Voyage 2013-2014: Chapter 3

20 May 2014, On to Block Island, 41 11.586 N/ 071 34.782 W

We left Port Washington early and had a leisurely motorsail (mostly motor) to Oyster Bay. It was a 25 nm trek so we arrived to a mass of racing boats everywhere as it was Saturday. The anchorage was smaller than ever! Lots of oyster stakes and we were not sure what they meant. The next day, we headed for Port Jeff where we stayed on a mooring at Setauket Yacht Club. Nice folks, nice facility, but the mooring pennant had a full winter of weed on it. Yuck!

Port Jefferson is a bit like a beach town where most of the town caters to weekend tourists. This Sunday must be bike week as the streets were full of Harleys. The streets were alive with noise, laughter, and horns honking. It is a very friendly doggie town where there were several booths offering rescue dogs for adoption. Nice place but a little too crowded for us.

Yesterday, we headed for Fishers Island for a overnight stop. The wind was blowing moderately out of the NW so we decided to anchor on the lee of Ram Island. Good protection and holding made for a perfect place for sundowners. Today, we pulled anchor and headed for Block Island. Wind was light of the northwest with nearly flat seas. Motor on again. We arrived at the Block Island anchorage around 1230 where nobody was 'home'. Nothing was open; the mooring balls were empty, and one other boat at anchor. Another perfect evening for sundowners. The next morning, we left early for a good anchorage in Newport.

29 May 2014, Newport and Bristol, 41 28.786 N/ 071 19.452 W

We arrived in Newport a week ago excited that we finally arrived here by boat. We had visited here several times by car but the sea view is much nicer. As it is still early season, anchorage space was plentiful. The harbor master came by to chat and give us some informative material about the city and the anchorage. Nice guy! We were lazy, so we used the water taxi service instead of inflating our dinghy. They were were quite accommodating as this was early season. Later, we found them less friendly during season.

It was fun to watch the young children practice their dinghy sailing. They sailed all around the harbor practicing their tacks and jibes. Most afternoons they would be out there. Newport is cruiser friendly with several facilities for dinghy tie-ups, laundry, and showers. Our favorite is Seamen's Church Institute where we have visited many times by car. We even bought a hat there. Of course we went to the Thai restaurant for dinner one night and Ann bought the requisite number of bags and shoes.

Our next stop was Bristol where we would spend a week on a mooring. What a delightful town. It was like our hometowns where we grew up. Nothing overly commercial like we found in Newport; people were friendly - not so much in Newport. A very large contrast. Mike, from Bristol Marine, was our water chauffeur for most of our stay there. Couldn't ask for a nicer place. The bus service that supports Newport also covers Bristol so we can go back and forth without the boat. Not bad!