Noank, CT to Block Island, RI, July 13 - 17, 2015

July 13 - 17, 2015

Coastal home

Tom threw our lines for a 10:30 a.m. departure

Coastal resort

from Noank Village Boatyard this Monday morning and bid us farewell. Abruptly, our outward-bound boat took a sharp port detour (that's left for you non-boaters) with

Beach cabanas

Captain Clay deciding

GPS screen at Pt Judith entrance

a pump out was desirable. So, single-handedly (well, we really had four hands) we transacted the voiding (and I don't do pump outs...right). Once underway again, we cruised with lazy but meaningful ocean waves to drop anchor at Point Judith Pond which, in my mind, was far too big a body of water to be called a 'pond.' A friendly fisherman soon stopped by to reprimand us for our location at the north edge of an oyster field; oh, so now noticing those four widely-spaced yellow floats  
cornering this area, we also know what they denote. Nonetheless, the fisherman gave us 'permission' for an overnight here without having to reset our anchor.  Yay!

Pt Judith pond beach

Pt Judith to Block Isl Ferry

More waves breaking

Waves breaking on the Pt Judith breakwater

Pt Judith lighthouse

Narraganset Bay-boaters paradise

After completing a myriad of housekeeping chores Tuesday morning, we pulled anchor and set sights on Narragansett Bay. As we approached the harbor entrance going into the ocean (Clay is trying to tell me that the forthcoming body of water was technically Block Island Sound because 'sound' indicates some protection, but...read on), Clay noted the extreme waves breaking onshore. Biggies. I asked if we were going out there. He said, we'll stick our heads out. Well, there was some reason there were NO OTHER boats out there except a couple sailboats. We were thrown around like ping pong balls (being a bit dramatic here, but I was in tears hanging on for dear life on the bench seat cushion which doesn't 'lock' into place). I think men love that kinda stuff; women, not so much. 

Note: I have now found the safe and steady place on the boat to ride out that motion if it ever happens again. And, it will. 

Old lighthouse under bridge on west arm

 

Fish traps

Once we turned into Narragansett Bay, it smoothed out...but I didn't. I had trouble recuperating; the feeling of turmoil just wouldn't go away. Very unsettling. And, I felt like the spunk was gone from me; kinda like a deflated balloon. I was cordial to Clay, but certainly not sociable.

We continued our trek to Pirate Cove Marina to take on fuel, then to Potter's Cove where we dropped anchor for the night. I do believe Clay needs to fine-tune his planning to include ocean wave height. Todd and Paula (Ocean Breeze platinum Loopers), where are you? He could use a lesson!

Bottom paint test at Brewer Warwick

???

We awakened Wednesday morning to calm waters and dead calm air with a cloud/fog cover. But, sun came out in time for my tracking which made for sauna-like conditions. I guess it's good to sweat. The water looked so inviting, but the threat of water-borne bacteria makes me hesitant. 

Home?  Rocky Pt-Warwick RI

We pulled anchor and arrived straight up 12:00 noon at Brewer's Greenwich Bay Marina, greeted by friend Sam Freeman who was joining us for a few days' cruising. I soon got a chuckle from Sam who decided we should lunch at the County Cork Irish Pub next door before checking in at the marina office which was "too far to walk; we'll need to drive." So nice to have Sam...and Sam's car at our disposal for a grocery run following lunch and check-in; and, then dinner at Sam's choice of Legal Seafood. Yummy!

Jamestown RI Mooring field & marina

Happy crew after our first "mooring" to a ball

We had a nasty storm pass through early evening while we were dining, but Thursday dawned bright and sunny, 59 degrees worth of chilly and VERY windy. We departed our slip and cruised a short distance to 'dock' on mooring ball R-0 (our position in the mooring field) at Conanicut Marina, Jamestown, RI. As we'd never done a mooring ball before (there's always potential adventure on the horizon in my life), I was appreciative of Sam's efforts to help and thankful that Captain Clay held the boat steady in the stiff winds for us to fish out the lines of the mooring ball (called penants I think) and get them set. I was even more thankful that we weren't venturing out into the ocean this day. After Tuesday's 'harrowing' experience (bobbing around like a cork which I so did not like, and it certainly wasn't good for my emotional well-being!!!!), 4' waves on the ocean are no longer in my repertoire!

Fort at Newport RI

We soon radioed the launch for a pick-up to shore. On exploration, we walked the main street of Jamestown, RI, poked our heads in a couple shops in the downtown area (there were only a couple: pharmacy/drug store, liquor store, hardware store), and then ventured into the town's historical museum for a quick look/see. The walk, at a decent pace, gave us a good overall inspection of the town's offerings.

Nice Newport residence

We returned to the boat via launch to freshen up for dinner at Fish which was beyond delightful. For dessert, Sam ordered a sampler of the restaurant's homemade ice creams. Oh my...to die for! The mint was the hands-down favorite, and we all commented that Jamestown was well worth the stop if only for Fish's ice cream! So glad Sam asked for three spoons.

Coasties going out on patrol

Fun to be right even tho I'm the only one who knows it. Boat waves hit this beautiful Friday morning about 4 a.m., creating a rocky-rolly awakening. Sam commented when he got up that the boat sure rocked and rolled overnight. Yep. That's what I was telling him on the fly bridge the previous afternoon when I mentioned that the motion can be an awakening experience...a real eye-opener! And, as I explained this morn when Clay questioned how easy/hard attaching to the mooring ball was, I was apprehensive and nervous: a) because we'd never done it before; b) I well knew many of the things that could go wrong. Enuf said. 

Narraganset Bay

These mooring balls are actually a bargain($) compared to dock slips. Of course, we use our own electricity and water, but most mooring ball 'rentals' come with those same services offered to slip renters: pump out; restrooms/showers/laundry; wi-fi (thankful for our booster); and additionally, launch service (either complimentary or for a small fee per trip).

Our departure from mooring ball R-0 was seamless, and we set our sights on Block Island. As we cruise the open waters for an anticipated four-plus hours, I bid you a fond farewell and promise to update you on our weekend adventures on Block Island.

Jamestown to Newport bridge in fog

Jamestown-Newport bridge at night

Sam Freeman in the background, Capt Clay in foreground