rd, a sunny and breezy morning.  The wind was perfect and we sailed to Tenants Harbor for the night. Along the way via Fox Island Thoroughfare and Muscle Ridge Channel, we saw many interesting homes and mostly all had American flags flying.  Let freedom ring!

The next morning we motored to Bailey Island, as the 10-12 kt wind was on our nose. We were able to "hoist the mainsail" (sounds like the Beach Boys, eh?) when we turned to the east toward Wills Gut, between Bailey and Orrs Island.  Spent the night at anchor there and grilled some steaks off the stern.

It was sunny and calm the next morning.  We decided to head to Kennebunkport to take a slip at the Kennebunkport Marina for water and to refuel.  While exploring by dinghy, we discovered an interesting white duck who looked like he had an afro! The photo isn't clear enough, but I think you'll get the idea... Scoped out the town to see if there was a dinghy dock to tie up at while we shopped, to no avail. The next day we walked from the boat into town and back, not a long hike but we did it twice; once for laundry and once for provisioning. We need the exercise anyway!

We had a fabulous dinner at Arundel Wharf in Kennebunkport - I had salmon with a cucumber dill sauce. (the best EVER!) I only make mention of this so I can repeat the meal again the next time we are there!

September 6, 2014

Our granddaughter Brooke's 1st Birthday! She loves her cheerios and is contemplating keeping the one that's stuck on her shirt for later... Meanwhile, we're heading to Cape Ann tomorrow, Sept. 7th.

Slipped the dock lines in Kennebunkport at 7:20 am and motored with tail winds until we got around Cape Ann. Then we had a pleasant sail all the way to Marblehead.

After rocking & rolling on a CYC mooring in the mouth of the harbor, we awoke to a beautiful sunrise and slipped the mooring at 7:30.

We sailed to the Cape Cod Canal where it was considerably less choppy and much warmer.  We reached Phinney's Cove at 3:30 and spent a very peaceful night there.  Beautiful anchorage. The setting sun lit up the cove!

The next morning (Sept. 9) we enjoyed a pleasant sail to Wickford where we had reserved a slip at the Wickford Marina for the evening. What a great place! Ryan, the dock hand was one of the very best.  After assisting with dock lines, he offered to drive us to the grocery store and back, which we readily accepted.  We decided to walk around town before heading out the next day. The cruising guide was right. "Wickford is one of the most charming cruising destinations on Narragansett Bay. Wickford's Main Street has one of the best and least pretentious collections of 18th-century and early 19th-century buildings anywhere. There is nothing ersatz or 'restored' about these structures; they are just old, lived in and well-maintained." It lived up to it's write-up. Also, an interesting note is that this is the town where The Witches of Eastwick was filmed.

We fueled up the next morning at the Wickford shipyard and had an easy sail down the river and around Port Judith to East Harbor on Fishers Island where we spent the night. The next day we sailed to Guilford, CT where we were to meet up for dinner with my nephew, sister and mom.  We took a slip at the Guilford Yacht Club and met at the Guilford Mooring for dinner.  What a fun get-together! We had so much fun in fact, that I forgot to take a group photo!  

Come sail with us for a while!

The next morning was clear and considerably cooler. Our next stop would be Huntington Harbor in Long Island where my son Brian moved to recently from Austin, TX. He has taken a position at Stony Brook University as Writer, Project Manager in the Office of External Relations.

We arrived at the West Shore Marina at 4:30, showered up and had a great meal at Prime with Brian and Ama.  The next day (Happy Birthday Jeff!) we spent catching up and then had a wonderful home cooked meal at their house.  Ama made a special birthday cake for Jeff. Thanks guys!

On Monday morning we all went for a sail around Huntington Harbor and Oyster Bay. What a beautiful day! After a few hours we returned Brian and Ama to the dock and headed out to anchor in Oyster Bay for the evening.  They're ready to come meet us again soon!

Anchored in Oyster Bay was a relaxing end to the day.  From here we'll be heading to Port Washington and spend a couple of days there. Our friends Jack and Carol (we saw them in Maine) will be sailing in tomorrow and we plan on spending some traveling time together through NYC.  

Be sure to catch the next update.  It's sure to have some interesting photos!

Until then..... /) /) /) /)

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