Birthday on Block – Kindred Spirit

3713822a23618167bbe78b26fdbb7564_395 — When I’m sixty-four. 64…… Sixty-four………..

“When I get older losing my hair
Many years from now
Will you still be sending me a valentine
Birthday greetings, bottle of wine?
If I’d been out till quarter to three
Would you lock the door?
Will you still need me, will you still feed me
When I’m sixty-four?”

Thanks goes out to the Beatles for immortalizing the 64-year landmark! Hard to believe, but there it is, staring me in the face. But that’s ok, really, because the alternative is, well, let’s not go there. And life is pretty darn good.

Celebrating this birthday began with a pre-birthday dinner made by my sons and their families.

Flowers from my Al. Help from Caleb with the birthday candles. Addie joins the fun. — Reading to little Addie, Caleb helps me blow out my candles, and a bouquet from my love.

On my real birthdate, we did something that we have done two out of the past three years – head out to sea! The other two times were the first day of our big adventure to the Bahamas in 2013 and 2015 . This time we were just off to Block island! What a great week and a great place to celebrate a birthday.

A birthday kiss, relaxing on the bow, water spray below the bow.

It was a beautiful morning to go to Block and to begin testing my new camera (the old one died its third and last death). The camera decision was a difficult one that was ultimately made easier when I faced the fact that I am not going to be happy carrying a large camera around. Give me something that is easy to carry in a pocket or bag and fairly automatic. I opted for the SONY DX90V, with a 30x zoom.

As we approached Block, there were no whale sightings on this trip, but to the north we could see one of the BLock Island lighthouses. — As we approached Block, there were no whale sightings on this trip, but to the north we could see one of the Block Island lighthouses.

Salt Pond is nearly empty!! Hoorah!! Block is just too crowded during the summer season, so this post-Labor Day week should be very, very nice. And the weather is excellent.

Much less crowded here after Labor Day. Should be a very nice week.

Birthday dinner at Dead-Eye Dick's with an almost full moon shining above. — Birthday dinner at Dead-Eye Dick’s with an almost full moon shining above.

Al gave me a unique book by Susan Branch. Photos and artwork by Susan Branch are sprinkled throughout and the font style has a handwritten look. Definitely a book that needs to be a hardcover and not an ebook. The book was a really good choice for me. First, it is about Branch’s move to the Martha’s Vineyard and her life there. Second, I have always wished to live on each New England island for one full year so that I could experience the seasons and feel like an inhabitant rather than a visitor. It’s just a dream, really a fantasy, but wouldn’t that be cool?

one of my birthday gifts was Susan Branch's "Martha's Vineyard of Dreams". What a neat book ! — One of my birthday gifts was Susan Branch’s “Martha’s Vineyard Isle of Dreams”. What a neat book ! The font is handwritten-like, and the text is peppered with photos and Branch’s watercolors. A beautiful book to hold and read. And keep.

We spent the first three days at Block on the SYC mooring and then anchored off by Breezy Point at the end of the week. Salt Pond was so much more peaceful in mid-September, a different place than July or August.

We spent the first three days on the SYC mooring and then anchored off by Breezy Point. Nothing like having your morning coffee on the back deck, looking out over the water. Ahhhhh — Ahhhhh. Nothing like having your morning coffee in the aft cockpit, looking out over the water.

To the beach! Block does have one of the loveliest beaches in New England.

A view towards Mansion Beach from our spot on Crescent Beach.

Using my new camera to study the waves –

Mary Jo and I wiggle our teal toes in the sand.

Another flybridge dinner gathering with the crews of Jallao (Dean and Mary Jo) and Gale Warning (LeeAnn and Greg)

Whether you are walking or kayaking around the island, the architecture is quintessential “Block.”

Three Block hotels - The Narragansett, the Surf Hotel, and The National. — Three Block hotels – The Narragansett, the Surf Hotel, and The National.

bi-bldgs — Top – Built by The U.S. Weather Bureau of the Department of Agriculture in 1903, the stately building was an inn that now appears to be closed. Bottom – The Sullivan House, a favorite place for weddings, overlooks Salt Pond and the inner ponds.

We walked back from our trip to town along Corn Neck Road for a chance of view.

Al stood out on this wooden walkway that once went down to the beach.Hurricane Sandy destroyed it. — Al stood out on this wooden walkway that once went down to the beach. Hurricane Sandy destroyed it.

The monument along the road. — The Block island Historical Society Monument (1942) monument along the road, above the sandy shore.

Kayaking is popular everywhere these days, including Block Island.

Kayaks available for rent or use at both ends of Salt Pond. — Kayaks are available for rent or use at both ends of Salt Pond.

Just had to take this photo - This one is for you, Dan! — A sign on the building near the kayak rentals. Just had to take a photo – This one is for you, Dan. Coconuts ARE more dangerous than sharks!

We have been enjoying our kayaks more than ever this summer. They store very nicely up on the flybridge. We took ourselves on a 2-hour tour around Salt Pond and the inner ponds.

The Coast Guard station ahead. Near the rocky shoreline.

Al, kayaking under the low bridge into the pond and checking out a little path in the grass.

Kayaking gives you a close-up view of many things.

Close up looks at the wildlife, in the water, on the water, above the water. — A look at the wildlife, in the water, on the water, above the water.

A black lab swimming in the anchorage. Not so wild, but certainly in the water. — A black lab swimming to shore in the anchorage. Not so wild, but certainly in the water.

Kayaking gives you a close up look at many things, including other boats. — A canoe rests at the edge of the water, near two adirondack chairs. First time we have seen a keg used as a mooring ball.

Look at this! The Oliver Hazard Perry, training ship that we saw in Nantucket, slipped inland put of Block while we were there. — Look at this! The sailing vessel, Oliver Hazard Perry, the training ship that we saw in Nantucket. The ship slipped into Salt Pond at Block while we were there.

There is so much to look at and experience, even on simple beach walks. Another walk we enjoy here is out past the Coast Guard Station, along the channel and over to the outside western shore.

A walk past the Coast Guard station and the sandy beach along the channel, leads to the stone jetty.

There are still remnants of the rusting iron connectors for the old deteriorated wooden wall. This channel entrance is a man-made, dredged cut through the narrow beach that transformed Salt Pond into "New Harbor." — There are still remnants of the rusting iron connectors for the old deteriorated wooden wall. This channel entrance is a man-made, dredged cut through the narrow beach that transformed Salt Pond into “New Harbor.”

There’s always something interesting to notice on the beach, to ponder and consider. Logs that roll upon the shore and settle in for the long haul, stone towers perched upon a log display stand, driftwood log that suggests the head of an ancient dinosaur.

Al amuses himself with beach finds and creations.

I climb upon a larger driftwood "sculpture." — I climb upon a larger driftwood “sculpture.”

White surf rolls in and over colorful polished stones in the sand. Wonderful sights and sounds.

The evenings were filled with delightful sights as the full moon approached.

September 15th, almost "full." — September 15th, almost “full.”

September 16th was the full moon and a "Harvest Moon." — September 16th was the full moon and a “Harvest Moon.” It didn’t paint our sky with orange and red hues, but it did put a sparkle on the water.

We left Block on Saturday morning, bright and early. That’s the way to visit Block Island, Monday through Friday, 🙂 to miss the crowds. Especially after Labor Day. We had a relaxing five days – that’s the way to celebrate a birthday!

Leave a Reply Cancel reply