Safe travels

[RobS]

We were admiring this gorgeous boat and the dock guy told us it was built for Billy Joel, and the original name was Alexa

I wonder if that Alexa was built at Coecles in Shelter Island. BJ is one of the designer's of the Shelter Island Runabout presently built at Coecles. They are very classy boats. Check out this site and click on the "News" tab and scroll down. This is probably the boat he got to replace the one Ric shot this picture of in Essex. The SI Runabouts are beauties but they are north of $400K (even the 30 ft model) If you ever get over to Coecles they usually can give tours of the boat building facility.

http://chmarineyachts.com/index.html

The "News" article says it's gonna take him comfortably from Oyster Bay to Manhattan - whoa, big F'ing deal - a whopping 20 miles that an $8 fare on the Long Island Rail Road can do just the same.

[RicM]

9:30 at Essex, and the wind and rain is roaring!

[RicM]

We passed part of the evening at the Griswold Inn, one of the oldest operating in the country, for a somewhat overpriced under-inspired meal, but fun banjo music in the bar afterward. When we came out it was raining sheets and blowing 30-40 mph. We walked back in the rain and then had to take the little ferry across about 100 ft of water to Essex Island. That was the scariest part of the storm, the trip on the ferry. The night was a little rocky, but after midnight the wind switched around to the west and it was quite comfortable the rest of the night. We lost one of our fenders overnight, the knot pulled right through it. I felt the boat contacting the dock and put out another, but at that point the worst was over. We'll look for it on the way out tomorrow, it's out there floating around somewhere. All and all it was kind of exciting and fun, not scary at all. Great story to tell this winter. Tomorrow we leave here early morning and head to Greenport LI.

[jleonard]

Storm was nothing like predicted. I recorded a max wind gust of 30 knots from the SE in Mystic.
At least we had a niice day there...no rain until about 3 in afternoon and that was a shower that lasted maybe an hour. Then dry until about 8:30 or so.
Not a bad day all in all for us. No wind to speak of until about 9:30/10 pm.
Cheers.
Jay

[RicM]

Yesterday, Monday, we moved from Essex CT to Greenport LI on a perfectly calm clear day. After checking out Mitchell Park and Townsend Marina we settled back at Mitchell Park, Townsend was nice, but a little far from the conveniences and they were doing noisy construction at the hospital next door. Not very peaceful. We tied up at Mitchell park and we were the only boat here. This is the good thing about cruising after Labor Day, no reservations required. It is kinda lonely here, just one boat in 200 slips. Long walk to the head/showers. Obviously the guy who designed this place has never spent a night on a boat in his life.
Erika and Rob joined us mid afternoon and brought ice, snacks, and beer. The best kind of guests! Oh and they are a very nice, attractive, fun couple as well!
We all went on Time After Time to Pepe's, a little Italian place right on the water with their own dock at Port of Egypt. It was a most excellent meal and the cruise there and back was gorgeous.
Quiet night in the slip and beautiful morning that went rapidly down hill to this point, 1:15PM were we are hunkered down waiting for some rowdy T-storms to pass through. Dinner in town tonight then on to Lake Montauk tomorrow.

[RobS]

Erika and Rob joined us mid afternoon and brought ice, snacks, and beer.

But we did not leave empty handed - 2 fine "SX" (Essex) mugs and a plastic "airline safe" razor blade

It's surely a good time, time after time, on Time After Time

[RicM]

Time after Time is back home after 234 NM traveled during our cruise from Wickford, RI to Essex CT, Greenport LI, NY, Montauk, LI, NY (sorry about the Brett thingee today New Yorkers), New Harbor, Block Island then back home to Wickford. Things I have learned:

Essex will be great for the Rendezvous, but if you want to cook your own food you better bring it, it’s a hike to a decent grocery or chandlery.

Greenport seems like a real fun town in season, but without a crowd, the grit shows through. Mitchell Park marina was designed by a total idiot, with the showers and heads at the farthest possible point from the ramp to the docks. Occaisionally some questionable looking folks lounging in the park make the trip feel like an adventure after dark. Pump your head on the way in & out (at least that’s free!). Pepi’s was the big find there, thanks to Erika & Rob, the perfect guests!

Montauk was the big discovery for me, a really delightful town and marina area. Montauk Yacht Club talks a good game, but is pricey and more aimed at the mega-yacht crowd. Showers & heads there were paltry and in bad repair at seasons end. I would look into some of the other facilities there.

We have been to BI MANY times and never stayed at Payne’s Dock. I am now devoted to Mahogany Shoals, the little bar there. What a hoot! If you want to go back 100 years and drink rum like a sailor, this is the place! Great people, lot’s of laughs, and a how do you do, can do attitude that we just never saw in NY where everyone (except Erika & Rob) seemed kinda’ grumpy. Maybe it goes back to that Jets thing?
Eleven great days and Karen & I still love each other and are still talking! The only regret was the fishing. When we had time there were no fish, when there were fish the weather stunk. Oh well, there’s at least 2 more months of good fishing left. I’ll get over it!

[RobS]

Thanks for the compliments sir - but after reading all of that I'd have to question who is really the grumpy one

BTW, Jets fans did not get grumpy until sometime after 4PM yesterday, you must have been running into Yankee fans.

[RicM]

Rob:

Don't get me wrong, I loved Montauk & Greenport, but I can see that Greenport is a whole lot better during high season, and there was no way I'd let Karen walk up to those showers and heads after dark. She of the many bottles of water can fill up a seven gallon holding tank all on her own in 36 hours!

[RobS]

I know, I know, I'm just bustin on ya and defending my land!

Next time put a temporary "NY" port of call on your transom and cover up those RI reg numbers. Or better yet plan your trips to NY when the sox are not atop the AL East.

How about the dogs at Liar's Pub in Mtk, did they at least wag their tail when you walked in or were they grumpy too...

[RobS]

Remember this guy - I guess I kinda felt like him when reading your post

[gigi]

Not to mention their owners!

We met SO many people on this cruise: from Ogden Bigalow from Essex (who left the Black Seal to drive home and bring us an unused fender to replace the one we lost during Hanna), to the chef at Claudio's in Greenport and a local marina owner (who's invited us back to stay at his place). I actually went up to the very far away head at Michell Park one morning, and returned to find Ric and a local gentleman sitting in deck chairs on Time after Time. Turns out he also owns an Albin 28, and they were discussing the merits of this very fine boat.

At the Montauk Yacht Club, I met a woman while doing laundry, and she invited us to their 38 x 24 catamaran, "Blue Dog Cat". They're retired school principals from Boca Raton and have been cruising since May! After cocktails on their boat, we all took the shuttle to Gosman's for a lobster dinner, and then they trekked with us to Rob and Erika's favorite place - Liar's Saloon. What a blast that was!

Block Island is an old favorite of mine, and to find a different dockage with an indescribable bar was a true find.

All in all, I can't image my life without boating. That was the best vacation I've ever had...and here I am back at work, and seeing to this post before anything else! Thanks to all for being a part of our lives here in Little Rhody.

Until next time.....

[RobS]

My wife, both daughters and myself all agree that our August trip, very similar to yours, was our best family vacation - no airports, no lines, no cars, no schedule whatsover....

Karen,
I am trying to figure out what you meant by "Not to mention their owners!"

Was it:

1. Albins are great and so are thier owners
2. Albin owners are grumpy too

or,

3. When you walked into Liar's the owners of the dogs wagged thier tails too!

[gigi]

Rob, my subject line was "Home safe - Albin's are great"...Not to mention their owners was in relation to that...so #1 is correct. To tell you the truth, I don't remember if there were any 4 legged dogs at Liars.