September 16, 2014

September 16, 2014 Where friends and are made
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> Yesterday we reached Onset, MA and walked up the hill to find a happy hour bar. We Yelped the area and found Pierview Restaurant as a possible destination. Once up the hill we saw this sign and it reminded us of the series "Cheers" so we walked in. The people at the bar noticed us right away. We took the seats at the end of the bar and started talking to the bartender. Dave told him it had taken us 8 years to get to his bar and he shared that with the others. Soon we were sharing stories, swapping jokes, answering questions, and feeling like we were in an episode of Cheers. What great people they all were. Names were exchanged, the song "Sail Away" was played on the juke box for us by Kevin, a beer appeared bought by one of the generous bar crowd, and we started handing out boat cards and shaking hands. Uncle Bobby enlightened us on the meaning of the Tesno t-shirt and told us half of the group originated from the Cape Verde Islands. We left the place with a promise to return and as our dinghy pulled away from the town dock we saw Uncle Bobby waving us a fond goodbye. There is a deep truth to the advertisement in this window.
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September 13, 2014. Newport, Rhode Island

September 13, 2014. Newport, Rhode Island

What a delicious slice of Americana this harbor town offers to all who take the time to explorer.  The historical vibe, the sense of times past and present blended together, an East Coast rounding of consonants and unique vowel sounds floating in the brisk air, and a small town neighborhood feel from homes peeking around each corner,  you feel the warmth but not the cold size of a big city here.  We arrived a few days ago to attend the Boat Show, meet old boating friends, and enjoy some relaxed time.  When we arrived there were plumbing issues to deal with, a boat is rarely trouble free, a wind generator issue, that can wait, and new friends greeting us.  Ian and Fiona have shared some anchorages with us and came over to say "hi".  They were able to put us in touch with Craig and Karene, friends from the Bristol, Rhode Island reunion, and we ran into Linda and Bill with Tahja from the Salty Dawgs organization.  Social time ahead of projects kept Dave happy.  Dave walked the Boat Show while I caught up with fellow Dawgs and friends at the Salty Dawg booth.  Late afternoon we broke away and had a beer with El Sogno who then tempted us to go with them to West Marine and dinner...we are easy, what can I say! They chose an owner chef restaurant that was in an older section of town.  The lyrical piano playing, the white cloth and napkins, and the antique stain glass  displays gave the perfect backdrop to a delicious meal.  We talked about the best places in Maine and their future plans to head through the canal and off to the Pacific.  After another peaceful night of sleep Dave awoke and dove on the boat to remove barnacles from our thru holes.  We are now trouble free and draining.  The wind generator problem is still out there but it can still wait.  Today we walked the waterfront, hiked up into the town, saw the church that the Kennedy's were married in back in 1953, shot pictures of the International Tennis Museum, and took a dinghy tour of the waterfront mansions.  It is now getting chilly and blackish skies surround us.  Weather is changing and we are tucked in for the night.
There is a small canal between us and the ocean that we will use to head north and into Maine.   We will write after we finish Maine, but feel free to write us now and share with us your must see in Maine spots.

Crossed Fingers and High Hopes

Monday we board the plane to Boston, MA and by Tuesday we will be back on Jammin getting ready for another trip afloat.  We will head north to eat Maine lobsters and see the rugged coast as we dodge and weave through the pots and traps.  Then come October we will find the one week of good weather (they say that is how it works most years) and head to Bermuda.  After relaxing and waiting out the hurricane end of season storms there we will sail south to the Virgin Islands for the holidays.
Our summer was more work than play blended with quality grand parent time in Oregon and Texas.  Our daughter, Kelsey, moved to Beaverton, Or and Dave built a barn bed for Kiwi, our grand daughter.  Then it was off to Katy, Texas where our son, Mike, moved and visiting with the other two grand daughters (Layla and Stevie) and daughter-in-law, Julia.
We will be better about blogs this coming season.  Last season we had our share of trial and tribulations and never really had a sailing season to share.  Adrift and windless best describes last winter's season.  This season with fingers crossed and high hopes drifting over us we look forward to more adventures, reunions with old friends, and making new friends in foreign places.