There is always the temptation to remain in the calm of the sequestered anchorage particularly when welcomed so warmly by local yachtsmen. But the sea beckons and we set out on a southward course from Boston, influenced by a forecasted northeast weather front that was due to arrive in several days. Our goal was to sail south back through the Cape Cod Canal to Onset Bay where shelter was available on a secure mooring. Once there we motored over the marina dock where we engaged the services of an experienced mechanic who worked with us to go over our 50 horsepower Yanmar diesel engine. Things were progressing smoothly when the mechanic turned the torque wrench too hard and I heard a loud snap. It turned out to be a support piece for the rocker arm as best as I can describe it. A replacement part was ordered but would take 3 days to arrive. As we could not fire up the engine, we were obliged to remain in the marina tied up to a very secure dock. This turned out to be fortuitous because that evening and for the next 2 days, the wind howled and the rain beat down but we were safe and dry.
Martha’s Vineyard
Once the ubiquitous part was delivered and installed, we left Onset Bay Marina and headed south on Buzzard’s Bay through Woods Hole and on to Martha’s Vineyard where we anchored that evening outside the breakwater. The next morning we sought shelter inside the breakwater and were offered to tie up to a dock which we gladly accepted. This afforded us the time to tour the towns of Vineyard Haven, Oak Bluffs, and Edgartown. We also hopped on a tour van to trek all over the island and learned much about this unique island destination which claimed the title of the very best seafood chowder.
Bidding farewell to Martha’s Vineyard we sailed southwest through Vineyard Sound with main and head sails aloft. The pleasant day soon gave way to rain so we donned our foul weather gear and continued on to Newport, Rhode Island, host of the annual boat show.
The rain eventually subsided and the wind enabled us to sail swiftly across Buzzards Bay and into the channel that we thought would afford secure anchorage.
We were secure but with the strong wind from the North, we had a couple of rocky nights. By the way, the boat show was well worth the price of admission. Cindy had to remind me to simply enjoy touring these brand new sailboats costing in the high six figures rather than feeling envious. We completed the day dining at the Newport Yacht Club where the Commodore displayed our yacht club’s burgee that a Southern California seafarer had brought with them years before.
Happy to leave Newport we sailed on to the south fork of Long Island Sound where we anchored in Three Mile Harbor for a couple of days. We uberred to the nearby town of East Hampton where we spent a few delightful hours on the beach in the warm sun of late summer. East Hampton is quite a lovely town and a frightfully expensive place to live!
We left the next day bound for Port Jefferson, NY on the south shore of Long Island Sound, another of those deep bays extending for several miles in from the Sound. Then on to Port Washington, NY, a familiar anchorage where we readied Fantasea to welcome Dave and Deborah from Las Vegas who arrived the next evening. For the next 7 days, we toured New York City including the World Trade Center Memorial pools, Federal Hall and the financial district, and the Freedom Tower. We beachcombed at Sandy Hook and cruised the Hudson River and Upper New York Bay. No matter how often one visits New York City, the vision of the skyscrapers from the sea is breathtaking.
Dave and Deborah departed and we sailed back up the East River, through the Roosevelt Island Lift Bridget (we contacted the bridge tender and he agreed to lift the bridge so we could pass through), and back to Port Washington. Fantasea was secured to a mooring and we flew down to Atlanta to visit daughter Jessica and hubby Phil and our amazing grandsons, Finn, 5, who taught us the words to Who let the Dogs Out-Arf Arf! and Wyatt, 2, who copies his big bubba on everything.
Ron and Cindy's Odyssea 