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So after slogging along on the outside of Long Island, with wind direction not improving, and with the waves coming at us, slowing our speed dramatically, at some points to as little as .4kts, we reviewed the latest weather and wind reports, and made the decision to turn around and head the 36 miles back to Montauk, where there is a sheltered harbor where we could wait out the upcoming gale force winds.  We arrived at about midnight, and set anchor. After some discussion about our next day’s approach, we all tucked in for the night and awakened in the morning to howling winds.
The decision was made that we would head across the sound into the harbor of New London (for those of you who know me (Lynne), a little bit of old home week in the old stomping grounds!) A couple of phone calls later, to my folks, and to our long time family friends who live in Noank - we had a rough plan in place.  At Jon W’s recommendation, we put in a call to Crocker Boatyard for a berth for the evening, and using the internet connection we’d secured in Montauk, put together a list of items to purchase at boater’s nirvana - Defender.  Amongst the items on the list, a new port navigation light, as ours had been ripped off by one of the waves on our way down through Buzzards Bay, a new bosun’s chair, and a few other odds and ends that we had decided we should have on our trip.  We set out at about noon to cross the Sound and come through the Race with the appropriate tidal shift, and did a combination of sailing and a little motor sailing to get us to our goal on target.  We came through the Race at about 3:15, plenty of time to make it to Crocker’s and to meet up with Jon for a trip to Defender to pick up our items and perhaps a few other things.

Coming into New London harbor, at 4:02 - right on schedule, we got a little visit… from our friends in the USCG, who boarded us to conduct an inspection. Whee. Well, for the most part, all was in order… save the flares, which were all between 6-13 months out of date.
To say the inspection was thorough is an understatement, but it caused a pretty major delay to our schedule.  I called Jon on his cell to ask him the favor of running to Defender for us to pick up our supplies (in front of the Coasties) and then called Jon back to ask him if he could go BACK to Defender to pick us up flares, as ours weren’t in compliance. Whoof.  Thank goodness for Jon, who graciously turned around and went all the way back to Defender, and picked us up a new set of flares… and I reported to the Coast Guard gentlemen, that our brand new flares from Defender would be awaiting us at the dock at Crocker’s as soon as we arrived (hint hint, we’d like to get back underway! since it was now 5:39) Finally the Coast Guard provided us with our boarding slip (and gave us a pass since our flares were being brought to us), and let us get back underway.  By this point, we were anxious to get ashore, meet up with Jon, and get settled in for the evening.  However, our adventure was not over by a long shot. We called the bridge and were given admittance into Shaws Cove, only to discover that Crocker’s had closed for the evening, and we were in total lock down! Jon was able to get into the boatyard due to the assistance of one of the other boat owners who happened to be entering the boatyard, and showed up triumphant with all of our supplies from Defender, including a new set of flares.  After showing Jon the boat, the decision was made that I’d go back with Jon to their house to visit, shower and do some laundry/dry out some of our wet stuff, and the boys would remain behind to repair the port light, and a few other items on the fix-it list. All well and good, right? The woman who’d let Jon in told him “oh yeah, to get back out just hit the button over there and the fence will open”.  Button? what button?

We conducted a THOROUGH search of the pre-indicated area… no button…which left Jon and I throwing the laundry over the fence, and then scaling the fence to get out!  what a hoot! Jon and I went back to their house, where we had a yummy Cove’s chowder dinner and some cheese, crackers and BEER! and had a lovely evening catching up (in between my trips to the washer and dryer ).  There is something so wonderful about catching up with long time friends, and it was so nice to have a little break in a home away from home.  After dinner, and laundry and a shower (yay!!) Jon and I prepared to head back over to the boat, with a huge bag of clean warm clothes and bedding, and a really nice goodie bag from Jon!! (and Judy - who I was sorry not to get to see!) Along the way, a little stop for a treat for the boys, 12″ steak bomb grinders from Mystic Pizza!  After picking up the grinders, we took a quick detour, down Orchard Lane (where I lived when I was a little girl) and saw Rob’s house, and the house I grew up in, and then on our way back to the boat with the truck full of goodies.  We got back to the boatyard and called the boys to come up with the cart.  Jon and I heaved the bag of laundry over the fence, and passed through the goodie bags.  A handshake through the fence for the guys, and a big hug from me to Jon, and I went back over the fence into the boatyard.
While the boys chowed down on their subs, we formulated a plan to leave in the wee hours of the morning - 3AM so that we would hopefully arrive at Hell Gate in NY in time to pass through… and then tucked into bed for a few hours of sleep before we headed out.

So after chilling out in Sandwich while the guys worked on the engine, we tucked in for the night docksides.  We’d gone back and forth about whether we would get up around 3AM to catch the next tide through the Canal, or whether we’d sit it out until noonish today to cut through.  At 3 I heard Mark get up (and the steady downpour of the rainstorm outside), and rolled over to catch a little more shut eye. zzzzzzzzzz… at 4 AM, I heard Mark get up again, and the crackle of the VHF coming on-line…and… no rain!

I groggily rolled/climbed out of the nest of blankets, climbed into my foulies and boots, and stumbled out into the salon, hoping that Bri would be able to catch a little more sleep to kick this cold.  Aa cheerful Mark was setting about firing up the engine for departure.  As anyone who knows me well knows, I don’t believe that the words “good” and “morning” should ever be used in the same sentence, but I wiped the sleep from my eyes and bundled up a couple more layers before stepping outside to help Mark cast off.  We slipped easily out into the Canal, and began the process of motoring along.  Very peaceful and calm.

We fired up the stove and made some coffee (I mean rocket fuel!  I need to get the hang of this new french press!) and Mark and I continued on under the Sagamore and the Bourne bridges… making decent time with the motor.  We came out into the mouth of Buzzards Bay just as the sun was starting to peek through the clouds, and when Brian emerged from down below, I went back downstairs to make more coffee (less rocket fuel like this time)  and left the boys in charge while I hunkered down for a little nap…

I awoke about an hour and a half later to discover that the guys were motor sailing along, and in fact about to turn off the engine and just sail.  However, as well as making the decision to capitalize on the 24kn breeze, Mark was checking into our upcoming weather… and the discussion began about whether we should think about hunkering down to weather out the SW gale that was approaching.  While this discussion was underway, I made our first hot meal here on the boat… scrambled eggs with ham and cheese wrapped in a tortilla for easy eating!  Very exciting!Knowing that Buzzards Bay can get ugly when the wind is from the SW, and with predictions that the wind would be increasing to gusts of up to 40kn per hour, we took a look at our charts, had a brief discussion, and decided that our best course of action was to make the call into NEFF and to my Dad about getting a berth in the sheltered harbor of New Bedford.  A couple of calls later, and about an hour and a half of sailing under our belts, we entered into New Bedford harbor, and were given an ample berth at the State Pier where the Schooner Ernestina is usually docked.  We were greeted by Paul from NEFF and Rick from the State Pier, who got us settled in at the dock a hot shower, and a warm welcome. Tonight we sleep here and see what tomorrow brings us as far as our weather and wind goes, and decide from there when we’ll head off again to continue our way South.

Now, after some more naps, and calls to sort out a few odds and ends, we’re working on our dinner decision…