Last Day of Block Island Race week on WICKED

http://www.yachtscoring.com/event_results_detail.cfm?Race_ Number=10&eID=558

We're doing well and need to hang onto the lead.

We will likely head out to Cuttyhunk tomorrow and catch Celilo, Chere and maybe Osprey.

Padanaram - Home Again!

After leaving Block Island we had a fast sail across to Newport, and had a fantastic time as always visiting our friends the Marstons. On Thursday the 14th we left Newport bound for Padanaram (South Dartmouth). The ride was a bit rough, 20 knots on the nose, and drizzly. I was wearing jeans, a sweater, and fouly jacket, more clothes than I've had on in a year for sure! When we turned the corner into South Dartmouth, the sun came out, and we glided into the harbor on a lively beam reach. Our friends on Verve and Trilogy were onboard to cheer us in. What a strange feeling, to be back after such a trip. We've had offers of loaner cars from several friends which we really appreciate. We ended up borrowing Derek and Jen's car to take a ride to the VW dealership to check out their CCs. Great, sporty cars. John is negotiating as I type. Hard to take on a new bill with no income! But that too will come.

The Williams and Susanna and kids, came down for dinner at the Yacht Club. It was great to see our friends and also the other familiar faces at the club. Our dinner reservation was at 7:30, and by chance, I ran out to the boat using the launch to get Tyler a change of clothes, and was informed the launch service ends at 8. That would have been classic...first night back and trapped on shore with our dingy securely attached to Zusammen. Anyhow, we had a great dinner, I had lobster and avocado spring rolls, and Shrimp Mozambique...YUM! Can't say my onboard cooking was anywhere close!

Today we'll try to wrap up the car purchase, and then this afternoon sail over to Cuttyhunk for the club's Father's Day Cruise. There will be a BBQ on the beach which should be fun. On Sunday, we have to be back early for John to go with Forrest to do the Block Island Race week series. The kids start sailing lessons on Tuesday, which they are very excited for. Eliza is doing OPTI 2 and Tyler is doing lasers and then windsurfing.

Lively Sail!

Pulling in to the harbor

Padanaram

We made it!

On the mooring in Block. 262 mile trip, our longest to date. Uneventful except for the big bluefish. Pictures to follow when we get the laptop connected. Having a glass of wine and chilling with the gang in a candlelit Zusammen. A good weekend to all.

The fight

The fish (was released to swim another day)

New England here we come!

We left the C&D Canal yesterday at 5 a.m. and in 3 hours and 21 minutes, according to the GPS we will be tying up at Block Island on our friend Beth's mooring. So kind of her to offer it. Thanks Beth, we really, really appreciate it! The overnight was uneventful, no wind, so a motorboat ride. John prefers a good fast sail, but given the distance, I like a flat, albeit noisy, consistent trip. Our tentative plan will be to sleep tonight, have fun on Block tomorrow, which includes visiting our great friend Kyra, and then traveling on to Padanaram on Monday. We have to have a couple of repairs done to Zusammen, so we may detour to Newport first, but that is yet to be decided.

Top of the Delaware River

We're contemplating our next move. All we know for certain is that we'll be pulling the hook At 0445 to run South down the Delaware river. We may go to Cape May, Atlantic Highlands, or all the way to Block Island. We'll see how the day unfolds. We had a great time touring around DC the last couple of days with the Makana gang. We spent a night downtown and made sure we hit as many sights as possible in the two days we were there. The Lincoln Memorial was a favorite of both boats' crews. Pray for wind!