Log 165; Day 457; August 21, 2009; Sag Harbor, NY

Steve and Claudia Larry came to the boat on Wednesday afternoon, and we had a great pasta dinner on the back deck.

On Thursday, we went from Greenport, NY, to Sag Harbor, NY...a big cruise of 10 miles. The fog was very heavy as we left the harbor at Greenport


Still foggy out, but Deb managed to get a great shot of Steve and Claudia on the bow of the boat

The fog was not bad, but it is still a little unerving to see things on radar, and then waiting to see them come out of the fog

This is one of the ferry boats that serve Shelter Island.

One of our first look at Sag Harbor...there were mega yachts everywhere

If you look closely...you will see that one of the yachts carries his own car with him
This is our slip in Sag Harbor

The first order of business was to find a nice place for lunch

A look at the main street of Sag Harbor

I went back to the boat, but Steve hung in there with the girls as they went window shopping

Claudia and Deb in front of an old lighthouse in Sag Harbor

It was very hot and very humid, so Claudia decides to go to the beach for a swim

After a great tuna steak dinner on the boat, we walked over to the park (2 minutes away) to listen to a free (Big Band Sound) concert.

Log 165
Day 457
Friday, August 21, 2009

7:30 AM EDT
Location: Sag Harbor, NY
Weather: 82 degrees; very humid...forecasted to be mid 80’s and 92% humidity

It is still hot; humid; and very sticky. One of those days you love air conditioning, and do not want to be outside. Even on the water, it’s hot.

Steve and Claudia joined us on Wednesday afternoon. Steve worked with/for me for the last 15+ years (he’s now retired) and it is always great to be with he and Claudia. After a quick unpacking on the boat, we jumped in their car (one of those Rent-A-Wreck cars that is true to it’s name) and drove about 1 1/2 miles into Greenport to check it out. We found a great grocery store; a liquor store; and stopped at an awesome bar (Claudio’s) for a cold beer. Deb forgot her camera (surprised me too) so no pictures, but I’ll bet we go back before the Larry’s leave.

On Thursday we left Greenport harbor, in the fog, at 9:30 for a short ride (10 miles or so) around Shelter Island, to Sag Harbor. Sag Harbor is just a few miles from the East Hamptons, and has the reputation of a quaint, high class, town. Whoever said that was correct. The first thing you noticed when we got close to the harbor, was all the mega yachts. Then when we checked in, we also realized that it was the most expensive place we have ever docked at. They charged $6 @ foot (per night)...plus $35 for electric. Amazing. But, the marina, and the town, was very nice, and we walked into town (about 200 feet from our boat) and found a great spot for lunch. After lunch, we took a walk up and down main street, and just window shopped. Back at the boat, we had great tuna steaks for dinner, and then took a walk on the dock, to look at all the mega yachts, and then to the park to listen to a free concert.

Friday...we decided not to stay another night in Sag Harbor (to expensive) and head back to Greenport. We left Sag Harbor about 9:30 and the weather was fine...but windy. As we came through the pass between the mainland and Shelter Island, the wind and current were in opposite directions, and the waters were VERY confused, and the waves short and steep. I had to drop down to an idle, and even doing that, the bow of the boat would drop into a wave and make a large splash on the boat. Later, we found a nice spot to anchor, where Claudia took a swim, and we had some lunch. About 2, we were back at Brewer’s Marina in Greenport. After a complete wash of the boat, we took a nice (but wet and bumpy due to the winds) dinghy ride from our marina, out in the harbor and into town. Back at the boat, we had chicken and vegetables for dinner, and watched Eagle Eye (they say it was good...I fell asleep).

Hurricane Bill...I have received several emails, and calls, asking how we were doing as Hurricane Bill approaches. We’re in great shape. I have been tracking Bill’s progress for several days now, and made plans to be in our current marina, with that in mind. The slip we are in is very protected, and we are also on a floating dock, so large increases in tides (normal with hurricanes) will not affect us either. That said...Bill’s current projection is to miss the US and will probably make land in Nova Scotia. And...by that time it will not be a hurricane. But I’m sure we will get some wind, and high tides...but nothing that will cause us any issues.

