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

Noank, CT, July 7 – 13, 2015

July 7 – 13, 2015

After dropping Caroline at the Providence, RI Airport, Clay and I returned to Noank Village Boatyard (NVB so stamped on dock carts, etc) by way of Wal-Mart for re-provisioning. He'd had the foresight to locate a couple options for our stop with a deadline of 10 a.m. to return our borrowed car to Tom. Thanks, Clay, for your research, and Tom, for loaning your car! When Caroline asked what she could do to repay Tom, I replied, "That's what boaters do for each other. My best suggestion is to pay it forward."

We spent much of this Tuesday regrouping after having a guest aboard. I managed to work in a walk during the wash and dry cycles of the lone pair of machines housed in the breezeway of NVB. Got 'detoured' (I never admit to getting lost) during the dry cycle after venturing too far from home without a map; but made it back just in time to fold sheets without wrinkles!

SixPenny, the Noank Village Boatyard Launch

SixPenny, the launch

Wednesday dawned with a day trip planned to adjacent community Groton, CT for a dermatology appointment for Clay (left pinkie still abnormal) and a Supercuts haircut for me. Tom dropped us respectively for cutting, then Clay and I rendezvoused on foot at a mid-point location (conveniently a Wal-Mart for Rx) followed by a Harry's Taxi ride home.
  
Thursday's morning walk took us to Carson's for Clay to order and then proceed to eat a hearty breakfast of ham and cheese omelet, hash browns, toast and coffee; he won't need lunch today! After composing a few blog emails, I off-loaded my bike and rode the winding and hilly road to Mystic, CT.

Sailboat departing the Mystic River

Mystic, CT is a major New England tourist destination, home to the Mystic Aquarium and Institute for Exploration, known for its research department and concern with marine life rehabilitation. The business district on either side of the bascule bridge where US Route 1 crosses the Mystic River contains many restaurants and shops. Founded in 1929, Mystic Seaport is the nation's leading maritime museum and one of the premier maritime museums in the world; among the many exhibits located here is a recreation of a 19th-century seafaring village. I found Mystic to be charming and crawling with tourists of all nationalities. My destination--just to have a destination--was the Seaport where an MTOA Rendezvous was being staged. 

Fiji brother, Kip Cosden, Clay and Sally

Two hours later I was back in Noank and checking in with Clay who had spent the day digesting his morning breakfast. An unexpected knock on our port door had me puzzled as to the reunion that soon followed between Clay and our guest. Ed (Kip) Cosden was a fraternity buddy of Clay's from Westminster and the guest in question. What transpired was a lot of male conversation catching up on the whereabouts and whatabouts of mutual college friends; I happily sipped wine in Ed's summer home on the point around the corner from our marina then dined on swordfish at the Seahorse second night in a row. I'm liking this dining out stuff! Amazing to have not one but two acquaintances in this tiny seaside village of Noank, both with boats docked at Noank Village Boatyard.

Cousin Kris Kinet

Capt. Clay and Cousin Kris Kinet

 

Clay with cousins Virginia and Kris Kinet

Sally and Virginia Kinet

Our reunions continued on Friday with the noon arrival of cousin Kris Kinet--another knock at our port door (this port door is getting quite a workout). After a brief tour of the SaSea Sally, we loaded into Kris' car for a road trip to Mystic for a delicious lunch and conversation with Kris and her mother Virginia. What an absolute delight to share the afternoon with these two lovely ladies who made us feel so welcome. The ambiance of our lunch on the shaded patio was pretty darn close to heaven, not to mention the delicious homemade (by Kris) gazpacho, lobster salad with huge chunks of lobster on a bed of greens (and pansies--edible--garnishing the plate), and chocolate chip cookies. Oh my, Kris, you're a hard act to follow!

Back in time for a brief swing through the local farmers market in Noank, we

The Blue Moon, a Ditling yacht

then prepped for docktails on the fly bridge which commenced with the reappearance of Ed. With Ed's wife in Alaska, I think he welcomed the company this evening before an early morning departure to retrieve his boat in Maine.

Tom and Gretchen (Wight) McKenzie

Earlier in the week Caroline and I had explored downtown Noank, but Clay had not had the opportunity. So, Clay and I poked around the shops Saturday morning then went our separate ways. Clay spent considerable time aboard Blue Moon with Tom briefing him on upcoming waterways (Nantucket and points along the way). I biked roundtrip to Groton Long Point which appeared to be a residential summer community with pretty streets, beaches, and lots of family activity underway. Seemed like good, wholesome family fun! Loved it!

Good lobsters!!!

With Monday our departure day, we spent much of Sunday regrouping and completing a myriad of household chores. Clay and I looked forward to dinner at Ford's for a repeat of our entrees of Asian Salmon (me) and Lobster Thermidor (Clay). Yum! We weren't disappointed. And, we remembered our OB for BYOB, enjoying wine and beer while sitting on level spots among the huge rock slabs along the harbor during the 45-minute wait.

As Monday dawns, and along with it our anticipated departure toward Narragansett Bay and Providence, RI, I bid you farewell and hope you enjoyed the details of our stay in Noank, CT.

Moored boats in the Mystic River