The winds were brisk, and the sound was a bit choppy, the progress a tad slow against the current, but it was good to be sailing. It drizzled a bit and it rained a bit--we love our cockpit enclosure. Lisa was able to take a nap while Zak and I sailed. When the winds and the rain started to pick up some more, the weather babe emerged and informed us that the new forecast was predicting damaging wind, large hail, with a slight risk for a tornado (a typical daily summer forecast on the Chesapeake, while in Dallas it would be sunny and 103 degrees). So we opted to go to Oyster Bay since it was closer than Manhasset Bay, and we could get there before dark (lobster pots are a problem).
We saw 1 system mostly miss us to the north, and one system miss us to the south. The highest gust we saw was only in the upper 30s, so we dodged the bullet.
Eight and a half hours after leaving the Thimbles, we had the anchor down in Oyster Bay. We had a bit of rain that evening, but nothing severe. We were to meet the Whites the following morning, and were thankful that it was to be a sunny and pleasant day.
Eight and a half hours after leaving the Thimbles, we had the anchor down in Oyster Bay. We had a bit of rain that evening, but nothing severe. We were to meet the Whites the following morning, and were thankful that it was to be a sunny and pleasant day.
A proud Grandpa Zak with his 6 week old grandson Holden.
Zak and Holden with the perpetrators, Will and Sarah White.
Will and Sarah are doing a great job with their new baby.
Will and Sarah are doing a great job with their new baby.
That would be Greeeaaat Aunt Lisa.
We had a really good day visiting Will, Sarah, and Holden.
The following day we left Oyster Bay and headed east to Port Jefferson, where we anchored just outside the large mooring field. As soon as we dropped anchor, we watched as a large sailboat weighed anchor to leave the bay. He seemed to be having some difficulty raising the anchor, and when it came up there was a tire hooked to it.
We had a really good day visiting Will, Sarah, and Holden.
The following day we left Oyster Bay and headed east to Port Jefferson, where we anchored just outside the large mooring field. As soon as we dropped anchor, we watched as a large sailboat weighed anchor to leave the bay. He seemed to be having some difficulty raising the anchor, and when it came up there was a tire hooked to it.
We were closer than we wanted to be to an empty barge mooring. We were relieved when this guy showed up with no barges, otherwise we would probably have needed to move.
A lot of sailors told us not to miss Port Jefferson, but the guide did not make it sound that great. The dinghy dock cost $10 a day, and we did not find a laundromat, but other than that we really liked it. We like to walk a lot, and there are steep roads lined with beautiful trees. The town is pretty with lots of small shops.
One thing we've noticed in New York, and especially Long Island, is that the credit card does not work too well. All the small stores and most of the restaurants only take cash. The grocery stores will take the credit card. We don't know if it's a New York thing, or a result of Obamafinance.
A lot of sailors told us not to miss Port Jefferson, but the guide did not make it sound that great. The dinghy dock cost $10 a day, and we did not find a laundromat, but other than that we really liked it. We like to walk a lot, and there are steep roads lined with beautiful trees. The town is pretty with lots of small shops.
One thing we've noticed in New York, and especially Long Island, is that the credit card does not work too well. All the small stores and most of the restaurants only take cash. The grocery stores will take the credit card. We don't know if it's a New York thing, or a result of Obamafinance.
Kind of hazy leaving Port Jefferson the following morning.
Zak at the Helm.
We were headed to the east end of Long Island, referred to as the fish tail--because the shape resembles a fish tail. Our plan was to anchor close to a gravel beach on Orient Harbor.
At the end of Long Island you wrap around south and then west to enter the fish tail. Shelter Island is in the middle of the fish tail, and provides a pretty cool cruising ground. Upon leaving Long Island Sound you go through a narrow cut between Orient Point (the eastern tip of Long Island) and Plum Island to the east. This narrow cut is called Plum Gut, and it's very strong tidal currents make it the key to the timing of your trip. Since we were east bound, we needed to arrive at Plum Gut on an ebb tide. We didn't mess up and are glad we didn't. We had a perfectly calm day, but the action of the water in the cut made it obvious you would not want to be going against the tide--or in bad weather.
