Next on the itinerary for this 2-week trip was Block Island. On Sunday, June 2nd we departed Newport ready for five days of R & R & R – Rest, Relaxation, and Revelry.
The Newport Bridge and Rose Island Lighthouse. The lighthouse is still on my wish list. You can visit it by tour boat or even by your own dinghy.
On our way to Block Island on a beautiful day! The W/D burgee on the bow is flying on both boats, a gift from Cindy and Don. It’s going to be another fun cruising summer together for the Watson/Dahl boats. 😍
Passing by Point Judith, Rhode Island
Kindred Spirit pushed hard to get ahead and past a huge ship carrying parts for a windmill. We looked back and saw that Limerick also made it. It must be noted that there was no real danger of not making it. Neither of us would risk that!
Our route of 22 nautical miles with sunny clear skies overhead and flat seas with ocean rollers beneath us.
It’s always fun to see what driftwood structure has been built on the entrance jetty.
You know you hav arrived at Block when you pass the US Coast Guard station in Salt Pond.
We rafted together on the east side of Salt Pond. It has been a while since we anchored over there. The conditions were good with a forecast of low winds.
While poking through the various and sundry boating items in our basement, we re-discovered our old (20 years ago for most) boating burgees and flags. They brought back many memories! Most of the flags were worn and ripped on the edges and corners. My repair efforts were not too bad….
From left to right – ~ Our “personal“ flag designed while we were in Newport – an anchor surrounded by scallop shells. ~ Krogen flag (the newest one) flying for the first time. ~ SYC burgee ~ Bitter End Yacht Club burgee from our charter in the BVI (22 years ago) ~ Block Island flag ~ Martha’s Vineyard flag ~ A custom Power/Sail (a propeller, a wave, and a sail) flag made for us and our friends, Chuck and Steph. They were power and we were sail. It still works because we have been both now.
Our time at Block Island overlapped with Dan and Marcia on Cutting Class by one day. Dinner Party on Kindred Spirit!
We had some glorious weather at Block Island, just like at Newport. It felt like such a gift after the rainy days of winter and spring. Time for the beach!
Block Island’s beaches are some of the prettiest around. The rocks protruding from the sand along the water’s edge are one of BI’s best features.
Our beach walk was rewarded with three pieces of seagrass and a nicely worn piece of pottery. This was a rare treat for these times. The stones with stripes were keepers too. I call the black and white one a “skunk rock.”
The erosion on the cliffs must have become much worse over this past winter. Here is a stretch that someone is trying to save by planting new sea grass held in place by burlap.
It was one of the best days on the beach but the water was too cold for a swim. That said, there were brave (crazy?) people who went into the surf, briefly. Back at the boat, the water in Salt Pond was 69 degrees. It felt REFRESHING, but 15 minutes was it!
The sun set on a fantastic day.
Unbelievably, the next day was again sunny! After a walk on land, we dinghied to the beach by the channel. The U.S. Army Corps of Engineers dredger, Murden, is working on the channel. The dredging helps maintain a 0.6-mile-long entrance channel extending from the ocean to the pond. The channel is generally 18 feet deep and 300 feet wide.
We landed the dinghy at the edge and watched the dredging. And watched the Murden come closer and closer….. before it turned around and went back out again. There is always something to watch here at the entrance channel.
A walk along on the sand inside the jetty – beach pebbles and beach roses.
We took an up close look at the driftwood structure.
Looking out to sea.
Two more SYC boats were here at Block, Our Nest and Gale Warning. Perfect time for a big happy hour. We missed you, Mary Jo and Dean!
Thank you, Lee Ann, for the food and group photos.
The guys munch and chat.
The ladies – Patrice, Lee Ann, me, and Cindy.
Wednesday was our “go to town” day. New Shoreham, the town’s official name, is the smallest town in the smallest state in the United States.
I needed to refresh my dinghy skills and shocked myself by starting the engine on the first pull. That probably won’t happen again.
First stop was Dead Eye Dick’s for lunch. Cindy was craving lobster rolls, so we just had to indulge her wishes. And, of course, satisfy our own cravings! They were delicious!!
A silly photo. Dead Eye Dick’s toilet paper holder is unique.
After lunch, we walked into town to revisit the sights. Once again, our June timing makes it soooo nice. Few crowds, perfect weather.
In August 2023 a fire destroyed the historic Harborside Inn in the center of town on Block Island. We heard about it but this was our first time back to Block.
Fifty firefighters and at least four ladder trucks from around the state were flown and shipped in to help fight the flames. It took about an hour for crews and a half hour by the Coast Guard boat.” “The fire started in the kitchen’s exhaust hood over the stove. The exhaust hood had allegedly not been cleaned all year, was covered with grease, which then ignited, causing flames to spread throughout the hood, which then entered a wall cavity, where they moved upward to the second and third floors, and finally the roof.” Block Island Times
The roof had caved in and although much of the building was still standing, it was too far gone. What remained of the building would have to be demolished and removed.
For now the empty lot is filled with rental mopeds and bicycles. Let’s all hope the Harborside is rebuilt soon.
After all that walking about we really, really needed something refreshing.
“The Ice Cream Place”!! Of course. It is situated next door to the Harborside and was very very fortunate to escape the flames.
Kevin scooped our ice cream. He knew every flavor’s ingredients by heart. This photo of his parents hangs on the wall. They met and married right here. Isn’t that the sweetest story? Will Kevin meet the love of his life here, too, and carry on the tradition? Time will tell…..
Another tidbit – This are stump chair is what is left of the tree that shaded the patio of The Ice Cream Place. The tree was severely damaged by the Harborside’s fire and had to be cut down.
Uh oh. Look what Al is investigating!!!
This 13-foot Boston Whaler has seen better days. I can literally see the wheels turning in Al’s head. “Can I rescue this one???” He did post a photo of it on the Whaler Facebook page – “Great find on Block Island. Comes with dinner still attached to the bottom.”
So peaceful.
A glowing sunset over Salt Pond (thank you, Cindy!)
We stayed at Block to wait out a rainy day before leaving on Friday to head to Napatree. We accomplished our goal of R & R & R!
Just missed you. I was there for Off Soundings racing on a C&C115. Got back from BIRI yesterday, It was a rough 6 hours motor sailing. We plan on returning with our Kindred Spirit in August. Maybe we’ll see you there.
I absolutely love this post. I wanted to be there with you. Looks like a fabulous trip. I’m jealous as hell but I know Harry would never step foot on a small boat! So glad you guys love it so much! ️⛴️
David Comando
Just missed you. I was there for Off Soundings racing on a C&C115. Got back from BIRI yesterday, It was a rough 6 hours motor sailing. We plan on returning with our Kindred Spirit in August. Maybe we’ll see you there.
watsons
Sorry we missed you! We will be out and around in August. Hope to see you.
MaryJo
What a wonderful time. Yes, I’m jealous too.
James McGuffin
Great post!! I assume you have a single engine as do I. Have you ever had an incident where you wish you had two?
Do you have stabilizers? How necessary are they?
Ellen Margel Seltzer
I absolutely love this post. I wanted to be there with you. Looks like a fabulous trip. I’m jealous as hell but I know Harry would never step foot on a small boat! So glad you guys love it so much! ️⛴️