We had originally planned to run up into Maine for a couple of weeks before heading south to meet mid-August obligations in Texas. However, the weather "up north" has been so marginal and unpredictable this year that we realized there would be constant time pressure, and perhaps scheduling issues if not able to travel almost every day. Therefore, with a weather forecast south of New England for a good travel week, we departed Boston the day after J. The Cape Cod Canal current turned favorable about 1500, which was perfect timing for our arrival from Boston. We passed through the canal, and anchored in Clark's Cove just south of New Bedford. The next morning we left Buzzard's Bay, and proceeded to Block Island, which would be our "jumping off" place for the ocean voyage to Cape May. After dropping the mooring early the following morning, we headed south, past Montauk Point on the eastern end of Long Island, and headed across all of the shipping lanes into New York harbor on a bee line for Cape May, NJ. About 27 hours after departing Block Island, we entered the Cape May Canal and transited to Delaware Bay. Weather here is definitely warmer than up north--in fact, with no breeze and high humidity, almost sweltering! We scrapped plans to anchor just west of the C&D Canal due to no breeze, and tied up to a marina in the canal where we could obtain shore power to run the air conditioner! After being up most of the night before, good sleep was essential.
The following day we traveled to Annapolis, where we spent a couple of nights, went sightseeing once again, and met with a lady who will re-upholster our salon cushions. We then traveled to Solomons, MD, where we will have some minor engine work done and leave the boat while we return to Texas for a visit.
Wednesday, July 26, 2017
New Bedford to Scituate to Boston July 6--14
We left New Bedford at sunrise (or a little before?) in order to get to, and through, the Cape Cod Canal with a favorable current. That meant that we needed to be out of the canal by 0900, which we accomplished. Texas Ranger then proceeded north along the Massachusetts coast past Plymouth, and entered Scituate Harbor about noon. We were assigned, and attached to, a mooring ball, and then rode the launch ashore to explore the town. The Good Life and Klassy Kadey arrived, and so all three crews enjoyed dinner together in a restaurant.
The following morning we were off early by launch and train to Boston. Then the MTA (subway) took us to the Charlie Store, where we obtained a "Senior Charlie Pass", allowing us to travel for $1.10 per trip instead of $2.75 per trip. We then took another ride on the MTA and a bus to Logan Airport to collect our seven year-old granddaughter, who had flown up alone from Houston. All three of us then rode the train (J travels free on train & MTA) back to Scituate, the local shuttle bus, and the launch to our boat in pouring rain. The boat rolled a lot that night with the weather, but by morning conditions were calm, and we took the boat to Boston. J helped read the chart, locate the markers, and watch for ships (the 1000 foot variety) who were also entering Boston Harbor. We docked at Constitution Marina, a few hundred yards from the U.S.S. Constitution, and spent a fantastic week touring Boston. We toured the Freedom Trail, Prudential Tower, Tea Party Museum, Museum of Science, Harvard, Mass General Hospital Ether Dome, Old Ironsides Museum, and more. She can navigate the subway system and airport like a pro! Perhaps her favorite attraction was the street jugglers performing outside Faneuil Hall. After a week or non-stop touring and lots of fun, J must return to Houston, and we must move on. One cannot afford to stay in Boston for long!
The following morning we were off early by launch and train to Boston. Then the MTA (subway) took us to the Charlie Store, where we obtained a "Senior Charlie Pass", allowing us to travel for $1.10 per trip instead of $2.75 per trip. We then took another ride on the MTA and a bus to Logan Airport to collect our seven year-old granddaughter, who had flown up alone from Houston. All three of us then rode the train (J travels free on train & MTA) back to Scituate, the local shuttle bus, and the launch to our boat in pouring rain. The boat rolled a lot that night with the weather, but by morning conditions were calm, and we took the boat to Boston. J helped read the chart, locate the markers, and watch for ships (the 1000 foot variety) who were also entering Boston Harbor. We docked at Constitution Marina, a few hundred yards from the U.S.S. Constitution, and spent a fantastic week touring Boston. We toured the Freedom Trail, Prudential Tower, Tea Party Museum, Museum of Science, Harvard, Mass General Hospital Ether Dome, Old Ironsides Museum, and more. She can navigate the subway system and airport like a pro! Perhaps her favorite attraction was the street jugglers performing outside Faneuil Hall. After a week or non-stop touring and lots of fun, J must return to Houston, and we must move on. One cannot afford to stay in Boston for long!
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| Scituate, MA Harbor & Lighthouse |
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| Throwing the Tea Overboard |
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| Tea Party Ship |
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| Paul Revere |
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| Veteran MTA Riders |
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| Headed to the Ivy League |
Monday, July 10, 2017
Newport, RI--New Bedford, MA June 29--July 5
Kadey-Krogen Yachts, the builder of Texas Ranger, celebrated its 40th anniversary with a wonderful party and rendezvous of about 40 yachts in Newport, RI June 29--July 2. The gathering was at Fort Adams in Newport Harbor, and featured many great gatherings and meals, including a very traditional New England Clambake. Also, those who wished (including this Captain--on Intrepid) got to sail on former 12-meter America's Cup winners of a few decades ago. Though the wind was stiff, it was an exhilarating romp in the bay!
Next, we were off to New Bedford. Having visited Nantucket and Edgartown, this is the last, and greatest, of the New England whaling towns. We had to vacate the docks at Fort Adams to make way for the 4th of July reservations, and wanted to be off the water for the holiday. New Bedford is still a serious working town fishing village, and on July 4 we were treated to a fantastic fireworks display a few hundred yards across the harbor, with the displays of surrounding towns visible around the horizon. The Whaling Museum is second to none, and the Seamen's Bethel where Herman Melville worshiped before going to sea is still there. His pew was duly noted, as well as the epitaph of the sea captain upon which the character Captain Ahab is based.
Next, we were off to New Bedford. Having visited Nantucket and Edgartown, this is the last, and greatest, of the New England whaling towns. We had to vacate the docks at Fort Adams to make way for the 4th of July reservations, and wanted to be off the water for the holiday. New Bedford is still a serious working town fishing village, and on July 4 we were treated to a fantastic fireworks display a few hundred yards across the harbor, with the displays of surrounding towns visible around the horizon. The Whaling Museum is second to none, and the Seamen's Bethel where Herman Melville worshiped before going to sea is still there. His pew was duly noted, as well as the epitaph of the sea captain upon which the character Captain Ahab is based.
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Oliver Hazard Perry
Newport, RI
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| The "Big" Krogens |
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| New England Clambake |
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| K-K 40th Anniversary Party |
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| Henry The Navigator |
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| New Bedford Harbor |
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| New Bedford, MA |
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| New Bedford Whaling Museum |
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| 1/2 Size Model |
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| Melville's Pew |
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| Basis For Capt. Ahab |
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| Whaling Museum |
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| Seamen's Bethel |
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| Seen One of These Lately? |
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