June’s “Doomed” Cruise

We slipped out of our slip early on June 10th at 6:00 am to catch a favorable current to Block Island and meet up with Limerick to begin some of our summer cruising together. We rafted together on a town mooring but stayed on our own boats because Don had a cold and no one wanted to spread it or catch it.

While Don napped, Cindy, Al and I walked to the downtown area to see what was new and to, yes, you know it, have ice cream.

The Harborside Inn had burned down in August 2023 and the site had remained empty after the total demolition. Work has begun on the new 22,000-square-foot, 32-room hotel. Although construction will stop for the peak summer months, the hotel is expected to open for summer 2027.

There is always something to watch while sitting on your boat, whether on a mooring or on anchor. And Block Island is one place where there is plenty to see right from your own cockpit. When we had arrived we noticed that not all of the town moorings were in. The harbormaster said they were about three weeks behind. We watched Papa Bear installing moorings nearby. The still photos don’t look like much but it sure was interesting to watch.

By Saturday, Cindy felt like she was catching Don’s cold, who was now feeling much better. While they took a walk, Al and I went back to Coast Guard Beach to walk along the outer side.

To reach the outer side, you walk along the rock jetty that lines the channel. The “Great Salt Pond” was once a closed, brackish body of water. In 1895 the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers dredged a 300-foot wide channel, 18 feet deep, and about 0.6 miles long. “The Cut” connected the natural pond to the ocean. The original navigation project was completed in 1905. Massive stone jetties were secured with iron fasteners, tie-rods, and timber wharves to protect the entrance from the heavy currents of Block Island Sound. Great Salt Pond became known as “New Harbor.” I still call it Great Salt Pond.

Sunday was the better day for traveling to Napatree. To reach Sandy Point at high tide, we left Block island by 6:00 am.

We now refer to this little cruise as the “Doomed June Cruise.” Why? It began with Don’s cold and he wasn’t feeling well. Then Cindy had a minor version. But then… things went “south.” While getting out of the dinghy at the Watch Hill dock, Cindy cut her leg quite badly. First aid did not seem sufficient so Limerick returned to Sea Cliff (a long trip!) for medical attention which did require antibiotics. It is still healing 10 days later.

As if Limerick’s issues weren’t enough, Kindred Spirit’s crew developed medical issues. Only one of us. My face developed a stinging raised red rash which became worse with each day. When my eyelids also swelled and reddened we decided it was time for us to return home for medical attention also. It is fine now, after a week of prescription cream. The only suspect for an allergic reaction was a new sunscreen by a reputable brand labeled “for sensitive skin.” Go figure.

Therefore, it was a “doomed” cruise, but certainly not all doom and gloom.