To get the full scope of this trip please select “older posts”, several times to get back to the beginning of the blog. Enjoy !

We left Block Island around 9am and got into New Bedford harbor around 3pm. This section of the cruise was the roughest… not only because it was the last day and I really didn’t want to end the trip but it was also the roughest seas… not including those wicked thunderstorms.

If I had the time, I would do it all over again. Perhaps to another destination like Chesapeake Bay, Florida, or the Maine coast next time. Besides visiting historic areas and experiencing new places I learned the value of R & R. After relaxing for several weeks, as well as you can when cruising, I could feel a calm that I did not realize was even possible. I want to hold onto the feeling as long as I can till the next long cruise opportunity…that one may be on our motorcycle. TB

We spent the last three full days of this journey anchored in the great salt pond on Block Island.
Part of the time was spent rafted with three other Mainships. Raftups are a party atmosphere where you visit each boat and sample appetizers and cocktails that each host provides. My son Michael and his girlfriend Beth came out to join us on Saturday as well.

We were blessed with smooth seas and fair winds. It is a series of ~60 mile runs eastward. Our first stop was at Pirates cove in Port Jefferson on LI.

What a great place to anchor. Protected on three sides, great for swimming and walking the beach.

Up at first light to beat some predicted storms we had a long run of about 50+ miles to Niantic. We headed up the Niantic river for a secure anchorage close to some sailboats. When T-storms are coming I like being anchored near the sailboats for the obvious reason.
We rode out a T storm that evening and stayed at that anchorage overnight.
After a rainy start we headed out towards Block Island our last stop before heading to home port. Passing Fischers Island and “the race” there are some big boats to contend with like this fast Block Island Ferry. TB

After viewing the Statue of Liberty Ellis Island and the NYC skyline we headed up the East river passed the UN through Hellgate and out towards the Bronx.

Believe it or not this marina is in the Bronx. Contrary to what most people think the Bronx is not all high rise or brownstone attached homes. The crew change went smoothly only after the required NY pizza meal at one of my old haunts. Dave and Pete headed home while Mary got back on board for the last leg. Long Island sound, Block Island sound, Rhode Island sound and Buzzards bay.