Here is how it really played out day by day

Nothing is exactly as planned. We deviated from the original plan and this is the actual trip.

18 - 19 days, 844 nm (970 statute miles), 75 running hours, average 11.25 knots (46 nm per day).

1 Falmouth Harbor to Westbrook CT, Brewer’s South

2 Westbrook CT to Manhasset Bay, NY Brewer’s Capri West

3 Manhasset Bay to Newburgh NY

4 Newburgh to New Baltimore

5 New Baltimore to Schuylerville (Lock 5)

6 Schuylerville to Whitehall (Lock 12)

7 Whitehall to Essex (two days)

9 Essex to Burlington VT (two days)

11 Burlington to Basin Harbor VT

12 Basin Harbor to Whitehall - Lock 12

13 Lock 12 to Schuylerville

14 Schuylerville to Rondout Creek NY

15 Rondout Creek to Tarrytown

16 Tarrytown to Milford CT

17 Milford CT to Stonington CT

18 Stonington to Falmouth (Jim and Brenda)

Stonington to Newport (Joel and Sue)

19 Newport to Falmouth (Joel and Sue)

We are all home

All home safe and fairly sound.

Brenda and I made a nice run from Stonington to Falmouth Harbor yesterday morning. Uneventful as they all should be with calm seas and the ability to cruise along at 23 knots.

Joel and Sue stayed in Newport last night and returned to Falmouth this morning.

We hope all enjoyed the blog.

Frosting on the cake

Just to update everyone, Brenda and I will be heading home tomorrow.  We are currently in Stonington and one more thing happened to Bren when she fell into a hole and sprained her ankle.  She can't yet walk on it effectively so we are going to skip Newport tomorrow and make a bee-line to Falmouth.

Joel and Sue went out to dinner with Barb Holland (Bill Holland's Sister) and and her husband Bill. We were going to join them but it just wasn't going to work out. 

Hopefully the seas will cooperate tomorrow.  It got a bit lumpy today from Milford.  

By the way, I forgot we did not have internet access last night.  We stayed in Milford CT last night at the town Marina.  It was a very nice Marina.  Brenda rated it four stars!!  Too bad it is not closer since it would be a great place for an overnight.

I will try to blog after we get back home.  Joel and Sue are going to continue with the plan to go to Newport and will likely be back home by Wednesday or Thursday.

Tarrytown NY

Well, over the last few days we have had a change of plans last night but we are back on track.  Last night instead of staying on Catskill NY, we decided to stay in Rondout Creek NY.  Several folks had recommended it so it seemed like a good bet.  The Marina was ok with just fair accomodations but the town was quite the hopping spot.  I can see why many recommend it but the marina took a bit off the goodness.

Yesterday was not particularly a good day.  Because we decided to change our plans and travel an hour or so longer to Rondout, Brenda and I thought we better get Watson ashore for the previously defined S & W (see below).  We pulled into what should have been an easy docking at the Albany waterfront and while docking Brenda got her hand caught in the line and cleat.  She was pretty badly banged up so we went to the hospital and had x-rays.  Fortunately nothing broken but she is a mess and in considerable pain.  Thank goodness for codeine pills.  We are sure she will be fine in time but for now she has a HUGE bandage on it and is nursing the rope burns and swelling.

Tonight we are in Tarrytown NY.  It is a very nice little town with many restaurants and shops.  The Marina however while it seems sheltered has gaps in its wall and the river is rolling badly and rocking every boat in the Marina.  First time one of us has gotten seasick.  Likely a bad night of rocking and rolling with some severe storms scheduled for about midnight.  But tomorrow it is supposed to be better and we have made reservations for Milford CT.  Still trying to decide about the night after.  Either Mystic, Stonington or Block Island.

More tomorrow.

Locked in

Whitehall NY - Lock 12 Marina.   Today back into the locks.   VERY foggy.  Hoping it will lift soon.   Pix are from Converse Bay and Basin Harbor VT.  Having tough time uploading the pix.  More later B

I'm baaaack!

Hello All:

Have not blogged for a while.  Amazing how the days melt away.  

Enjoyed a nice visit with Bill and Amy Holland in Burlington.  Our new friends, the Zinks, can't understand how Jim and Judy Herron could drive so far to Whitehall just to wash my boat, and Bill and Amy drive all the way from Needham.  We are glad they did.

After an enjoyable cruise to Valcour Island on the only all sunny day so far, we spent the rest of the evening looking for a Ben and Jerrys  we could get into!  If there is a Dunkin Donuts on every corner in Boston, you would think there would be more than ONE Ben and Jerrys in Burlington, but noooooooo!

We drove around for several hours looking for another and then ended up with ersatz Dairy Queen right by the marina.

Enjoyed a nice ride to Basin Harbor and the Basin Harbor Club which has been in business since the 1800s.  Not really a marina, but they put us up.  A very protected harbor from anything but a west wind.  A squall moved in with close to 50 mph wind FROM THE WEST!  The crew even had to tie the floating docks together.  No damage and then it cleared and we had a beautiful night.  

Visited the Maritime Museum on the grounds where there is much being done to stress the importance of Benedict Arnold to winning the war.  (For you 20th degree folks, we have heard about Arnold, Schuyler, Gates, Sullivan, et al)  This area holds Arnold in much esteem for his efforts prior to his indiscretion.

We are back at Lock 12 now and will get through Lock 5 by tomorrow afternoon.

When we left the Sox were up 4 games and now are only up 1!  Dave Lovering was left in charge and this is what we have!

