It’s Wednesday evening and I am all settled aboard my “ride” to Florida. The boat I am on is amazing. She’s 130′ and a real stunner. The captain has put me into the “nanny cabin” which is more like a nice hotel room than a cabin on a boat.
When I arrived I plunked my gear down in the “TV room” and before I knew it the steward has whisked it way and put everything into my cabin along with a toothbrush, toothpaste, shampoo along with a little monogrammed note pad of course, etc, etc.
I have a double bed, all to myself along with a full bath, complete with granite counters and there’s even a full size tub. Happily, there is wifi all the time via satellite so you’ll have to put up with my daily posts until we get to Florida.
Here’s my ride at the dock in Greenport. She’s the blue one. Beautiful. 
Tomorrow at around 7:30 we will shove off and visit the fuel dock. I am told that she burns about 1,000 gallons per day when underway. Our cruising speed is 12kts. She will make the trip about twice as fast as Pandora. She’s big, like a floating condo and a large one at that.
Early today I caught the ferry in New London to get over to Greenport, What a sight as we passed Electric Boat in Groton. There is a sub under construction. I guess that they build them in modules. Either that or someone forgot to solder the front and back together. I sure hope that they aren’t planning to launch in a the near future. 
Perhaps more than you want to see about partially finished subs but I sort of liked the shot from this angle. She sure looks like she means business. Nice crane.
Seeing a sub under construction was neat but seeing one steaming into the harbor was even better. I think that she was the New Mexico, the sub that I encountered last summer off of Groton as I passed by. I think it’s her because I had heard from the chief of the boat, who I have been corresponding with told me that they were in town, would be out for a week or so on maneuvers and then would be back. Well, it looks like they are back and I was lucky enough to be there when she arrived. 
As she passed I was able to get a great shot of the crew on deck. I expect that there is a very well established pecking order as to who gets to ride up in the sail. They probably don’t draw straws or play rock, paper, scissors. “get down from there skipper, I won your spot fair and square”.
Love the Victorian home, if that’s what it is, in the background. Amazing contrast.
Big boat. Long way from the sail to the tail fin, if that’s what they call it.
How about the gunboat riding shotgun as she came into the harbor. I waved to him and he waved back. Not sure he was smiling though. Probably not allowed. I wonder why they wear camo colored uniforms. If they are trying to blend in, it’s not working even a little bit. I’d think that a nice beach pattern with a delicate cerulean blue and sand tan motif would be much more fetching.
Anyway, it’s going to be an amazing trip and I can’t wait to get underway in the morning. I was warned that I’d have to watch what I ate aboard or I’d surely gain ten pounds on the trip. After dinner tonight, I believe that the risk is real. Grilled chicken breasts with fresh tomato and shiitake mushrooms with orzo along with asparagus and well, let’s just say that it was amazing. 
And my cabin. Wow! TV too. The steward even left the drawers open so I’d know that there was a place for me to unpack. 
The bathroom is larger than mine at home. Note: I use the guest bath as Brenda doesn’t like to share. I know my place. 
And there’s even a bath tub. And I don’t have to share with anyone. I wonder how much the water sloshes in a seaway? Hmm… Better not push my luck. 
Well, I had better sign off as tomorrow is going to be an exciting day. My watch tomorrow night and every night after that, will be from 04:00 to 08:00 with the captain.
Yes, I think I’ll take a shower. I’ll bet that they have a ton of hot water. I’ll find out soon.
What an experience and surely a lot more comfortable than Pandora. Good thing Brenda’s not here as this experience would surely spoil her for good as this is grand style indeed. I do promise to work hard too. I can do dishes, you know.
Time for a nap. Did I mention that I have a tub? Thought so.
Busy day tomorrow.
3 responses to “Heading south in grand style.”