By June 12 we were ready to meet Limerick on the water and do a little cruising.
We met in West Harbor on Fishers Island. It was quite windy so Al helped Cindy pick up the mooring line.
We left at 7:00 am to catch the best current through Wicopesset Passage at the eastern end of Fishers Island. This was an opportunity to see the homes along the northern shore of Fishers Island, a route we don’t often take.
Limerick following behind.
It was a good ride, 3 1/2 hours for 20 nautical miles.
After settling in at Block Island, we went to the beach mostly because the weather forecast did not look beach-worthy for the next few days. It seems that I took no photos? That’s fine because there are certainly plenty of Block Island beach photos from previous visits.
This weekend was the Off Soundings Race and the sailboats were pouring in. It seemed like a never ending parade. Fun to watch!
Saturday, June 14th was cloudy, and wet. That did not deter us from the day’s activity.
We are suitably attired for the weather and the dinghy ride.
What was the plan for the day? You may recall that across the nation, 5 million people turned out to protest for the “No Kings Day.” Even tiny Block Island had a protest planned.
Nearly 300 people lined Water Street in the dreary weather.
The next day was cloudy and cool and decidedly on the dreary side. It became a hang out on the boat and chill day.
The captains needed a problem to solve, as usual. Our stabilizers have always required numerous steps to activate them which was both annoying and abnormal, but those were the directions we were given. Lo and behold, Al and Don figured out the proper way to engage them so that now it is a quicker automatic process instead of the manual steps.
One of the goals for this trip to Block Island was to do something different or something we haven’t down in a while. When we were younger we would bike around the island and see both of the lighthouses. Biking isn’t really an option anymore so the four of us rented a car for the day (On this dreary day in June, it was easy to strike a bargain with the car rental place. “Wink”)
The winds were still pretty strong which would make for a wet and wild dinghy ride, so we opted to take the harbor launch to land – another first! The day improved greatly after that.
Block Island was sometimes called the “Bermuda of the North,” by mariners for its dangerous shoals and frequent fog. Between 1819 and 1838, 59 vessels were wrecked on or near the island.
We drove out to see the North Light. There is a parking lot and then a walk on a sand and stone beach.
Seals and seagulls
The first lighthouse on this north point was erected in 1829. The current lighthouse is the fourth in this location, built in 1868. It was discontinued in 1973 and then relighted in 2010. A more detailed account can be found on the website New England Lighthouses.
There were gulls nesting all over. This is a protected area for them and they must know it because they are not afraid of people at all.
Settlers Rock resides in the parking lot, dedicated for the tercentennial, June 17, 1961 (we were there on June 16th!)
This stone was placed here September 2nd 1911 by the citizens of New Shoreham to commemorate the two hundred and fiftieth anniversary of the purchase and settlement of Block island by the following named persons who landed at this point. “original Settlers original Purchasers”
It was a treat to drive around the island and see more than where our feet could take us, especially since the crowds had not arrived yet. Next stop – Southeast Lighthouse. I was eager to visit this spot again and looked forward to a tour of the historical lighthouse. Alas, there were no tours that day. I spoke with a woman fixing a sign who said they can’t open consistently due to the lack of people willing or available to staff the lighthouse. Disappointment!
The lighthouse was built in 1873 in a Gothic Revival style to house two families who worked the light. The erosion of the cliff was significant over the years so the entire structure was moved in 1993. Quite a feat! There is a nice video, “Beacon on the Bluff” about the lighthouse and the relocation process on the Southeast Lighthouse website.
The erosion of the cliff was known even as it was under construction and became more significant over the years. The entire structure was moved in 1993. Quite a feat! There is a nice video, “Beacon on the Bluff” about the lighthouse and that process on the Southeast Lighthouse website.
The Block Island wind farm is visible from the cliff’s edge. I remember sailing past them in 2017 on our way from Cuttyhunk to Montauk. They are considered small compared to the ones that are under construction now.
Mohegan Bluffs are next to the Southeast Lighthouse with spectacular views of the ocean.
The cliffs rise 200 feet above the shoreline with a 141 step staircase down to the water. I have fond memories of those stairs and the beach below from years ago.
Mohegan Bluffs got their name from a Native American battle in 1590, where 40 members of a Mohegan raiding party were said to have been driven off the cliffs to their deaths by the Manisseans, the victorious natives of the island.
After our drive around the block, we stopped for ice cream at “The Ice Cream Place” in town. The day had become quite nice and sunny after an overcast morning.
Dinner at our favorite place – Dead Eye Dicks! This is the summer of lobster rolls so three out of four of us had them. And yes, I chose the brussel sprouts over the french fries. What can I say?
Back to gloomy skies with a topping of fog, dampness and chill. Tuesday was another boat day.
Al washed the sides of the cabin. Notice the red socks? He saved them from his colonoscopy and put them to good use. I guess?
Wednesday was another foggy morning. Enough! we both decided to depart. Limerick would go to Napatree for a few days while we headed back to land to see Ceci’s dance recital. The fog lifted enough by 10:30 so we departed.
The fog returned. Once we left Salt Pond we needed the radar the entire way back to Fishers Island Sound.
The fog cleared enough after Watch Hill Passage and then, boom, slammed down again! We could hardly see any of the land nearby as we carefully made our way home to Shennecossett.
Once we returned home the weather changed again and was beautiful but hot for the next few days. I was beginning to suspect there may be a pattern this summer. It is nicest when we are on land? We shall see…..
I think we just missed you at Block. We were there for Block Island Race week. It was a mix of heat, fog, and showers. We had our granddaughters with us for several days including one excellent beach day . Lots of fun and good memories. And, the South Lighthouse was open for visits when we biked there on a very hot day. It’s air conditioned so well worth the entrance fee
watsons
One of these days we will be in the same place at the same time! Tomorrow we begin the 2nd annual Grandkids Boat Camp at Napatree.
Prue Preston
I think we just missed you at Block. We were there for Block Island Race week. It was a mix of heat, fog, and showers. We had our granddaughters with us for several days including one excellent beach day . Lots of fun and good memories. And, the South Lighthouse was open for visits when we biked there on a very hot day. It’s air conditioned so well worth the entrance fee