Time is flying by right now as August is right around the corner. The weather has vastly improved and we have jumped into the water a few times. Warm? Nope, but better....
We had only a few miles to cross over to Martha's Vineyard and we timed the current through Wood's Hole and then .......FOG.. It looked as if it was lifting and we figured we had a window but no dice......the fog came and we could not see a thing! We could hear the ferry coming through the channel. "Over to the shallows we said".......It came by and we were just out of the channel. Even with radar, AIS, horns and eyeballs fog stinks!
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| Anyone out there!!?? |
Our destination was Lake Tashmoo but with the fog such as it was we decided to go to Vineyard Haven instead. The anchorage is wide open and we didn't have to try go negotiate a very narrow cut to go into the lake. We anchored at a nice spot on the bay and had some quiet nights on the hook even though the wind was blowing the "dog off the chain" for a while.
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| This is a real photo! |
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| sv Alabama |
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| Ferry "Woods Hole" |
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| sv Finn |
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| Harbor view |
The harbor was full of beautiful boats but a couple just stood out. In particular, the schooner "Shenandoah" was there with another schooner, "Alabama "and they made quite a sight.
Sv Shenandoah was lauched in 1964 from the railway in S. Bristol, Maine. The ship, designed by Captain Robert S. Douglas is the only topsail schooner in the world that is without an engine. The concept was designed to maintain America's "Golden age of sail" and she was built for the passenger trade. Hull form, rigging and all materials used to build her adhered to criteria used in the 19th century. A real "beauty"!!
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| sv Shenandoah |
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| rear view |
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| Captain Douglas |
So, after a few days on the "Vineyard" we had a good day to head to the farthest east we have ever been......Nantucket! It is approximately 30nm but we had a clear day and a good sail. Now that we have been there once, we know we will go back again. It is unlike anywhere else we have been. Better? I wouldn't say that but different or unique certainly fits.
There is very little anchoring in the harbor. We have varying reports of what one can do and where you cannot anchor so we bit the bullet and paid for a mooring. WOW......$65 big ones per night! Good thing we don't do this everyday!
We saw a bumper sticker that says it all when discussing Nantucket:
NANTUCKET.......Why pay less??!!
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| view from the Black Dog Tavern |
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| side streets |
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| the waterfront |
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| Path to the "Chicken Box Pub" |
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| A home on Nantucket |
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| From the museum |
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| another view |
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| A full dinghy dock! |
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| Sailing school in the middle of the harbor! |
The Whaling Museum is certainly a highlight. We spent an afternoon wandering around and seeing all the artifacts. Very impressive and it makes you start to understand how the settlers of Nantucket are the way they are......nice, unique and different. Thanks to Mimi & Marie we were able to find the only "local" pub on the island. Dingh-go is now sporting a new sticker thanks to Anne meeting the owner....go figure!
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| A 2nd degree fresnell sense light |
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| A 42 foot Sperm whale |
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| scrimshaw artifacts |
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| And they say WWF was hard! |
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| A view of the Chicken Box! |
Back to Martha's Vineyard after Nantucket. We heard there was a multihull rendezvous in Vineyard Haven so we make tracks back and again, had a great sail. Single reef, full headsail, 18-22kts of wind and Nati flew back. Lots of fun!!
We were able to get anchored, got Dingh-go in the water and made it to the finish line for the running of the Black Dog Dash. In the past we always thought it would be fun to do this distance race with one of the tris but never made it. Now at least we got pictures of the finish,we were invited to the evening dinner and caught up with a few old friends.
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| A bullet for "Team Gleason" |
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| Very close finishing |
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| home-made gumbo! |
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| Lots of fun |
The next day we paid for a full day bus ticket and toured the island. Made it to Edgertown, Gay's Head and Oak Bluffs along with transferring in and around the island. A full day but fun and saw just how beautiful the island is. It is getting more crowded all the time but still you can find a quiet spot on a beach if you need to.
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| Oak Bluffs |
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| Unique architecture |
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| Gay Head Light |
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| Gay Head cliffs |
On the way back to Nati we came upon a free concert in the park. We listened for a little while but were getting tired after a full day so we just appreciated what we heard.
Last but not least......."
Crusty Olive Bread"!! Yes,.....I've have already had a couple of slices. Anne has this recipe down!!
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