This place is GREAT!

After a great night in Dartmouth MA Anna and I said our goodbyes and pushed off the dock at 7 AM. We passed under the Fairhaven New Bedford swing bridge cranked up the RPMs and made our way for Mystic CT. We planned on staying in Mystic for two days to wait out the strong winds, but as it turned out the weather didn't blow as was predicted so it was off to Deep River CT after one night. Our run to Mystic was a bit rougher than we would have liked, we made a decision that it was worth the discomfort to get around Point Judith and get as far south as we could before the winds picked up even more. It was seven and a half hours to Mystic, but was it ever worth it. What a beautiful harbor! We stayed at the Brewers Mystic Yard, and after a good nights sleep we made our way to Mystic Seaport Museum. Anna and I had been to the seaport years ago and once again it was well worth it. There is a group of Shipwrights restoring the Morgan, a whaling ship from the 1800's that was launched in New Bedford harbor. I was shocked to learn that the restoration only became possible after a mass of enormous Trees where given to the museum from the cleanup from Hurricane Katrina. It seems that the timber needed to accurately restore the vessel is nearly impossible to find. It was nice to think that there is at least one good thing that came from such a devastating storm.
After a good lunch on board Blue, Anna and I cast off the lines and made our way for Deep River CT. Deep River is located about 10 miles up the Connecticut River. What a beautiful place. I can only hope that the rivers to come are as wonderful as this. Having arrived, the winds picked up as forcasted and we spent a great day working on the boat, provisioning and pushing back a few cold ones. The people here at Deep River could not be more hospitable, we have been invited to a dock party tonight, it should be loads of fun.

This was the last of the Big fishing boats we saw after leaving New Bedford. They look some impressive as they appear over the horizon headed towards us.

Had to take this shot for Chuck and Melissa. These boats are something.

As we arrived off Mystic the lobster pots were everywhere. Why they paint them black, I have no idea. What a pain in the butt!

We have not idea what hotel this is in Watch Hill R.I., but man it is something. The views must be amazing.

The entrance to the Mystic River was filled with colonial buildings like this one. It made for a great end to long day on the water.

This Nordic Tug "North Star" greeted us as we rounded a bend in the river. I can't remember the names of the owners, but we had spoken with them the year before on Nantucket. As we passed by, they gave us a blast of their horn and a look of a group of people that recognised a boat that was out for more than just an afternoon cruise.

Here is the plan Anna. You tell me when they are not looking and I am going to run up and take that anchor.

The Morgan in dry dock. I was shocked to learn that when complete she will be seaworthy. What a sight that will be.

For some reason I felt the need to show you my favorite exhibit.

The light at the entrance to the Conn. River.

Essex Marina, and the home port of Wylde Yacht Sales. This is where Anna and I first laid our eyes on Blue. What a great town.

As we came in to dock Russ Jones, the owner of this 42 Nordic Tug Polaris helped us tie up. It was my first experience with docking while fighting a river current. You think the wind is bad, think again this was tough. We got her in on the second try, and those who watched us said it was an impressive job. Regardless I had to go below and change my shorts.

The view from the dock at Deep River. If you get the chance this place is a must see.








Here's to you Mr. Shopping Basket with Wheels Inventor!

Do People fish in this town or what!

We got a late start leaving Hyannis. Anna's parents took the Hyline over from Nantucket in the morning and we all went to Breakfast at Panera. There is an interesting phenomenon about Panera, I have never been in there and not bumped into someone from Nantucket. I guess it is that or MacDonald's. Having no fast food restaurants on Nantucket can lead people to crave interesting things. After a short visit and sad goodbye Anna and I pushed off for Fairhavern. Having not been to this port before Anna and I had asked around for a recommendation on a good location to dock. Our friend Chuck recommended Niemiec Marine. Niemiec is a old school ship yard just past the New Bedford Fairhaven Bridge. We called and were delighted to find that they had room and that there price per foot for the night was 2 dollars less than the Marinas on the other side of the bridge. So off we went. New Bedford harbor is truly a fishing port. It looked like we had been transported to the deadliest Catch. The boats were huge and there were so many of them. You could smell the catch in the air which was amusing to Mobey who reacted like crazed retiree waiting for a free buffet. After we docked, I was struck with the realization that we were had pulled in right behind the Foxy Lady. I had heard of such Exotic Dance establishments and was quickly relieved that it was Anna's decision to stay here and not mine. We both got a good chuckle from it. I must say it was a bit amusing to call our friends and say "Oh you cant miss us we will be right outside the strip Club". To Funny!

Anna's parents Fred and Janet

I couldn't resist taking a picture of the William Bowe from the Discovery Channels Lobster Wars.

Here is one for the inappropriate name contest.

This boat was aground in Woods Hole as we passed through Broadway. Anna asked "What we should do?" I responded, "Not go there" Once again chin pain.

The sea wall as you enter New Bedford. In the event of of hurricane this gate closes protecting down town New Bedford from the storm surge.

