Rating system: 5 * is fab - everything below that in descending order has some inherent "problems". I had planned to use graphics but am finding some limitations to this blob hoster so text will have to do.
Nite 1: Brewer's Pilot Point Marina in Westbrook CT: **** Pretty darn good! Have fuel for the boat and fuel for the people! Both sets of tummies filled happily. EXCELLENT Bathrooms and showers. Ice only $1.75/bag. Close parking on docks a short walk to the facilities. Even a hot dog stand for lunch. Great grounds - well maintained with lots of well cared for flowers. Dog friendly - Watson will have more to say about that I am sure! Staff especially Dock kids were very helpful. Boating neighbors very friendly and chatty with lots of advice for next leg of trip. Restaurant conveniently on premises. Well appointed. A little pricey - but clearly well liked as required reservations. Food was very tasty although the service was very slow considering we were seated well before the restaurant filled. Boom is the name of the restaurant. I had FAB Narragansett Bay Oysters. Jim opted for the Mussels in wine sauce - he was very happy. Sue had Salmon Nicoise - which was nothing like any Nicoise I had ever seen but she was happy and Joel had chicken. All in all a fine evening. Disappointment: no laundry facilities on prem and not close to any stores - food or otherwise. But a courtesy van was available to take you. Also for those so inclined: Pool on prem but a goodly hike from where we were staying.
Weather update: in middle of thunderstorm and monsoonly wind. Has cooled air appreciably. River has really whipped up and we are rocking quite a bit. Moved inside. Shut hatches.
Nite 2 Brewer's Capri Marina Port Washington NY (on Long Island): ** . A disappointment. This is a whopping BIG marina with lots of VERY LARGE vessels (most with For Sale signs). Has fuel - but you had to actually radio to get service on the fuel dock. Who knew? THe slips we were placed in were about 1/2 mile across floating docks to land. Not a good situation for poor little Wattie - but I will let him tell that. And then once on land, not a blade of grass or patch of gravel in the place! Ice went up to $3/bag and everyone we met told us NOT to eat at the Marina Restaurant if we valued our time away from home. The bathroom/showers were adequate and were clean. And there was a laundry on prem along with a TINY pool filled with little kiddies..... No reason to even contemplate that! Although wireless land and internet advertised - so weak, was impossible to use. There were plenty of Dock kids - but this was not a well oiled machine and they could not get out of each other's way - if any one of them could figure out where they were supposed to be going. The marina is located across the bay from the town of Port Washington and does provide a water taxi. There was no map to scale of the vicinty so it was impossible to tell where or how far you had to go. We went for a walk and found a big fancy public part - unfortunately they neglected to post "No Dogs Allowed" at the entrance to the park that had a fence around it based on the SingSing design we saw on our way "Up the River" yesterday. So we were verbally abused until we could make our escape - and even that was without little Watson's feet touching ground! We opted for our own water taxi - using Joel and Sue's "Rubber Duckie" - after all - this is the reason to lug the inflatable, right? Memo to self: Make sure the boys inflate the duckie fully before loading it with 4 people! We crossed through a gigantic mooring field, dodging lots of vessels big and small as the wind and waves whipped us around. We managed to make it across the bay to Louie's Restaurant where we tied up at their dock - a few more moments and there would have been no dignity left - wet bums are always problematic when eating at a fancy schmancy place! Food very good - but it should be ($$$). Joel and Sue had Linguine with Clam Sauce; Jim had a tasty Chiopinno and I had the Wasabi encrusted tuna with ginger which was great - tho Watson, the true judge of food was not happy with it. Made it back safely across the bay and watch the guys heft the duckie back up into its crow's nest position - ready (except for the inflating bit) for the next adventure.
Nite 3 Front Street Marina, Newburgh NY. ** The concept is good: redevelop the waterfront with marina and trendy restaurants and start the urban renewal of a small city in crisis. The waterfront area is lovely - 8 restaurants in a row with outdoor dining on the river. Unfortunately the renewal stalled there. So we were warned frequently: DO NOT wander off up into the city. Do not cross the railroad tracks. As it happened, the railroad bisects the waterfront from the rest of Newburgh and you could spit at it from the Marina. And since the frieght trains rumble through every hour on the hour, 24 hrs a day - it made for interesting noise and vibration interruptions through the night. There has been a lot of rain and the Hudson is filled with debris: large and small logs, branches, dock pilings, flotsum and jetsom. And it all collects around the boats and docks at the Marina - it is disconcerting to watch all these half submerged torpedos coming at you along the river and lolling around at water's edge. It turns out that although we are probably a good 35 to 40 miles up the River from NYC, that Newburgh experiences very dramatic tide swings. We saw that with one of the local restaurant patios being partially submerged for high tide. The facilities here are low average. At least the restrooms/showers were clean and locked like a fortress. They do have a big problem with geese and ducks - pooping up a storm all over the docks - it was like dodging a mine field to get to land! They did try their best to keep the major walkways clean - but with difficulty. Joel met his cousin Eric Peterson and his wife Jennifer across the dock. Eric is the local horse doc. Nice to have a vet in the family. Watson was happy to hear he was safe. Ice here $3/bag too! It is water people! The grounds around the Marina where the restaurants are located are parklike - with well maintained grass and flowers. It was a pleasant area to walk in - though we could not wander far. We chose the Italian Restaurant, Cena 2000 along the water directly in front of our boats. AAA had recommended it along with Joel's cousin Eric. They were right. Food very good - but again, $$$. Watson let me share his veal chop with him. Both he and I enjoyed it. Jim and Joel both had the 5 cheese ravioli with Bolognese sauce. One of Jim's favorites! and he loved it. Sue rounded it out with a chicken dish with lots of delicious grilled and marinated veggies. Peach Gelato for dessert - and Jim and I shared a Lemon Tart with Lemon Sorbet - and they forgot the Sorbet until we reminded them - that was the best part of the dessert! Tomorrow I will continue with my review of Shady Harbor and its restaurant - if the storm lets up!
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