0005 at Anchor
June 26, 2013
One of the reasons we are doing this is the reward of such a very early morning experience. I could not sleep so I went topside at 0005 hours just to sit and watch. We are tucked up in the outer harbor of Fisher’s Islands Westport where the winds are coming from the land over our boat then into Long Island Sound. When we retired, the winds were on the lively side and Why Knot was bobbing in the confused water from the long fetch to shore. Storms were approaching from the west and I expected to spend most of the night on “anchor watch” which means checking landmarks to make sure we do not drag anchor toward some rocky coast. When I looked out at the very start of this day, the moon, almost full, greeted me as if to say that for now, all is well. The winds were making the usual sound in the wire but the sea was flat. Anchor lights from the other three boats that stopped here are like low stars that move with the sea. Except for the low moan of the wind in the rigging, there are no other sounds. Even the usual noise of the water slapping the hull is minimal. In short, the reward is calm, moonlight that one never sees unless awakened by some force that seems to say “I have put this together for you if only you would come see”. More storms approach from the west and I may be awakened again tonight to stand safe watch but for now, I am in awe of what the sea has given us, if only for a brief time.