I’ll keep you posted.

Bob

Log 163; Day 454; August 18, 2009; Greenport, NY

Another qualifier...first of all, there are a lot of pictures in this log, and I could have easily put in 3 times this much. Also...I normally try to put these in order to tell a story, but (I'm sure due to my inability to do it the right way) I got so aggravated trying to arrange them...some are out of order...sorry.

These first 12 pictures are of Newport, RI. It is one of the most amazing harbors I have ever been to. As some of my friends who have been there describe it..."indescribable".

This is the most mega yachts we have seen since Ft. Lauderdale...they were amazing

We followed (in the dinghy) a mega yacht coming in the harbor, and tying up...very cool to watch

You can buy lobster right off the dock...$45 @ pound

The downtown of Newport is very cool. It is where the feel of an old port town, meets the new and rich.


Ok...let's start at the beginning. Here we are leaving Mystic Harbor on Friday morning. The weather as perfect. Bright sun. No wind. Mild temperatures

After 25 miles on Block Island Sound with perfect weather, we enter Block Island Harbor. We were amazed at the number of boats.

We stayed at Payne's dock...it was the most crowded and disorganized docking situation I have EVER been to. It took us over 30 minutes of waiting, but they found us a spot.

We were rafted off another boat, and blocking at least 10 boats from getting out
You can see from these pictures how they "shoe horn" these boats in

I hate to raft off another boat...but we had no choice

It seems most folk ride their bikes around the island

We...on the other hand...rented a car to see the island

This is one of their lighthouses. By the way...they just moved this one, because the ground it was sitting on was being eroded away

You can walk down these stairs (160 steps) to the southeast side of island. Deb and Terry did. Jeanine and I watched them

At the bottom of the stairs is a very nice beach

This was a very calm day...but you can see the surf coming in from the Atlantic was still strong

Deb probably took 30 pictures of the hotels and eating places on Block Island...here is a sample

The next day (Saturday) we left Block Island Harbor in very foggy conditions. This is a picture of the radar coming out of the harbor. Each of those dots is a boat, our boat is in the center, and that yellow line is our current heading

Here is a shot of the fog

We had about 25 miles to go to Newport, and I could see boats on the radar...then all of a sudden they would pop out of the fog...like this one

As we got close to Newport, there was a lot more traffic, and more boats would come out of the fog

This is our first glimpse of Newport Harbor, and the fog was just starting to lift

Here was a huge house built of a small rock

As we came into Newport Harbor, the fog was getting better

This shot is looking east at the town of Newport

One of the many pictures we took in downtown Newport (again...sorry about the order)

This is our slip in Newport...we were directly across from a huge yacht.

Log 163
Day 454
Tuesday, August 18, 2009

11:00 AM EDT
Location: Brewer Stirling Harbor, Greenport, NY
Weather: 90 degrees; hot and humid...forecasted to be more of the same for the rest of the day

Side note: We love having people join us on our boat...but it makes it very difficult for me to get these logs done. Usually I do the logs in the morning before Deb wakes up, but when Terry was on board, he gets up almost as early as I do, so I chose to spend time talking to him, rather than do a captain’s log. Hence...the reason I am behind.

They are forecasting today to be one of the hottest days of the summer in New York. It only got down to 76 last night, and was 85 by 9:30. We are in Greenport, NY this morning (click here) to see our location on Google Maps. Here is how we got here.

Friday (August 14)...after a rainy day in Mystic harbor on Thursday, Friday morning was one of those perfect days. Bright sun; low humidity; no wind. We left downtown Mystic at 7:30 and went 2 to 3 miles to Mystic Harbor, where we filled up with fuel (325 gallons @ $2.94). After fueling up, we joined the eastern edge of Long Island Sound; then east a few miles to Block Island Sound; and 25 miles later we were at Block Island. We had read a lot about Block Island, but were not prepared for the amount of boats in Great Salt Pond (the harbor within Block Island). And...we were certainly not prepared for what we encountered at Payne’s Marina. We were told to go to Payne’s by a guy in Essex, but he failed to tell us how Payne’s works. Basically, it is a marina that will hold about 50 boats, but they pack up to 200 in there on weekends. This is one time where the picture does tell the story. As jammed in as we were...we were one of the lucky ones. We only had to climb over 1 boat to get to the dock, and we were on the end, so we could get out when we wanted to. It was a mess (interesting mess...but a mess none the less) but we finally settled in, and decided to go get some lunch. Terry had talked to a guy who said there was a great place...only a 10 minute walk. So...after 30 minutes...we got to the place...and it was “ok”. But, while eating we decided to tour the island, and ended up renting a convertible Mustang, and had a great time exploring. Most people do this on their bikes...but for my money, you can’t beat the way we did it. Again...the pictures tell a good story.

