June 16-17

Now this is cruising.  Port Washington and being put off schedule has taught us a lot…to slow down…enjoy where you are and…take time to relax.  There’s not a lot to do here as far as sightseeing, but the boating community is fascinating.  It began when we approached and could see boats dotting the horizon on white mooring balls.  These are locals who have nowhere else to put their boats for the season so they bring them here from as far away as New York City, forty-five minutes by car.  Then there are the twenty yellow moorings for transients like us, who come in for a day or two, or more.  Amenities that cruisers would normally pay for in other places, on moorings, or in marinas, are free here.  Water taxis start early for those live aboards who commute to jobs in the city.  When summoned the pump out boat comes within thirty minutes, manned by a proud Long Islander giving updates about the community events and advice about the best restaurants.

So you ask, what have we done for three days?  Thursday, after coming off the turbulent sound, was regroup and figure out what-to-do-next day.

Friday afternoon we decided to have a dark-n-stormy and as Dennis is sitting in the cockpit a guy on a beautiful eggshell blue-hulled Hinckley next to us says, “Hi!.”  We talked for a while and then asked him over for a drink.  Hot and tired he quickly accepted.  His name is Levi from Dominique (Hey mon!), doing deck work on the 1960s vintage Hinckley, and grateful for a cold one.  He proceeds to tell stories about his buddy he grew up with who was fixing up a wooden sailboat.  He said, "I told him to get rid of that boat, it is no good." The buddy finally takes the boat out with some other guys and they are pounding into the waves for days (we know about that).  At the tiller when he sees the name of his boat go floating by on a plank, this is not good.  Then he explains how they abandoned ship and were adrift for thirty-five days.  There is a lot more to his story and believe me it was very animated.   So for only a dark-n-stormy, our entertainment for the day was priceless.

Louie’s on the waterfront where the docks were filled with boats and people from far and wide coming to enjoy the beautiful evening beckoned to us for an dinner out of the galley.  The lobster bisque was delicious.  Later there was a free Symphonic Band concert by the town dock and the strains floated to us across the water.  Not one, but two sunset cannon salutes sounded as the daylight slowly slipped into darkness.   

On Saturday we went to the Town Dock and experienced the “blessing of the fleet,” a tradition started many years ago by Catholic fishermen wanting a prosperous and safe season.  A parade of about fifty boats of all varieties passed by after the Father read scriptures and prayers on their behalf. 

Back at the boat we watched sailboat races and not from afar.  These were class boats, around 20 feet with crews of 4.  Their tack back to their starting line brought the boats right through the mooring field.  One boat had to do a quick tack to avoid hitting us!  Such variety among the boaters here; Everything from two families who rented a runabout for a half day to a J. Paul Getty sailing yacht.  This unexpected bump in the Long Island Sound became a wonderful and relaxing cruisers experience for us.   

Today, Father’s Day, totally rested, ready to try the Sound and the East River again, we are returning to New York, actually the New Jersey side of the Hudson.  Chet, Dennis’ brother is picking us up for dinner with Wendy and nephew, Matt, in their home in Livingston.  I don’t think they have ever had the chance to be together on Father’s Day, so this will indeed be another sweet memory to savor.

Happy Dads Day to all!