From Trip South Fall 2011
Except these islands still have 40 degree overnight temps! Yep, we've moved less miles in these past 5 days than we would move in 1 day in the camper! We were really glad to get out of Maine and it's smothering fog and dampness- it was a cold day but we pulled in to Gloucester after dark and smelled fried seafood all the way in the channel. Then the next day we booked on down to Onset, bucking the current in the Cape Cod Canal, pulled in to Onset in the dark once again and then quick dropped the dinghy in the water & hustled ashore so we could meet up with some old friends, Mark & Judy who just completed their circumnavigation. We picked their brains over so-so italian food and then they showered us with pumpkin muffins, local beer, thumb drives full of great cruising info, paper charts & enthusiasm.

The following day we tried to cram in as much as we could- got fuel & water, got milk, did laundry, went for a short walk, and then got to see some more great friends- Dan & Liz & Charlie. For some reason Onset is a big meet-up place for us. We really appreciate the effort made to get together and we both feel the same way- it is all about knowing who you care a lot about and who cares about you. That is what warms your heart. Dan's mom got up early in the morning and took this picture of us leaving Onset Bay since their house looks right out over the channel.

Then yesterday we pressed on getting an early start, hoping to reach Block Island and be ready for the next weather window to make for the Chesapeake. It turned out to be a crash & bash beat into 30+ knots and general misery. So, abort plans and head in to Newport area, pick up a free late season mooring since no other fool would be out to collect the money, then today we came over to Block on flat seas. You would've never known yesterday was so ridiculous. We finally caught up to a friend Tim on Slick from our old marina who is hoping to reach the Pacific also. We all went ashore and took a long walk on Block Island's greenways. Much of the island is Nature Conservancy land and there are lovely green trails that crisscross over it. I've been wanting to come back here for a long time. To think that the last time I went ashore here was somewhere around 1995 when we had our Cape Dory. Sailing out to this island from the Sakonnet River felt like an ocean passage!

Thursday 10/27

Happy Birthday Dad!!!!!!!!!!
I tried to post this last night but the internet connection failed. Today it was totally crappy and we hardly did anything. Now there is a storm coming Sat with 50+ kts of wind so we have to flee from here since it is too exposed. I think we'll head over to Long Island. I love this lifestyle!