Homeward Bound

Monday May 24

We left Long Island this morning at 7 a.m. It was cool and slight rain, but the forecast for Block Island was good, so we thought we'd take the chance. It turned out fine. We got to Block Island, but almost everything is still closed until Memorial Day. We fueled up, had lunch and went on to 'Martha's Vineyard. It took us 5 1/2 hours to get to Block Island and another 2 hours to get to Martha's Vineyard. There are only 3 boats at the dock. It is a beautiful day and my favorite place, the Lookout Tavern, was open so we're happy. I used to think a 4 hour boat ride was long, now I think nothing about going that distance.

This has been a fantastic trip. I'm really sorry that it's coming to an end. We'll be back in Boston tomorrow. Then it's time to plan the next one!

new york city

Sunday, May 23 8:49 a.m.

We left Cape May yesterday at 7:15 a.m. The forecast was for some wind with 2 foot seas, and increasing in the afternoon, so I was a little concerned about a rough ride because we had to go outside. Fortunately, the ride was pretty smooth. There were hundreds of fishing boats out all day all the way up the coast. We saw dolphins.

We stopped in Brielle, NJ for fuel. This seems to be a nice place, easy access to the atlantic. From there we went straight into the East River and all the way to the end to City Island, which is a part of the Bronx, out on the end of the river, just before Long Island Sound. We're at Minneford Yacht Club, very large boat yard, nice place. We walked over to City Island Yacht Club and had a drink there. The bartender recommended a restaurant, the Black Whale, which was very good. It was a nice evening, so we sat outside. A couple we met there recommended a coffee house with an open mike night, so we went there for coffee and dessert. It was a very enjoyable evening. This area is out of the way and nice. We thought about going into Manhattan, but the cab fare would be about $40. and the subway had too many changes.

It is foggy this morning, so we are waiting for it to lift and then we'll try to get to Bridgeport for fuel, and maybe Block Island today or tomorrow.

cape may

Friday, May 21, 2010

We left St. Michaels, Maryland at 8:15 am and arrived at Cape May at 4:30 pm. It was a great ride, perfectly calm seas.

We had a wonderful time in St. Michaels, did a pub crawl down the main street, Talbot Ave. and met some fun people. Mike Quick, a Coast Guard Auxillary, did an inspection for us.

I wish we had more time in Cape May, it has so much to offer, but the weather is good for tomorrow, so we will probably head up the atlantic coast to northern New Jersey/New York.

st. Michaels, Maryland

WWednesday, may 19, 2010

We had an interesting day yesterday at Point Lookout Marina, which is located on the St. Mary's River. The weather was rainy and windy, so we rented a car for the day. Our first stop was the Pawtuxet Naval Air Station Museum. It was staffed by retired navy test pilots. I knew David would enjoy it, but I was surprised by how much I enjoyed it. Those test pilots are brave men!

Later we toured the Civil War Confederate prison camp and memorial, very worth while seeing. The only restaurant near us was a 15 minute walk away, and it was well worth the walk, even in the rain. The owner, Tom Courtney is a Vietnam Vet, so he and David got along well. He is a waterman, and fishes daily for the restaurant. His wife is the chef. For a small marina, we had a great experience.

Today we traveled to the eastern shore of the Chesapeake to St. Michaels. This is a very pretty marina, about 5 miles down the Miles River. Nice town here. We'll be here for two nights. Right now we're here enjoying all the great music Ann and Bobby put on our I Pod. We can tell we're getting back up north, because the marinas are more expensive.

the midatlantic states

Monday, May 17

We left Washington at 5:55. The weather forecast was for slight winds in the early morning, with increasing winds and small craft advisory for the lower Potomac starting at noon. For the first 3 1/2 hours, the river was very calm. After that the winds increased and by the time we reached our destination, Point Lookout Marina in Maryland, it was very rough. The forecast is not good for the next day or two. The people here are friendly, but there is not much to do within walking distance. Not sure what we'll do tomorrow. We hope our next stop will be St. Michaels, which is about 4 hours from here on the eastern shore of the Chesapeake. There are some interesting things here, so if we have to stay for a few days, we'll rent a car.

mt. vernon

We left Colonial Beach today, and while passing Mt. Vernon, I noticed a small cuppola and dock. My guide book said that dock space was sometimes available, so I called and we were told to come on in! Dave, the dockmaster, said the normal fee was $2.00 a foot, but he was disorganized and wouldn't charge us anything! Visiting Mt. Vernon this way was spectacular. We walked up the hill to the home, the grounds cover 8,000 acres. They were incredibly beautiful. The manor itself was not as magnificent as you might expect, but it was wonderfully restored. The tour guides were very interesting. This is not a government site, it is privately owned and maintained.

Lots of information. By the way, George Washington did not have wooden dentures

George and Martha did not have any children together, but they did raise her children from her first marriage. We had learned at Yorktown that only 12 american soldiers were killed in that battle. One of them was George's stepson. George and Martha then raised their grandchildren.

The weather today is perfect and this event has been the highlight of the trip. We are now in D.C. at the capitol yacht club. Nice place, friendly people. right down town. Dave and I have seen the sights in D.C. before so we are just relaxing for 2 nights.

the potomac

may 14, 2010

We left Yorktown today at 7:30 am. We had a great time there, toured the battlefields and then went to virginia beach for the day. Today is hot and sunny. Our ride on the Chesapeake was a little rough, but the Potomac is beautiful. We are at Colonial Beach Yacht Club, about 40 miles from D.C. Very pretty town, near the birthplace of George Washinton. Thomas Edison also had a summer place here. It is now a b&b.

I've seen some great birds on the trip. Today we saw blue heron. All the osprey nests are filled, and sometimes we see baby birds. I've also seen bluebirds, bobwhite, swallows, cardinals, scarlet tangiers, and grosbeake.

We are planning to be in DC tomorrow at the Capitol Yacht Club.

We'll be able to get to Mt. Vernon then. Life is good!