Baby Onboard and 21 Years Together

That seems like a curious title for a blog, but that is exactly what this week was. We introduced our youngest grandchild to the boat, and we celebrated 21 years of marriage.

Aaron, now 5, and Ella, now 2, have both been on the Morgan sailboat and the Mariner Orient. They leave near Chesapeake City on the Chesapeake and Delaware Canal and visited us on our way south on the Morgan in 2013, and on our way north with the Mariner one year ago.

Caleb is our youngest grandchild and the first to be aboard the boat while underway. He came with his parents, Ryan and Kerri, to visit and spend the day on the boat.

We crossed Fishers Island Sound to West Harbor, one of our favorite nearby spots. Let the pictures do the talking, and please me indulge me for  a proud Nana moment–

A beautiful day for a boat ride
A beautiful day for a boat ride
Relaxing in the salon –. If any of my math cohorts are reading this – notice the   the onesies “I’m acute baby”. No, it wasn't a gift from Nana!
Relaxing in the salon – If any of my math cohorts are reading this – notice the the onesies “I’m acute baby”. Believe it or not, it wasn’t a gift from Nana!
Caleb getting his sea legs. See what I mean about the safety of the side decks?
Caleb getting his sea legs. This trawler is incredibly safe for a little one with its high surround on the side decks and enclosed aft cockpit.
Checking out the swim platform and aft deck with Mommy and Papa.
Checking out the swim platform and aft deck with Mommy and Papa.
Mom and dad get to go kayaking around West Harbor.
Mommy and Daddy go kayaking around West Harbor.
First dinghy ride!
First dinghy ride!
All that sea air and water just tuckers a little guy out. Nap time!
All that sea air and water just tuckers a little guy out. Nap time!

We said our goodbyes to the “kids” and left the next day for a little getaway. With only 2 days, we decided to try the tiny anchorage behind Ram Island, a small private island at the mouth of the Mystic River. Wikipedia informed us that the island was once the site of an exclusive Victorian hotel and resort where ships from Boston and New York City stopped twice each day. Abandoned and in disrepair by 1920, it was completely demolished by the Hurricane of 1938. That’s certainly not surprising when you see how low the island is. We had noticed when passing the island on our way back and forth to Watch Hill that there must have been a fire sometime in the past couple of years.

Chimneys remaining after the fires. We could see this as we passed by the island on earlier trips.
Chimneys remaining after the fires. We could see this as we passed by the island on earlier trips.

Once again, a little googling tells that us that the barn was destroyed by fire in February 2013 and the residence in March 2014.  On this day, there was activity on the island, men and a small backhoe and wood chipper, so it would seem that the structures will be rebuilt. We could hear sheep and saw a few horses grazing.

View of the lowest and skinniest part of the island from our anchor spot. I am not sure how there was ever a hotel or resort on this island. Just doesn't seem big enough.
View of the lowest and skinniest part of the island from our anchor spot. I am not sure how there was ever a hotel or resort on this island. Just doesn’t seem big enough.

Boats cruise to the island all day, mostly to drop the hook for a few hours. One sailboat erred in choosing its anchor location and found itself aground as the tide went out and the sun set…

Just not going to move at all until there is more water below that keel!
Just not going to move at all until there is more water below that keel! Even with the help of a small power boat, it would not budge. High tide would come in the dark.

After all the daytrippers returned to their homeports, we had the anchorage to ourselves. So peaceful and quiet.

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Changing colors on the low lying island.
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Swirls of pink and blue are echoed in the sky.

We awoke to a beautiful morning. A bright sky and cool -just like our wedding day, 21 years ago. 🙂 After brewing our coffee, we went kayaking around Ram Island and over to a few small nearby islands. “Islands” may be an exaggeration. These were more like rocky points that jut up above sea level, with a little sandy beach at low, low tide.

Kayaks and Koffee - perfect morning.
Kayaks and “K”offee – perfect morning.
Kayaking around the rocky little islands
Kayaking around the rocky little islands
Anniversary beach finds!!
Our anniversary gifts to each other were some very nice beach combing finds of pottery and sea glass. Hoorah!
We had a delightful dinner at S&P Oyster in Mystic, overlooking the river and the drawbridge.
We had a delightful anniversary dinner at S&P Oyster in Mystic, overlooking the river and the drawbridge.
Ending with ice cream at Mystic Drawbridge – Lemon Chocolate Kiss, again!
Ending with ice cream at Mystic Drawbridge – Lemon Chocolate Kiss, again!

A happy week and a happy anniversary. We are a very blessed couple.

3 Responses

    • Michele Watson

      We are really looking forward to meeting up with you on our way south again!!

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