TEXAS RANGER: 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.