Before I describe the pictures...a little disclaimer. As many of you know, Deb takes a lot of pictures. A LOT of pictures. When I do these logs, I sort through all the pictures to see which ones "I" think will help support the log I have written. Sometimes this can be difficult, because there are so many to chose from. Anyway...because it has taken me a few days to catch up on the log, the amount of pictures has become unmanageable. So I thought we would just put them out on the web (with a link to this page) and folks could go see them, if they want. That did not happen. So, this morning when I went to try to sort through all the pictures since New York, they are not where I can find them (and Deb is sleeping) so I am going to post the ones (I can find) from our days in Mystic. You will have to use your imagination on the rest (or maybe someday, I'll edit this log, and put some more on)
Below...when we left Essex, CT. it was a little hazy on the Sound. We passed this tall ship on our way in Mystic Harbor
As we got closer to the harbor, we started to see scenes like this one
Anywhere they could build close to the water...they did
This is a swing railroad bridge that takes you to downtown Mystic
This is the marina we stayed in at Mystic
As soon as we arrived in Mystic, we headed to lunch
After lunch we went to Mystic Seaport (I describe it in the log) and this is a huge whale ship on display
It is one of the last remaining whale ships in existance
This is an 1800's coal steamer ship...still carrying passengers
And...a real anchor used on the ships
On day 2 in Mystic, we found a great spot for lunch
At this lunch spot we met Pat (she's the one in the center of this picture with the yellow spiked hair) she was a great host, and we really enjoyed learning the history of Mystic from her
Log 162Day 449
Thursday, August 13, 2009
8:45 AM EDT
Location: Seaport Marine; Mystic, CT.
Weather: 68 degrees; raining; and fairly windy...forecasted to be more of the same for the rest of the day
It’s raining this morning as I write this. We had planned to go from Mystic, CT. to Block Island, RI. this morning, but the weather did not cooperate. So, we will be here another day. Here is a recap of how we got to Mystic, CT.
Saturday...we spent the day working on projects on the boat, and Jeanie and Terry arrived right on schedule at 4 pm. The rest of the day was spent sitting on the back deck...just catching up with what is going on at home. We had Italian beef sandwiches for dinner, and called it a night fairly early.
Sunday...up early, and rain all around us. It was not raining in NYC, but you could pretty much count on it raining sometime during the day. Terry had never been to New York, so we let him determine the itinerary. He decided he wanted to go see the Brooklyn Bridge, so we caught an early ferry ride from the marina, to Manhattan. Once off the ferry, we walked straight to the site of the twin towers, to see the new construction they are working on. From there, directly to the Brooklyn Bridge. We walked up the bridge, and about 1/3 of the way across to see the plaques on how it was constructed. Terry had read a lot about the bridge, and was very intrigued. I’m not big on those things...but I must admit I was impressed with the history, the construction, and the design. We all were. After walking the bridge, we walked up and down Broadway; then to Wall Street; and by Battery Park, to a restaurant we were looking for (a place called Fox & Hound...we ate there in 2000 when we came through here). After walking forever, we found out that Fox and Hound had been closed, but the chef opened a place just across the street, so we tried it, and it was very good. After lunch, Deb, Jeanie, and Terry, walked back to Battery Park to look around. I decided to catch a ferry back to the marina, and watch the NASCAR race on TV. As it turned out, the NASCAR race was rained out, and Battery Park was a bit of a disappointment (according to everyone) so we spent a couple of hours relaxing on the boat. For dinner, we had sausage and pasta (awesome) and we watched the movie “Taken” (awesome as well).
Monday...up early, for an early departure. The guide book says...if you go by The Battery, 2 hours after low tide, you can ride the incoming tide all the way out the East River to Long Island Sound. The low tide on Monday was at 5:30 am...so at exactly 7:30 we were heading up the East River, and they were right, we had a nice push all the way to Long Island Sound. Once we got to the Sound, the weather was perfect, and the Sound flat, so we decided to skip a couple of stops we had as options, and head straight for Essex, CT. A great decision. The weather was great all the way, the waves were minimal, and 110 miles after leaving NYC, we arrived at Essex Island Marina (about 4 pm). The balance of the day was spent washing the boat, and dipping in the pool. For dinner we had tilapia (fish), and after dinner we walked into town to get an ice cream cone. (Note; Essex Island Marina, really does sit on it’s own island, so you have to take a ferry ride (pontoon boat) to get to town...but it’s less than 100 feet from one dock to another. It’s cool.)
Tuesday...in the morning Terry washed the top of the boat, while I waxed a few places where it needed it. By 9 we were both done, but totally drenched in sweat, so we headed to the pool to cool off a little. By 10, we were in town, checking things out, and getting Terry a haircut. After Floyd the barber (not his real name...but it is a Mayberry type town) told us where to go (and where not to go), we met the girls and took a walk around. For lunch, we went to Griswold Inn (the locals call it the “Griz”). This place has been continuously operated since 1776, and has to be one of my favorite places we have visited since we left home 449 days ago. They have fresh popcorn; Stella on tap; (my favorite beer) great food; and an atmosphere I could never properly describe. It was kind of like walking back in time, and eating in an old revolutionary war tavern. Something right out of the movies. It was so good, after we ate dinner on the boat (chicken pot pie) we walked back into town, and went back to the “Griz” and listened to a great band they had that night.
Wednesday...we left Essex at 8 am, and went back out the Connecticut River to again join the Sound. We then went east on Long Island Sound, about 20 miles, to catch the Mystic River, and north about 3 miles to the downtown area of Mystic, where we arrived about 11:30 am. After a quick tie up, we went into town for some lunch, at S&P Seafood (waitress bad; food good). After lunch, Terry and I went back to the boat (for a quick nap) and the girls went to the store. At about 3 we went back into town, and on to the Mystic Seaport Museum. This was the coolest museum I have ever been to (which, I admit, is not many). The best way to describe it, is like Colonial Williamsburg...but about the sea. What they have tried to do is create a small village, all based around what it would have been like in a sea side village in the old days. They had ship building; boat repair; rope making; sail making; a black smith; a guy who can carve your masthead; boat rides; a tavern; and every other thing you can imagine that went along with ships. Terry and I had several conversations with the different “makers” who were there to represent the different trades. All of them authentic, and passionate about what they were doing. They were also passionate about making sure the history of their trade was preserved. Very cool. Back at the boat, the rain started as we had spaghetti for dinner. No movie...just good conversation.
Thursday...it is now 4:15 pm (I started this log at 8:15 am) and we are back at the boat after putzing around all day. Early this morning, while it was raining pretty hard, Terry said he wanted to put on rain coats and walk into town for some breakfast...so we did. We had a little trouble finding a place we could eat at, but we finally found a local spot. They did not serve the normal bacon and eggs...but they did make a mean breakfast sandwich. After a walk back to the boat, the rain stopped, so we went out and took another walk about a mile or so, to check out a near by marina. With no luck on finding a ship store at that marina, we walked back into town, and ended up at 11 o’clock at a local Italian bistro (hey...they were the only ones that opened at 11) and met a great lady named Pat, who told us everything we ever wanted to know about Mystic. We were so intrigued, we ended up calling the girls, and had them meet us there for lunch. Good choice. Now, we’re back at the boat, relaxing, which is why I can finish this log.
Tomorrow...we plan to try to leave early and head (again) towards Block Island. Block Island (or as the locals call it “Block”) is about 23 miles ESE of Mystic, and should be an easy run. The NE winds this morning would have made for a tough crossing, but, hopefully, tomorrow we will be able to get across with little issue. We’ll see.
I’ll keep you posted.
Bob
