Off to Connecticut
23 September 2007 | Branford, Conn
Jim Lea
On Friday we rose to another beautiful early fall day with a light breeze that had, unanticipated by the weather forecasters, swung back to the east. Actually, I was wakened again by the anchor alarm when the wind came up about 6 am, so I just watched the day start in the quiet of Coecles Harbor. After breakfast, we dropped our mooring and motored out into Gardner Bay and across the five miles to Three Mile Harbor. I have no idea why it is called Three Mile Harbor, but Gardeners Bay takes its name from Gardeners Island, outside Shelter Island in the tail of Long Island. It is reported to be the oldest continuously owned piece of property in the US, purchased by David Gardner in 1650 from the indians for a blanket, some trinkets, a bottle of rum and a dog. And it is still owned by the family, who are reported to guard it jealously, so that landing is strictly prohibited. There is a story that David Rockefeller tried to land, and when met by the caretaker, was told "I don't care if your name is Astorbilt, you'll have to leave"! Anyway, we decided not to land and sailed on to Three Mile Harbor and motored in its two mile entrance channel past marinas and mansions. In its totally protected harbor, we anchored and dinghied ashore with the bikes, and biked into East Hampton. That was a disappointment, as we were biking on a very busy road, and in East Hampton, found nothing of interest. But on the way back we found a very nice fruit and vegetable stand where we bought some nice supplies. Then we spent the afternoon exploring the harbor, about the size of Charlottetown's, and then back aboard for dinner. We had a great, but not low-fat dinner of Chicken in cream and pesto... not for those concerned about cholesterol! Our plan was for an early start for Branford, where my cousin Anne Miller and her husband Dave live, so we set the alarm for six am. And at six, I looked out and could see exactly nothing! The fog was so thick, that I couldn't see a mooring ball that I knew was 30' off our bow. So we had breakfast, hoping for it to clear. But it didn't, so at 7 am, already one hour late, we set out with Jeannie watching the chart plotter (to tell us where we were) and the radar (to tell us who else was out there with us). And it took us an hour to feel our way out of Three Mile Harbor. Then we were able to make time across Gardeners Bay to Plum Gut, where we were trying to beat the change of tide, arriving about 9 am. All the tidal waters of Long Island Sound have to pass through a relatively small body of water at the east end of Long Island, passing through either The Race or Plum Gut. And because of this, the currents can be terrific! So we had hoped to make it to Plum Gut at slack tide, about 8:00 am. So arriving at 9 am, we had to push our way through a 3 knot opposing current. ANd in th flat calm, we just pushed on through, although very slowly. But once through, the opposing current slowed (but never did disappear) and we enjoyed a nice sail up the sound to Branford. At Branford, we had a reservation at the Brian and Johnson Marina, with about 1200 slips, and charging $3.00/ft, the most we have ever paid! But we arrived in mid-afternoon, did a much-needed laundry, and then met cousin Anne and Dave, who tool us to dinner at the Pine Orchard Club. Lots of fun, and a great dinner. Then we were back aboard for a nice quiet night at the dock, the first time since we left Maine. Tomorrow we plan to meet Nicola Peddle (who spent a summer with us in Charlottetown over 20 tears ago) and her family, then off to Port Jefferson.