We anchored off the gravel beach, which according to the guide we could dinghy to and walk on--which we did. They had some confusing signs, and we found out later that you can no longer dinghy to the beach and take a walk. The Greenies are "protecting" some kind of bird and only those with permits can enter, because those without permits will make them die.
The next day we took the dinghy to Greenport (a very long dinghy ride) to check out the town. We also had to find the train station where Zak was to leave from in a couple of days.
The following day we upped anchor, made a brief appearance in Three Mile Harbor, and then circumnavigated Shelter Island. We ended up taking a mooring for 1 night in Stirling Creek which is in Greenport.
The following morning we were in the dinghy at 4:38 am (we missed our 4:30 target by 8 minutes) to get Zak to the train by 5:00 am. The schedule said the train was to leave at 5:30, but the locals (including a police officer) said it left anytime between 5:00 and 5:30 depending on the mood of the conductor.
At the station, there is a marquee that reads "Alec Baldwin says to watch the gap" (between the boarding platform and the train). Sheeeesh. Normally I would step in the gap, but since Alec Baldwin says not to, I think I better not.
That went off without a hitch, and Zak watched the gap--thanks for the heads up Alec. It was sad to see Zak go, we had a really good week with him. He had a long day, arriving in Austin sometime after 9:00 pm.
We were able to do laundry, and get a pump out, then sailed to Three Mile Harbor where we anchored. Once again bad weather was in the forecast, but nothing happened--that's a good thing, not a bad thing.
We hiked to East Hampton (3 miles each way), walked past all the fancy stores, then left the busy area and walked down some quiet roads with very impressive estates. We never get tired of the large and beautiful trees.
Next stop is Sag Harbor and a mail stop.
We were headed to the east end of Long Island, referred to as the fish tail--because the shape resembles a fish tail. Our plan was to anchor close to a gravel beach on Orient Harbor.
At the end of Long Island you wrap around south and then west to enter the fish tail. Shelter Island is in the middle of the fish tail, and provides a pretty cool cruising ground. Upon leaving Long Island Sound you go through a narrow cut between Orient Point (the eastern tip of Long Island) and Plum Island to the east. This narrow cut is called Plum Gut, and it's very strong tidal currents make it the key to the timing of your trip. Since we were east bound, we needed to arrive at Plum Gut on an ebb tide. We didn't mess up and are glad we didn't. We had a perfectly calm day, but the action of the water in the cut made it obvious you would not want to be going against the tide--or in bad weather.
We anchored off the gravel beach, which according to the guide we could dinghy to and walk on--which we did. They had some confusing signs, and we found out later that you can no longer dinghy to the beach and take a walk. The Greenies are "protecting" some kind of bird and only those with permits can enter, because those without permits will make them die.
The next day we took the dinghy to Greenport (a very long dinghy ride) to check out the town. We also had to find the train station where Zak was to leave from in a couple of days.
The following day we upped anchor, made a brief appearance in Three Mile Harbor, and then circumnavigated Shelter Island. We ended up taking a mooring for 1 night in Stirling Creek which is in Greenport.
The following morning we were in the dinghy at 4:38 am (we missed our 4:30 target by 8 minutes) to get Zak to the train by 5:00 am. The schedule said the train was to leave at 5:30, but the locals (including a police officer) said it left anytime between 5:00 and 5:30 depending on the mood of the conductor.
At the station, there is a marquee that reads "Alec Baldwin says to watch the gap" (between the boarding platform and the train). Sheeeesh. Normally I would step in the gap, but since Alec Baldwin says not to, I think I better not.
That went off without a hitch, and Zak watched the gap--thanks for the heads up Alec. It was sad to see Zak go, we had a really good week with him. He had a long day, arriving in Austin sometime after 9:00 pm.
We were able to do laundry, and get a pump out, then sailed to Three Mile Harbor where we anchored. Once again bad weather was in the forecast, but nothing happened--that's a good thing, not a bad thing.
We hiked to East Hampton (3 miles each way), walked past all the fancy stores, then left the busy area and walked down some quiet roads with very impressive estates. We never get tired of the large and beautiful trees.
Next stop is Sag Harbor and a mail stop.
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