Travels aboard Obsession: July 2014

A TOUR OF OUR NEIGHBORHOOD

July 28, 2014

We are presently in Vineyard Haven after stops in Newport and Cuttyhunk. The Newport stop was unplanned - in that both David and I had to make emergency visits to the dentist. The trip from Block Island to Newport was not a very pleasant one - very rough until we reached Beavertail. We even took water over the stern quarter. But Obsession and David handled the rough and confused seas very well. Once on the mooring in Newport we settled in for an afternoon of music at Kings Park. We outfitted the dinghy with a clicky chair, a tube chair and a cooler with wine and rum and a package of Goldfish. We sat back and enjoyed a front row seat, and some tunes.

We had front row, unobstructed view seats - no dogs, no kids!

A totally random shot, but I think it shows how
relaxed and comfortable we were.

We had a beautiful sail to Cuttyhunk from Newport the next day. Tide and winds with us, Obsession cut through the water and we sat back and read, napped and enjoyed the views of the Ocean Drive, Newport Beach, Second Beach, Sachuest and Sakonnet Points and marveled as Cuttyhunk Island loomed closer and closer. We anchored in our favorite spot, settled in for Raw Bar and dinner aboard. Our evening's neighbors were Lady Maryland, Tabor Boy, Shenandoah and Tree of Life. We took a dinghy ride to get closer shots of them - but it was quite windy and getting dark, so they aren't the best.

And of course - the obligatory sunset picture. I'm always amazed at how beautiful the night sky is when we are cruising. It seems our eyes are always turned toward the sky - looking for storms, clouds, clear skies, as well as sunrises and sunsets, and stars late at night.

Our plan to head to the Vineyard the very next day was quickly modified when friends Cleve and Bethany and Adam arrived. It's always special to see them - we call them "Our Cuttyhunk Friends." The weekend was a busy one in Cuttyhunk, boats coming and going, anchoring, and re-anchoring, dragging anchor, picking up moorings etc. We walked the beach, gathered wood, stones and sea glass, enjoyed fresh hot doughnuts at the cafe, fresh swordfish from Captain Bruce, and a late night campfire on the beach. These are the kind of days spent in Cuttyhunk we will long remember.

What a great bunch- "Cuttyhunk Friends"
Adam, Bethany, Cleve and David

What would Cuttyhunk be without lobster pots?

I was up early - 5:15am for this Cuttyhunk Sunrise

Eyes to the sky - storm's a comin"

Cuttyhunk Sunset - can you see the sun shining through
the windows of the house on the hill?

Always looking for "gadgets" that come in handy
at the campfire. Thanks Bethany for these
cute and useful wine glass holders.

There's just something about water and fire.

Vineyard Haven beckons. It wouldn't be a summer without a visit here. We've spent time here every summer since we first bought Obsession 29. With kids, without kids, with family and friends. A leisurely sail through Quicks Hole and up the Vineyard Sound under jib only. Call us lazy if you want, but we have the time and you can't beat the views of the Elizabeth Islands on one side and the Western Coast of Martha's Vineyard. There are ferries, fishing boats, large cruising yachts, and yes - sometimes we even cross the path of friends on their sailboats. Our plan when we get to Vineyard Haven is to anchor, meet up with our friend Steve Myrick, enjoy some of our favorite haunts, visit the library and pick up a few groceries, fuel and ice before heading to Onset and points North and East.

Always - in Vineyard Haven you see classic yachts sailing
in and out - that would include the Shenandoah and Alabama

New meets old - Island Home Ferry. It wouldn't be
Vineyard Haven without the ferries.

Mad Martha's has moved. It's now in what used to be
the old Moxie restaurant that burned down a few years
ago - right next to where the Bunch of Grapes Bookstore was
until they took over the old Bowl and Board across the street.

Lobster Fritters at the Blue Canoe - a NEW favorite restaurant.

Our view at dinner last night - Obsession is in the picture in
the distance on anchor. So not only was dinner delicious, but
we had the best view of the harbor.

Rain, thunder storms and strong winds keep us here until tomorrow when we will head to Onset, at the head of Buzzards Bay just at the entrance to the Cape Cod Canal. They are celebrating 100 years of the Canal with fireworks Tuesday night, we will enjoy them and then head through the Canal on Wednesday. Scituate, Gloucester, Portland, Jewel and Diamond Islands are on our list of places to visit.

Not sure if this video downloaded or not - if so, it's a 360 of Cuttyhunk.

July 16, 2014 - A NEW SEASON BEGINS

It's that time again - We are preparing for another cruise to Maine on board Obsession, and I plan to keep a blog of our trip again this year, like I did in 2011. We will re-visit some of the places we've enjoyed in the past, and plan to include some new stops. This year WE WILL NOT sail overnight. (See post Thursday, August 4, 2011 titled "I promise I won't ask you to do another overnight sail, honey".)

http://obsession-travelsaboardobsession.blogspot.com/2011/08/i-promise-i-wont-ask-you-to-do-another.html

Our hope is to spend a few days in the Vineyard, Boston Harbor Islands and in Gloucester before actually heading for Casco Bay and then Penobscot Bay. But, if you're a sailor, you know that many things can happen to change your plans.

Obsession was re-launched in April (we didn't haul her out of the water for the winter) and we spent considerable time getting her ready for the season, performing routine maintenance, repairing and fixing things.

In my 2012 season blog I introduced our two stowaways Cosmo and Zin who were going to be the voice of my blog. That year our trip to Maine was cancelled and I didn't continue writing, this year I hope that Cosmo and Zin will add their commentary and perspective to my blog. Here is a sampling of their work.

http://obsession-travelsaboardobsession.blogspot.com/2012/06/ins-and-ings-of-getting-obsession-ready.html

Since we moved aboard in June we have spent time on the dock with our friends, made two trips to Newport, a trip to Cuttyhunk and one to Block Island. We also rode out the first hurricane of the season in our slip, and as I write this we are waiting for the strong thunderstorms with heavy rain to pass so we can leave for one more trip to Block Island with our Marina friends.

Below are some pictures of our first month and a half of living aboard Obsession at G-35, Borden Light Marina. After tonight we will probably not be dockside for a few weeks.
Enjoy.

The Marina experienced a power surge and as a result
the battery charger/inverter had to be replaced.
David spent many hours trouble shooting the problem
and removing and reinstalling it and the
new battery.

One evening we took fellow dock mates Pam and Mike
and Cathy and Ray for a harbor tour. Thanks so
much Ray for being our own private tour guide
of Fall River

On our trip home from Block Island we experienced thick fog A tug
appeared out of the blue - we knew it was towing something.
Lo, and behold - the barge appeared. We made a quick u-turn!!