Cruisers know that schedules can prove most unwelcome. The whole idea of a schedule is anathema to the cruising lifestyle. The primary and most important reason why should be apparent: you do not want to do something heroic or stupid so as to make that schedule. There have been cases of skippers ignoring bad weather, for example, because they have to make a deadline. All bad. Fortunately, in our case, making the deadline caused no harm, just fatigue, as we had to run longer hours and distances each day than we might have otherwise. So, after we leave Cranston, we will definitely slow down and enjoy New England, and not race through it as we have to get there.
We made a stop in a small, but wonderful town called Milford, while passing through Connecticut. We met some folks who live there when we crossed Mobile Bay several months ago. You may recall my description of John and Sue C of the vessel "Debrief". When we met them, they had recently taken delivery of their North Pacific 43 in a town near Galveston, Texas, and were bringing her home. I recall spotting their AGLCA burgee as they passed by the mouth of Point Cadet Marina in Biloxi, Mississippi, and then following them not so far behind as we left. It was a simple call on the radio, and we became friends. We both arrived at Lulu's in Gulfshores, Alabama and actually met. We then bumped into them a couple times since then. But, they returned home in May of this year, and we keep on truckin'. So, it was impossible that I should be headed this way and not stop in to say "hi". Thus, as we neared, I called to see if they were around, and lo and behold, not only were they around, but they had space available for us to tie up and stay awhile. Unfortunately, we did not have time to spend due to our "schedule", but we did spend a night so we could do some rather major reprovisioning. John and Sue were kind enough to allow us the use of a car. We did not tour the area, but we found the provisions we needed so we could leave the next day. Thanks John and Sue. We will make every effort to stop in on our way back towards the Hudson to visit with you again, and hopefully have some time to sit around and chat.
We left Milford on track for the town of Stonington, CT. This is a place where we could stop for the last night en route to Cranston as it was a little more than half way between Milford and Cranston. Well, we were very suprised at what we found, and ultimately we stopped and stayed two nights (the second due to weather).
Our plan was to anchor out. Well, you know what they say about plans. We ended up taking a mooring. Which was fine, as I had spent a little time cleaning the mud off the front end of the boat and had hoped to keep the old girl looking presentable for our arrival at the Rhode Island Yacht Club. Also, there was weather coming and it always feels better being on someone elses professionally maintained and really heavy duty ground tackle. Furthermore, there was launch service included in the price so we didn't even have to put the dink in the water. Once we got settled in, we called for that launch and went into town.
The mooring field was run by Dodson's Boatyard, which is actually a full service marina with its own restaurant and bar, shipstore, boat yard, lift, etc. The folks there were really nice and helpful. It is sort of on the edge of town, so it was close to everything. Keep in mind, Stonington is a small town which can be experienced entirely during the One Mile Walking Tour which goes from the town dock all the way to the point past the old lighthouse. This tour we did the following day.
Stonington is originally a whaling town, but is now mostly the home of a commercial fishing fleet. Captain Nathanial Parker, one of the discoverers of Antarctica had a home here. Stonington is also known for a famous battle that took place here during the Revolutionary war. 4 large, rather well equipped and multi gunned English ships positioned themselves outside Stonington. Their goal was to take the town and steal the resources available on land. For 4 long and brutal days, they shelled the town. The town, however, defended itself with two canons, and rifles. Lots of folks came from the interior to help defend the town. History tells us that there were no casualties amongst the people of Stonington, but that the same cannot be said for the English, who ultimately left with their tails between their legs, never to return.
New England is very different from anything we have experienced so far. The architecture is different, the flora and fauna are different and the people are different. We had a great lunch in town before commencing our walking tour that included real New England Clam Chowder. However, around here it's pronounced "chowda". We then walked the town. We visited the old lighthouse, and walked in and out of numerous shops. By the end of the day, we were tired and ready to go back to the boat.
Hannah made dinner that night. She learned a nice little recipe in a cooking class she took, and carried the key ingredients with her from California so she could make it. It was very good. We all crashed early as the final day of our delivery would come tomorrow. Only 50 miles to go. 50 miles may not seem like much to landlubbers accustomed to travelling that many miles in less than 3/4 of an hour on a nice paved highway. However, when you travel at 7 knots (a little less than 7 miles per hour) 50 miles is a long day not on a smooth, paved road, but rather on an ever changing, sometimes unpredictable, and always moving, surface.
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