May was a very busy month that included family gatherings, grandchildren “sitting” (hah, that sitting is really a misnomer), final boat preps, neighborhood gatherings, and the usual old people medical appointments scattered here and there. Why don’t doctors’ offices understand when I say “I’d like a rainy day appointment?”
We are no longer alone on D Dock. We have very nice neighbors again – Cloud Nine on our starboard and Slack Tide on port.
A shakedown cruise is the nautical term used for the “voyage of a ship undertaken to test the craft’s seaworthiness before embarking upon a proper excursion.” Usually a maiden voyage. Our seasonal shakedown cruise is to test the boat’s systems after her winter’s nap as well as to test the crew’s seaworthiness and memories. 😉👍
We always do an overnight “shakedown cruise” to check all the systems and it is always over to West Harbor. After the SYC Marine Tag Sale we scooted over to Fishers Island. We tested the dinghy hoist and launch, the generator, and the electronics. Everything worked as it should. We’re good to go!
We were thrilled to see that “WHERE THE WILD THINGS ARE” has been freshly repainted. It has been faded for a long time.
We added one more overnight shakedown out to our mooring. What a delightful spot!
In honor of new chain, Al gave the ball a fresh coat of paint. We’ve had this mooring for 18 years, keeping our boat(s) there until we were able to have a dock at SYC. Since it is a Groton town mooring we have kept it.
Our view of Shennecossett Yacht Club and its mooring field. The field was still pretty empty in the 3rd week of May.
It is a beautiful spot, nestled in the cove of Pine Island. We have a wonderful view of Ledge Light. It does get quite bouncy during some wind directions and from ferry wakes going in and out of New London.
First test of the portable solar panel, strapped onto the dinghy on the flybridge. It is going to be fun to watch Al play with this throughout the summer cruising.
The sun setting over UCONN’s Avery Point campus.
The moon rising on our other side. This full moon is the “Full Flower Moon” named because it occurs when nature is in bloom.
A beautiful morning that would shortly give way to storms.
We quickly packed up and returned to the dock just in time to beat the rainfall. The clouds and rain were upon us.
The first cruise of the season is coming up. Limerick will arrive and we will head to Newport together.
“Truly great friends are hard to find, difficult to leave, impossible to forget.”
I enjoy reading your blogs. Have a wonderful summer.
Michael and I are enjoying our new to us boat. We sold Traveling Soul in 2020. We were boat less for several years and missed cruising. We now have Our Spot, a 36 foot Endeavour
power Catamaran, perfect for us and our feline. She was well equipped when we bought her however we have made improvements to make it ours.
Our intention is to go to the Bahamas for the winter and maybe even do the Loop.
Remember, if you ever get down this way, you have friends in Solomons MD.
Stay in touch
Keep bloging
I post on Facebook under Ann Rafferty Brown.
Stay safe
XOXO
Ann
Hope you both have a terrific summer. Magic Moment has been in the water since mid April, but we have yet to do any shakedown cruises except for a brief harbor tour. Sometimes Hope to catch up with you sometime over the summer.
Joe & Ann
Susie Marshall
Sounds like y’all are off to a great summer. I sure miss cruising in that area. We have some great memories of time spent there.
Ann Briwn
I enjoy reading your blogs. Have a wonderful summer.
Michael and I are enjoying our new to us boat. We sold Traveling Soul in 2020. We were boat less for several years and missed cruising. We now have Our Spot, a 36 foot Endeavour
power Catamaran, perfect for us and our feline. She was well equipped when we bought her however we have made improvements to make it ours.
Our intention is to go to the Bahamas for the winter and maybe even do the Loop.
Remember, if you ever get down this way, you have friends in Solomons MD.
Stay in touch
Keep bloging
I post on Facebook under Ann Rafferty Brown.
Stay safe
XOXO
Ann
watsons
That sounds exciting, Ann! I’ve seen a power cat and they look very livable. Enjoy!
Lynn Turner Fox
Hi Michele and Al. Hope you have a great cruising season. Looking forward to your posts.
watsons
Thanks, Lynn! Have a great summer, too.
Joe & Ann
Hope you both have a terrific summer. Magic Moment has been in the water since mid April, but we have yet to do any shakedown cruises except for a brief harbor tour. Sometimes Hope to catch up with you sometime over the summer.
Joe & Ann