Pictures From the Trip October 3, 2001 Last Cruising Update - Summary October 1, 2001 Cruising Update - From Annapolis September 26, 2001 Home Strech September 19, 2001 Last Of The Erie Canal September 15, 2001 Back on the Eastern Erie Canal September 12, 2001 Finishing the Western Erie Canal September 10, 2001 Lockport to Fairport September 7, 2001 Western Frontier of the Erie Canal September 6, 2001 Back in the Canal System September 4, 2001 Leaving The Great Lakes September 1, 2001 In our 7th State August 29, 2001 Ohio Has Libraries August 27, 2001 Vermilion, Ohio August 26, 2001 Fox Haven Marina August 22, 2001 In Put-in-Bay August 17, 2001 The End Of Lake Huron August 15, 2001 Down Lake Huron August 13, 2001 North Channel and Lake Huron August 3, 2001 Gore Bay August 1, 2001 Keel-Haulings July 31, 2001 Rocks Everywhere July 28, 2001 On To The North Channel July 17, 2001 Wouldn't Change A Thing July 13, 2001 Speed Limit July 9, 2001 Thousands of Islands July 5, 2001 Out Of New York July 3, 2001 Typical Day July 2, 2001 Cold Mornings July 1, 2001 Phoenix NY And Beyond June 26, 2001 Through The First Lock June 25, 2001 Up Around Manhattan June 15, 2001 Daily Routine June 12, 2001 Strolling The Vineyards June 11, 2001 Sag Harbor June 9, 2001 Block Island & Beer Can Music June 5, 2001 Lessons Learned June 1, 2001 The Tides Increasing May 25, 2001 Up The Coast Of New Jersy May 21, 2001 Getting To Know The Cruisers May 17, 2001 And So It Begins!

 June 5, 2001 

LESSON LEARNED #1: When NOAA radio says there is dense fog on Long Island Sound, BELIEVE THEM!

Story behind Lesson Learned #1: We were up at our usual 0600/0630 on Sunday morning, ready to travel on to Mystic, Connecticut. It was very foggy, as NOAA radio was broadcasting! So, we decided to wait until 0800. Well, around 0800 we had convinced ourselves that it was clearing so we started down the Connecticut River. We got half way to the inlet, couldn't see more than ½ mile in front of us, and wisely decided to pull out of the channel and anchor for an hour or so until it got a little brighter. At 1000 we once again convinced ourselves that the sun was starting to break through the clouds. Up came the anchor and on we went. By the time we got to the inlet, however, we couldn't see more than 200 yards in front of us. We were fine and knew where we were using the charts and GPS, but at that visibility it would have been a long trip since we had a three to four hour trip ahead of us. It was now 1100 so we decided to go back to our Essex anchorage and wait to go to Mystic until Monday. And wouldn't you know it - as soon as we pulled into the anchorage basin, the sun came out! Oh well, we spent the rest of the day doing the ever-present odd maintenance jobs. (Side note for other boaters: The anchorage in Essex that we used was just east of Nott Island. Although the channel is thin and there is just enough swing room, the water is deep within it and the anchorage was quiet and pretty).

LESSON LEARNED #2: Always read AND COMPREHEND Reed's (tide and current listings) before heading out.

Story behind Lesson Learned #2: On beautiful Monday morning, we once again set out for Mystic. We had checked tide and current tables two days ago so we knew "about" when the tide change would occur. We were off by about an hour meaning that for the first 2 hours of our trip to Mystic, we were against the tides - - translation: we were only going 5.5 MPH … with following winds! Not a problem, but the difference between 5.5 MPH and 7.5 MPH is a lot when you are anxious to get somewhere.

We stayed at the Mystic Seaport Marina last night - - the marina is right at Mystic Seaport Museum (a smaller scale, water-oriented Williamsburg-type village - - very pretty, informative, and relaxed). We were the only transient there which meant that during the evening we had the whole place to ourselves (+ the 2 security guys). Kind of cool! If anyone else gets here, we would recommend Trader Jack's tavern in the town of Mystic. It is a great local place with friendly people and ½ price sandwiches and appetizers during Happy Hour.

On that same note, we would recommend the Black Seal Grill and Tavern in Essex. Great food and friendly people. Also for the boaters who may go to Essex we found that the best place to tie up the dinghy when going to town is the town dock next to the museum (which is a pretty good museum, by the way).

We are now anchored off of Stonington behind the break wall. Stonington is much quieter than Mystic or Essex but still has lovely old homes and quaint shops (I'm assuming the shops are quaint. I don't know for sure as Brian won't let me do any shopping since the Mystic Seaport Marina charged $3.00/foot per night! Guess he'll have to drink even cheaper beer).

If the weather cooperates (and we remember Lesson Learned #2), we are off to Block Island tomorrow morning for several nights - - if we don't remember Lessons Learned #2, it could take us DAYS to get there.)

Jeri and Brian