Day 1 - Rowayton/Darien to City Island - about 20 miles - all good - no worries - a great start to the trip.
So there. If you are not a boater, and don't want to read a "ramble" - you can leave now - and check in tomorrow - you'll see the BLUE PINS where we are and have been, and the RED PIN which is where we expect to be tomorrow.
OK - the non boaters can leave now - see you tomorrow!
And now - for the boaters and the idly curious. It was a fine start to a significant trip. The pre-packing and the stowing of gear is still a surprise .... leaving Holly Pond at the late tide was a real boon - it gave a chance to get things done at a more reasonable pace - the dogs groomed (the are "real cool dogs" now - and they are very happy at Francine Garb's "Doggy Grandparents" home in North Stamford. As we drove in her driveway - they went nuts - saying in effect: Thanks, Dad, We Are Going to Have A Lot of Fun Now." Sorry to leave them - but Francine does such a great job of making them feel at home, I have to smile at their torn loyalties: Me? Or Six other waggy tails?
Anyway - once the day started, it was a very "complete day" - the gamut - Owl & Lovinde met-up as planned - and motored West on a glassy Sound .... beautiful morning for 'making tracks' - engines on full tilt - plowing down the Sound, putting miles in the bank. Looked over at the Optie class at Norton - felt sorry for the Junior Program sailing students - no wind. But the instructors were resourceful: they were conducting class in swamping (on purpose) and then getting back in and bailing. Its what you do, when you have a lot of kids in your charge, when there is no wind.
Mile after mile - beautiful coast line - beautiful morning. About Port Chester the breeze came up, little ruffles at first - always 'on the nose,' of course - but promising. Promises turned into WHOOEEE as the afternoon breeze (still on the nose as we passed Execution Rock) brought 15-20 with whitecaps.
We passed North of Hart Island to go directly to the only public gas dock on City Island (North end - about 12 o'clock, next to the one mainland bridge) - and had a good laugh with the college kid/dock hand: we needed to top off the tanks - as a result of the day's run and in anticipation of the NY Harbor run tomorrow. Two Catboats' fuel? About 6 gallons. We asked him what the minimum purchase had been this summer - he said: about a gallon, plus one bag of ice! We didn't even buy ice - but we had a good laugh.
Then the trip half way around City Island to Morris Yacht Club (about 7o'clock - just West of Johnnies Seafood Restaurant (more on that later) .... and into the wind. All the way South along the island I was thinking ... this could be a big m-I-s-t-a-k-e. ... white caps, freaky waves ... general dyspepsia. But after a fine Squadron event at Morris last week, I wanted to go back and enjoy the most beautiful and hospitable place on the island. It is a very fine operation. The Morris launch operator pointed out our moorings - a struggle to get secure (forget about pulling up the hawser - pass a long-line through the slimy hawser and back to the other side's chock .... and get some distance from the rocking and rolling and chaos of the ball and pick-up buoy.
Sat on the mooring for about a half hour - thinking: this will never do - this was a m-I-s-t-a-k-e of the first order, wonder what we will find this evening after dinner: a return to a chaotic scene - boat standing on end. Cell phone conference: WE ARE LEAVING - Yesssssssss. Motored back to the big commercial marina at the South-East of the island - South Minneford Yacht Club (not a club, really, just a nicely laid out marina) secured our slips - calm, out of the wind, no fuss no muss. Tell them that you are members of BoatUS and you get a discount - just like traveling the roads with AAA.
OK - the high point: dinner at Johnny's Seafood - at the very tip of City Island. Chaos. Happy chaos. I was last there with D&B+M&P after Birdland. Then, it was quiet, late at night. Tonight - the opposite: Noisy. Joyous. International. And, oh, did I mention the fried clams, the clam chowder, the beer? Best damn beer I tasted today - it was so cold it brought tears to my eyes.
After the requisite soft ice cream cone - back to the marina - shower, blog, and to the bunk - it will feel really good, again. Last night, after the 2am escape from Holly Pond - I had only 3 hours of bunk time - so you see this is a good chance to sleep it off and get into vacation mode.
Vacation mode? Not so fast. Vacation really begins when we are safe and sound behind Fire Island in the Great South Bay. Then the travels will be less demanding .... or rather, not 'demanding' at all.
But tomorrow, with good crew coming on board (Pat Linskey, and 'Ground Control' Peter Adler) we will have good company for the challenging trip through the harbor. The wind 'should' abate a bit, and the showers that are predicted are sporadic, not soaking ..... so we will "Press On Regardless" and get this leg of the trip in the bank. OK OK OK - no risks, mind you, but there is a realization that this is really a threshold event, standing in the way of our getting out to the more welcoming cruising grounds offered by the waters along the barrier beaches.
We have two 'photo-ops' planned for the East River transit. If they work out: you'll see them here. If they don't work out - well then - our friends tried - and that means so much .... thank you in advance.
Out along the Great South Bay - the invitations to visit (and shower!) are building up .... we now have three - and want more! If you are able to follow the blog and see the RED PIN advance down the coast - that's where we expect to be. Don't be shy - contact us and we'll see if we can get together - that is how we will pick up some vital local knowledge. .... that is: local knowledge of the channels for the next leg ... and local knowledge as to the neat restaurants in the neighborhood. Perhaps we'll have a chance to do a Catboat Gam. That would be just great.
Finally: It Takes A Village. It really does. We have had such great support, suggestions, and practical help, in getting this adventure under way ... it is breathtaking. A thank you to those who have helped, are helping, and who have yet to be asked to help .... this 'village' is cooking.
Best now - until tomorrow at the RED PIN - Frank - and Roger !
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