Looking forward to the Spuyten Dyvel canal which joins the Harlem River and cuts across the North and West of NYC and joins the East River at Hellgate.  This is a short cut to LI Sound. We will pass Yankee Stadium where I plan to give them the universal salute!

In Reverse.

Watson here.    Whitehall NY - top of the locks to you!   YAAAAA!  We are headed home!  Maybe I will dry out sometime soon.  Mom was doing laundry today and I thought about throwing myself into the dryer....    But what would 4 quarters give me but a few lousy burns and a lingering dizziness from the tumbler.   We were at a resort last night - Basin Harbor.   It was good because there were other doggies and lots of kids who wanted to pat me.   I have not been feeling up to snuff lately - but did a bit of howdying with my fellow canines.   I am a bit concerned about that retriever who could not find the thrown stick..  I watched him blow it twenty times this am before we left.  I was glad that "retrieving" was not a talent I particularly appreciate.   Why would anyone go after a ratty old stick?   Now a juicy bone - or a peanut ball or a T-bone stake or a roast chicken - any of those, I can see chasing.....     We have now cleared the Lake, heading south into the locks tomorrow.   Will be glad when we are back through them - no good place to stop and take a quick S&W (Sniff and Wizz).   I did share some of my chicken for dinner with mom last night at Basin Harbor.  They have put me on a basic rice and chicken diet.   And I am boycotting any forced marches off the boat.   Am going back to my nap..  At least the rain has stopped for the moment......W

Moving to Basin Harbor

Our internet subscription expires here in Burlington at 8AM so I am getting a short message into the blog.

This morning we will be heading for Basin Harbor Club.  Departing Burlington at about 0930 for the 19nm cruise.

Had a nice dinner last night with our friends Russ and Margo Zink whom we met several days ago in the locks.  Had a lot of fun with them. 

More later.

Burlington and a short trip to Willsboro Bay NY BEFORE the Monsoon hit!

Back safely in port after an excursion this pm across the Lake to Willsboro Bay.  And we raced quite a storm back.  Glad to be inside and dry - tho its JUST A TAD ROCKY!

I am such an easy mark...

Watson here.   Groan.   I am so easy - they wave a Burlington Bear dog cookie at me and flash - here I am back on the Talking Stock.  My life on the Black Pearl gone in an instant as I suck down this lousy cookie.  And now what am I left with?  Another day listening to lame jokes that I have heard at least forty times.

 Yesterday they took me ashore at Valcour Island in that flimsy little Rubber Duckie boat that perches on top of After You.  They stuck me in the belly of the thing while they all sat along the edge and got the good view.   At least I got to scamper and sniff to my heart's content on the island.  LOTS of doggies have come before me there!

  Last night they left me listening to NPR.  Which usually is not so bad - I really enjoy Click and Clack the Tap-it Brothers on Car Talk and even Prairie Home Companion isn't too bad - esp. when they have doggies howling.   But last night, it was the worst organ music I have ever heard.   My ears are still sore...  Oh well.  

Burlington is not so bad - but an awful long walk on the dock to get to a skimpy blade or 2 of grass.   Of course - I have the last laugh - when I see all those people sitting on the same skimpy patch later in the day...   W

Westport NY to Burlington VT

8am Burlington VT.  Yesterday's photos.  A big thanks to Amy and Bill Holland who drove 4 hrs from MA to join us in Burlington.  

Greetings from Burlington VT

We are safely in Burlington VT after a short 2-hour hop from Westport.  We arrived yesterday at 11AM to meet our friends Bill and Amy Holland who drove up here for a long weekend from Needham MA.

After getting Taking Stock tied up, the six of us and Watson set out for Sloop Bay on Valcour Island.  Had a great lunch provided by the Hollands and then went through the extraordinary effort of launching the dinghy and Amy, Sue Jim and Watson went ashore.  Valcour Island is a New York State protected area and is where Benedict Arnold held off the Brits to defend Ft Ticonderoga.  Very beautiful ashore.

Back to Burlington we had a little wine and cheese on Taking Stock and then went out to dinner.  We tried to go to the Ben and Jerry's in downtown Burlington but we guessed there was a one hour wait to get in.  Can you imagine!!!  We had to settle for some soft-serve.  Quite frankly I now remember why I haven't had any since high school.

This morning we are meeting the Hollands for breakfast and then we will try to eke out a cruise across the lake before the rain starts again.  We will see how successful we are.

I HAVE HAD IT _ OFF ON A NEW ADVENTURE!

Watson here.  I have had it with this cushy marina gig.  I am heading for the high seas looking for adventure. Here I am on my new ship (you have to play Where's Watson).  And I think I have found the companions to do it with!  NO MORE PURINA FIT AND TRIM for this puppy!  

Thanks to Bill and Cate Holland for their help in realizing my dreams!!  W

Will the Rain Never End!!!

We are having a great time but the weather has not cooperated very much.  All I can say is when W was in charge we may have gone to war and the market may have crashed but at least we had good weather in the summer.  It is July 4 and we have had rain off and on all day and it is in the 60s!  What up with that???

In spite of the above, the scenery is fantastic. The fireworks last night were right next to us and were very good.  Of more note was the fact that we could see fireworks from Basin Harbor, Vergennes and another place we couldn't figure out all at the same time from across the lake which is about 3 miles wide at this point.  Very dramatic in spite of the rain!

We plan to look into Partridge Harbor and Willsboro Inlet on our way to Burlington. 

We are told the weather is supposed to be good tomorrow............we'll see!

more from Westport..

And we have clean clothes too!