Well, Momma's words were never truer than today.
We woke early, eager to tackle the task at hand.
We just didn't know that we had to do it blindfolded.
Below, I give you an idea of Block Island gave us as a departure gift - Fog:
In case you don't have any experience or perspective with this, go into your shower, close the shower curtain, turn the lights off, and try to read the Hot & Cold insignias on the faucets.
So, while we were trying to decide what to do, I figured that we should at least fuel up, and see if we can get some local information?
So, I asked the fuel jockey, whose name tag said that he was from Long Island, what the chances were that the fog was only hanging on the island, and that the "Sound" would be clear?
His response: "slim to none - and Slim just left town".
While I was considered the validity of his intelligence, he proved unable to calculate the fuel bill because the "register wasn't working".
I turned to Spence and said: "we're going for it".
Sure enough, about 45 minutes later, I was wearing sunglasses and being told to put suntan lotion on.
Long Island Sound is nothing, if not aptly named. The operative word being LONG.
Jesus H. Baldheaded Christ - it goes on FOREVER.
But fortunately, it was in the lee of the SW wind and flat calm. Thank you God.
Today was all about getting thru the East River.
Which proved to be eerily similar to fishing for Bluefin Tuna. They never bite first thing in the morning when you are all fresh and rested. Nooooooooo. They wait until your patience, strength, and stamina are shot - and then they decide to bite.
So, it was with us. After some 100 miles of journey, we then come upon the East river, where a truly remarkable thing happened.
We caught the tides just right - meaning they were ebbing (or going out) - or basically going in the same direction that we were. The net result? Hot Water has never, ever gone that fast in her life. We were going 22+ knots. That boat was smiling from cleat to cleat, as she sped down the East side of Manhattan.
The first glimpse of which was the Throgs Neck Bridge:
From there it was a whirlwind of currents, barges, ferries, chop - all at brake-neck speed, until finally you see the Lady:
And what a site she is. However, as you are bobbing like a cork, it is not exactly easy to appreciate (or photograph), as poor Spence can attest.
Meanwhile there are thunder storms and rain showers popping up everywhere all around us. But fortunately, none of them really smacked us.
Finally, we reached our destination - Liberty Landing Marina - looked up, and saw the breathtaking view across the river:
We can't wait to see it all lit up tonight as we have dinner with our daughter.
I just have to say that it is a surreal experience to travel thru New York by boat. And I can't wait to finish that journey, but going down river to the Atlantic.
But, it seems that may have to wait a day or so.
Tomorrow's forecast is for rain, 20+ knot winds, and 3-5' seas.
And Momma didn't raise no fools. (I may have been born at night, but it wasn't last night)
So, the current plan is to chill for a day, and set out again on Friday.
But, as Momma used to say . . .
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