Voyage 2016: Chapter 3

19 Aug 2016, Salem, Situate, and Onset, 41 44.322 N/ 070 38.946 W

We left Rockport at 0615 for Salem. Never been there before so why not? However, we had to leave early (0615) as weather would worsen in the PM. We arrived at the Brewer mooring field at 1000. Launch driver led the way to ball 6254. Nice place but pricey. We flagged the launch later in the morning, took showers, and headed for town. Neither of us felt very good so we took in a few sights and headed back to the boat. Next day we felt better but the wind was howling 20-25 kts so we stayed onboard.

Today we left for Scituate MA and arrived at 1245. While we were entering the inlet, a Hinckly picnic boat passed us out of channel. Thump ..thump! Boat stopped and would not start again. Don't know what they hit We chatted with Fran on Easy Rider for a bit but stayed on the boat. We were here less than two months ago so we just enjoyed the scenary and the boats as they traversed the harbor. The lighthouse is as impressive as ever and its in our front yard.

Today we left for Onset at 0610, entered the canal at 1000 (at slack water), turned into Onset channel (with 4.5 kt favorable current in canal) at 1215 and anchor down at 1245. We will stay on the hook for the next day or so and then take a ball at PIYC. We hope our friends are still here but it is late in the season and some may have left. We will see!

29 Aug 2016, Onset, Newport, and TS Hermine, 41 44.328 N/ 070 38.994 W

We arrived in Onset around 1600 on 19 August without incident. We had entered the CC canal at slack water and we were spit out the other end an hour and half later with a drift of 4.5 kts. We anchored in the friendly anchorage outside of the Yacht Club mooring field. However, two days later, we fueled up at the PIYC and took mooring ball #9 (our usual).

Next day, we rented a car and took Bob to the eye doctor. During our trip down from Maine, Bob had eye flashes and even more floaters. Our doctor advised that we have it checked out so we did. We visited Dr. Dave in Wareham where he gave Bob the OK. The retina was still good. Last year it was Ann and doctors in Onset. This year it was Bob. As a treat, we decided to drive to Chatham to see the seals. Lots of traffic later, we saw nothing as there was no place to park. Cape Cod is nearly as crowded as the DC area!

Glenn, one of the dock masters at PIYC remembered that Ann liked vegetables from his garden. He kept the tradition going this year with cucumbers, squash, and other yummy stuff. Barry and Will also welcomed us back. We did not see Dave, the launch driver on this return trip. Luckily, we did see him in the Spring. SV Chanticleer, a Cruiseheimer comrade, took a ball next to us and invited us over for drinks. Glad we finally met them. Lots of cruisers stop here as it is a very friendly community. Next trip North we will make Onset our hub.

Two days ago was Illumination Day, our last 'must see' event for the voyage. The wind was blowing to 25 kts during the day so we were a bit concerned that the event could be cancelled. However, the winds quickly subsided as the sun departed for the day. Sure enough, at 2100, line after line of flares illuminated the dark shoreline all around Onset and the surrounding coast. Glad we made it again this year for Illumination Day.

Yesterday, we left #9 and headed down Buzzard's Bay with slack water but soon to turn foul. Trip was uneventful under our usual motor-sailing protocol. We arrived at a relatively crowded anchorage in Newport at 1630. After dinner, we looked at the GRIBs and the Wunderground forecasts and we were concerned that TS Hermine would catch us here or Long Island. Tomorrow, we have to wait for a medicine delivery at Seamen's Church Institute. Once received, we will leave for the Chesapeake and tuck into the Sassafras River (we hope). Weather will be annoying but not serious (we hope [again]).