| Seaesta |
|
 |
| September 21-30 |
| September 21 Sailed from Plymouth to the Cape Cod Canal. We actually had to slow down our sail since we wanted to go through the canal with the tide. After the canal we sailed down Buzzards Bay. Unfortunately we discovered that when the wind opposes the tide on the bay large steep square waves result. We took quite a pounding for a couple of hours withe the wind on the nose. We noticed all the other sailboats we had seen earlier were not on the water anymore. It was comforting to see a Coast Guard helicopter circle around us over head a few times, they seemed to be checking if we were handling everything alright. Finally we stopped at a scenic cove called Hadley Harbor just off Woods Hole . September 22. We sailed a wonderful sail with the wind and current down nantucket sound to Cohasit Bay. There we met a very nice gentleman by the name of Austin. Austin owned Seaesta for 30 years prior to sellinig her to us, he was anxious to see the vessel again. We spent a wonderful few hours going over the changes we had made to Seaesta and discussing where we should stop on our southward passage. I felt very blessed to have met Austin. He brought us to a store to do groceries and then out to eat. We were able to tie up at the yacht club over night. September 23 Today was a day of extreams. Seaesta traveled from 0 kts to 9.3kts all in the same day. So we got up early Austin stopped by the vessel and generously gave us info on cruising the east coast. After leaving the dock the narrow channel makes a 90 degree turn and then heads out into the bay. Unfortunatly I did not see part of the turn and headed right into a sandbank. We sat stuck leaning at 45 degrees on our side for a few hours while we waited for the tide to come back in. A yachtclub member came over and said don't worry everybody does this. We used the time cleaning the bottom of the hull and changing the zincs. Once Seaesta was free we set sail for Hadley Harbor again and clocked 9.3kts going through Woods Hole with the current.(that's fast for a sailboat folks!) September 24 Evan caught a mojaro fish today but unfortunatly called it "Bob". When it came time to put "Bob" in the freezer as bait, Evan started crying. Evan couldn't kill the fish so "Bob" went on swimming in the bay. I actually got to read the first three chapters of Michelle Libby's book-"Dog Day's of Summer" (see www.michellelibby.com) something I have been meaning to do for some time now. A sailors life with kids can be very busy. September 25 Sailed to Newport, Rhode Island. September 26-27 Spent a nice time in Newport, though it rained most of the time. We visited the Mansions and studied examples of Scrimshaw. I cant imagine having time to do scrimshaw and basket weaving as sailors did in ages past. Obviously the crew was larger back then or they didn't have to hold school on board. I am navigator, cook, teacher, sail hand, mother and occassionally admiral. No wonder I am feeling stretched thin. September 28 Sailed from Newport RI to Stonnington CT. September 29 The wind picked up and Oh how it blew. A gale warning was issued today along with a craft advisory. We only sailed 5 miles today over to Fisher Island. Fisher Island reminds me a lot of Peaks Island Maine. The kids made Scrimshaw in boat school art class. September 30 Sailed to Orient Harbor. We all have our strengths and weakness's, I cannot tell distances I just see colors like a painting and James should not navigate anymore. A very frustrating day. |
 |
| Newport Bridge at night |