Well, that does it, nobody on board but me. I dropped Barry off in tiny Sakonnet Harbor RI this morning. As I write this I am passing the “gold coast” of Newport. There are many cities that have a section that they proudly refer to as The Gold Coast but this one is, for sure, the granddaddy of all gold coasts. The mansions here are so high end that even the hedge fund guys can’t afford the kind of homes that their robber baron ancestors referred to as “cottages” It’s hard to believe that those mammoth homes were only occupied for a few weeks each summer.
I’d guess that the main reason that these homes stood vacant for nearly the entire year was because their owners were working hard to make even more money so that they not only had a huge mansion but that theirs was the “most hugest of all”, vacant or not.
All of this makes me remember all those years that I schlepped my boats to Maine and back each summer with the very limited vacation time I had. Back in those days it took a “crowd” or perhaps better stated, a “village” for me to take my vacation. With a crew to head up, and I always had at least four on board, to the crew heading back home, one summer it took a total of 15 people to make it possible for me to move my boat north, find a place to keep her when I wasn’t aboard and then to coordinate all crew and logistics for the run home a few weeks later. For a number of years I resorted to lending my boat to friends with the agreement that they could use the boat for two weeks if they brought her home. This worked well for a few years until I lent the boat to someone who turned out to have a problem with “adult beverages” and crashed the boat into another boat and ran her up on a rock ledge, both in one day. That’s a very tough way to start the day.
And, of course, with that many people involved and the reality of weather to contend with, it was a logistical nightmare, crashes excepted.
These days, in my “retired life” it’s a lot simpler but heading back to Maine this time was certainly more like “the good old days” with crew coming and going and last minute “adjustments” to well laid plans. Back then, it just wouldn’t do to tell my boss “I’d love to be at work today, after two weeks away, but the weather, well it was just too windy to get back”. Yeah right.
I expect that the response would have been something like the old Account Temps radio commercials. “Don’t worry, Bob from Account Temps is here. Take as long as you want to get back. EVERYTHING is under control. We are doing just fine without you.” Oh great.
Anyway, I digress but all the rushing around and crew changes this time have certainly brought back memories of my “past life”.
As I write this I am sailing along with the big Code Zero sail out on a nice easy broad reach. It’s very pleasant indeed.
We finally made it through the Cape Cod Canal at around dark last night. However, the wind, while less than 10kts, was right on the nose for the last few hours. That combined with a flood tide made for a very slow run down Buzzard’s Bay.
We decided to spend the night in Cuttyhunk bight and picked our way in to drop the hook a bit after midnight. I set the alarm for 05:00 this morning (now that hurt) and sailed the rest of the way to Sakonnett where I dropped off Barry. He has a summer home there.
The harbor is very tiny and really packed with moorings. We picked up one of the two town moorings and within moments the harbor master stopped by to see if we were staying the night. We explained our “touch and go” plans and he very nicely offered to take Barry to shore. Very neighborly.
What a pretty harbor. 
They seem to take their commercial fishing seriously. 
Sorry no obligatory shot of today’s sunrise although it was a stunner.
I guess I’ll close with a shot of Pandora sailing. No bone in her teeth today. Just an easy sail back to home waters and “real life”.
And, the light at Pt Judith. Back in home waters.
Did I mention that the lawn needs cutting? Oh yeah, and there’s a bathroom to finish remodeling.
Welcome home Bob. If it wasn’t for the fact that Brenda’s there, well, I’d be tempted to just keep going.
One last thing, thanks for helping me Barry. Life was going to be a LOT more complicated without you. Yes, indeed, sailing, it takes a village and I am blessed to be a member of a particularly good tribe.
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