The light as you enter New Bedford

A fraction of the Fleet.

I am not sure but I think Blues engine surged a bit as we passed this huge tug.

Our First swing bridge. Too cool!

Mile Zero. Thousands to go.

We had a great crossing yesterday. As we sat waiting to leave the dock, Anna and I found ourselves filled with emotion. With the lines stowed and the engine idling, she turned to me and said I think it's time. We tossed the lines and off we went. Our crossing was a bit bumpy and caused us to have a good laugh at the weather report we were listening to on the VHF. The report was calling for NW winds 5 to 10 gusting 20. We laughed and amended it to NE 15 gusting 25 with a chance of cat vomit. Mobey was a real trooper on his first crossing yet he sure let us know he was around. MEOW MEOW MEOW. When we got to Hyannis we grabbed Anna's parents car and it was off to BJ's. As soon as we walked through the door we new we had made a serious mistake. Wait, they sell everything in bulk. Where the hell are we going to put this stuff. After a quick change in course we were off to the Stop and Shop. It was great to pull out a Fifty thinking that is what you owe, only to find the bill came to 32 dollars. Anna was then seen hovering out of the store having come down with a severe case if savings high. We look forward to our trip to Fairhaven today it should be fun going through woods hole.

Joe came down and shot the video of us leaving. He looks forward to a great year on our old boat. Have a great year Joe!

Fishermen hard at work

Ever Play Chicken

Our location in Hyannis Harbor

Think its a good day to start a great adventure!

It is hard to believe but our day of departure has finally arrived. So far all the planning and work to get to this point has been an adventure in it's self. As I walked through town yesterday I was struck with a feeling that I had not felt in a long time. Nantucket really is a beautiful place. It is strange but over the past few years I have spent to much time thinking about what is next, I have to do this, I have to do that. Having been consumed with personal and professional responsibilities, I had completely lost touch with what makes Nantucket one of the greatest places I have ever been. Yesterday as I walked down main street, I could smell spring in the air, and I regained a respect for where I have lived that I had not felt in years. I will miss this place over the next year. We have made some of the best friends anyone could ask for, they are all as they say "the finest kind"! As I sit here on the boat, the sun is beginning to break over the horizon, what wonders will Anna and I see over the next year? Have we planned correctly? Have we everything we need? Right know at this moment, all I know is that we are unbelievably lucky to have this opportunity. For all those who helped us get to this point, our friends our coworkers and our family, thank you so much. You are what makes Nantucket great.

T Minus 72 hours

Anna's Birthday Dinner. Umm Sushi

Good old Blue rigged with the bikes on top and ready to go



Our home on land. See you next year.


Our new HBI, that is Hard Bottom Inflatable in boat talk. It is to be our taxi for the next year, bringing us to and from shore.

Right before we stuck down the name and hailing port on the bottom. This is always stressful, it is a one shot deal. Because our boat is federally documented the name and hailing port must be visible on the stern of the boat. With our HBI being stored on the back swim platform, it blocks our boat name and port, thus the need to put the name on the bottom.

It is hard to believe but I think we are ready to go. Anna and I have had a full first week on the boat. Many of our evenings have been spent with friends, it is a bittersweet feeling to know that we will not see many of them for a hole year. Tonight some of our closest friends organised a party at the Nantucket Anglers Club to give us a good sendoff. It's sure to be a great time with a formidable headache in the morning. Our evenings at the Club are always a blast, the people are some of the best always good for a laugh and a smile. Thinking back on our first week I would be remiss not to mention that we had our first birthday on board. Anna and I celebrated her 36th birthday on Monday, we got some sushi takeout and a bottle of wine. What a great way to start our adventure. With 72 hours till we push off the dock and round Brant Point we intend on soaking up Nantucket and all our friends so they can stay fresh in our hearts and minds till our return next year.

Our new home on the water

It is hard to believe but our trip is just days away from becoming a reality. Anna and I moved out of our home this past week, and have settled into our new home on the water. It has been a blessing that the weather has been some of the best we could ask for. Saturday on Nantucket was a total ten. Anna and I both agree that moving out of our house was one of the hardest things we have done in years. How we accumulated so much stuff is a mystery to the both of us, all we know is that we are glad it is behind us. Living on the boat has been totally awesome, we were able to unpack all our clothes, pots, pans, passports, books, movies, CD's, tools, cup, utensils, COFFEE, ect. Waking up on Friday morning I left the boat to take my first of many public restroom showers, on my walk back feeling clean and refreshed a head appeared from the boat next to ours and announced nice jammies. I had to laugh as I was filled with a nostalgic feeling that I was back in my freshman dorm in college. One thing is clear, a lot of things are going to change now that we live on the water, so far it has been for the better. As the day progressed, there was a lot of activity on the dock, the charter boats are in and the sound of Captains readying there boats is ever present. Summer is almost her and the waterfront has definitely awaken from its winter slumber.