Back through the East River

Wednesday 9/5

The alarm wasn't too heinous when it went off at 5:15 this morning. We were off the morning at City Island half an hour later with a fair tide promised through NYC and out the Hudson. 

Everything went well, and despite a lot of later summer haze, we had good morning light illuminating the sights. It was noticably busier with more ferries and a couple big ships, as compared to our first transit, which began after the morning rush hour.

A peaceful morning though the hatchboatds

Thimble Islands

Sunday 9/2

This is a popular tourist destination that I'd never visited before.  It's the nearest thing to the Maine coast that you're likely to find in southern New England, with about a dozen small, rocky islands in a small archipelago.  Most islands have a few houses and a couple have several houses crammed together ranging from tiny guest houses to large three story works of art.

It's definitely a spot rich with character, but it was pretty busy on a holiday weekend.  Only a handful of sailboats spent the night, including Elf.  We were unpleasantly surprised at how much the boat rocked when the tidal current held the boat parallel to the small winds-blown waves.  Despite moving to a more sheltered spot after dark, it was a fitful night of sleep.

Recommendations: try to visit during a weekday and or outside of the peak summer tourists months, and either choose your anchorage carefully or set bow and stern anchors to suit the wave conditions. Other options include commercial sight seeing tires or guided kayak tours. It's definitely worth a visit if you're passing through.

It’s no Ann’s Dari-creme

But it’s still good. This is a clam shack that also serves foot long hotdogs. This is Steve’s childhood indulgence where Ann’s is mine. We debate from time to time who’s better.  Just so you know it’s Ann’s. 

Harbor of Refuse, aka Point Judith

Was glad to pull into the Harbor of Refuge (Steve calls it the Harbor of refuse.). The 2 to 4 ft seas were a bit overwhelming for me I could only helm for about an hour during a “calm” period. The rest of the time I kept Steve fed and watered as he dealt with the constant tiller yanking. 

Today was much better with only 1 to 3 foot rollers and slightly lighter wind so I was able to do a whole shift at the helm. We made it to New London. 

Fred's Shanty

Saturday 9/1

While we were in the neighborhood, it was important to stop at the Shanty in New London.  Dad took us here innumerable times after our day sails growing up, and it was always a treat. Good memories, and the same classic foot-long dogs.  Famous since 1972--and I remember that sign back from about about 1978.

Point Judith

Friday 8/31

It was a bumpy downhill ride from S. Dartmouth to the Harbor of Refuge at Point Judith. This huge harbor, behind 3 miles of breakwater, was built in the early 1900's by the Army Corps of Engineers for ships traveling between NY and Boston to ride out bad weather.  It was a welcome calm after 32 miles of 15-25 kt winds, where we slept under the gaze of the lighthouse. Unfortunately there is enough small boat traffic in the early morning hours to set up some nasty side-to-side rolling that interrupted our sleep.