Saturday...we woke to bright sunshine, and warm temperatures, but by 8:30 the fog started to roll in, and you could see it was going to cover the Island. So...we made a fast decision to head out of the harbor, before we got stuck there (which many folks were). As we were leaving, it was getting worse, and by the time we got out in Block Island Sound, the visibility was less than 50 yards in many spots. We have great radar on Headquarters, so I was not worried, but there were lots of fishing boats out there...many without radar, so I was concerned about fast moving boats, that did not know we were in their area. With lots of “puckering” (and several blast on our horn to let someone know we were there) we made it to Newport (23 miles) in about 2 1/2 hours. I was concerned about entering Newport Harbor in a heavy fog, but the closer we got, the better it got, and as we came in the breakwater the fog was nearly gone. And I’m so glad it was, because along with being VERY busy, the harbor is just beautiful. Deb and I both commented it reminded us of the Monte Carlo Harbor, in Monaco. (If you are reading this log on email...go to the blog and see the pictures). After getting to our slip, we walked into town for some lunch, and then took an afternoon dinghy ride around the harbor. It was amazing (and fun) to see one yacht bigger, and more elaborate, than the next. The recession is not evident in Newport. The day ended (like most since Jeanie and Terry got on board) with a great dinner on the boat, and a walk into town for ice cream.

Sunday...our last full day with Jeanine and Terry started with Terry and I walking into town (in the fog) for some breakfast. We were looking for a little spot that served an old fashion breakfast, but instead found an interesting spot (the decor was like on of those California Kitchens...not my favorite) and both had great breakfasts. Back at the boat we relaxed, and made lots of calls to find Jennie and Terry a ride to the airport on Monday (we had planned to rent a car, and I take them back, but the weather on Tuesday called for stronger winds out of the SW, and I wanted to leave on Monday to avoid this). For lunch we walked into town, and found a great spot. In the afternoon, the girls decided to take a walk around the town, and Terry went back to the boat to watch the NASCAR race in Michigan. Another great dinner on the boat. Another walk into town (after dinner) for ice cream. Another great day.

Monday...the limo picked up Jeanie and Terry at 7 am, and we were again (for a few days anyway) on our own. It was very foggy in the harbor, and we waited until a little after 9 to head out. When we did, it was not bad in the harbor, but the fog got heavier the further we went, and it was almost 2 pm before the visibility was good enough for me not to drive by radar. It’s hard to describe what it’s like to drive without seeing anything (except what you see on radar, and hear on the ship to shore radio) but suffice it to say it is very stressful. Not necessarily dangerous (because I can see everything on radar) but very tiring, and I was certainly glad to see the sun finally break through...about 40 miles into our 60 mile trip. We finally reached Greenport Harbor about 4 pm, and it was almost 5:30, by the time we got the boat washed down, and organized.

Tuesday...hard to believe, it is almost noon as I finish this. Between all the pictures, and writing this, it has taken the entire morning. Deb has been busy doing several loads of laundry, and doing some organizing. We have more guests coming tomorrow afternoon (Steve and Claudia Larry) so we are getting ready for them. We had planed to go to Martha’s Vineyard on Thursday...but the winds do not want to cooperate, so I need to check the guide books for some alternate plans. We also want to take the courtesy van into town (Greenport) to get some groceries. We’re not sure where we’ll go from here (once Steve and Claudia get off on Sunday) we’ll just have to see what the weather brings, and which direction is best to travel.

I’ll keep you posted.

Bob