Magnolia arrived back at her homeport last Sunday the 14th of September after a 280 mile sprint from Atlantic Highlands NJ. We had been “trapped” there for 5 days waiting for a weather window to open and when it did Magnolia took off. We covered the last 280 miles in a little less than 3 days and that was with a stop in the Sassafras River on Maryland’s eastern shore.  Since our return we have ourselves exceptionally busy with maintenance on Magnolia. I am going to apologize upfront that visiting is being significantly curtailed on this visit and for that I am sorry. Just not enough time in the day for everything.

In the last 12 months Magnolia has traveled more than 5200 miles and seen more than we ever imagined and met numerous wonderful people a long the way. The high points for me is being able to re-connect to friends and family we have not recently seen. In addition to being able to share a little of our life on Magnolia. It was particularly fun having my cousin Tom & Judy aboard in Maine. Magnolia’s saying is “we are simply a demonstration of what’s possible.” We will start south again next week and very excited to get started!!

Have you ever had a day where an experience was so far beyond expectations it was difficult to get your arms the idea you are actually there? That is how I felt last Sunday morning. Keep in mind we have been grateful for the opportunity life has given us, but I am not sure what can prepare a kid from Detroit for sailing a down the East River of New York City. Humbling does not come close…

To make the transit through New York takes a little planning since because of tidal conditions the rivers move extremely fast in this area. The planned passage from Port Washington NY to Atlantic Highlands NJ is about 40 miles. We made the entire trip in about 5 hours, about 8 knts which is sailboat FAST!!!

This is our track along the Manhattan shore and past the Statue of Liberty

Skyline as we depart Port Washington

We are going to Navigate this??? Note the Tug & Barge coming towards us.

Notice the “small” bow wake this monster puts off as well…..

A boat making the passage the same time as we.

In the past I have ridden Bicycle New York a couple of times and the route takes us right down FDR drive past Municipal Asphalt Plant.

Some friends took the blow picture of Magnolia as we passed the UN

Brooklyn Bridge

Lower Manhattan & Ferry Terminal

These things are surprisingly quick….just say’n

Ellis Island

Statue Of Liberty

Heading for Atlantic Highlands NJ – NYC thank you for a spectacular morning!

Magnolia departed Stonington, CT and made a brief fuel and water stop in Mystic, CT. Before heading onto Groton, CT. Kindred Spirit also departed Stonington for Block Island so that left their mooring ball available in Groton, CT. (Follow all that?)

Mystic has a lovely port entrance.

We continued onto Groton and had another love visit with Cutting Class reviewing charts and plans for the fall. We will hopefully share some of the trip south with them this fall. Dan & Marcia thank you again for the hospitality. Note: Dan & Marcia drove us around for shopping and took us to their home to do laundry. That is considered cruiser heaven!

Departing Groton we passed the entrance to New London Harbor where so many of the Navy’s Submarines are based. Luckily we did not cross paths with any of those!

We had good wind on a nice long beam reach along the coast of CT arriving into New Haven.

My friend and former colleague from Honeywell Days now moved back to CT and so we had not seen each other in a number of years. He was kind enough to drive down to the coast and we had a fun evening of catching up! Thanks for coming down Jon!

We departed New Haven at first light the next morning.

We had a long but easy passage the rest of the way down Long Island Sound to Port Washington NY.

Port Washington is the traditional jumping off point to pass through New York City. In addition it is an extremely cruiser friendly town with great access to shopping and laundry.

It is feeling a bit like reunion week aboard Magnolia. As we were departing Onset Eleanor Q was departing Block Island and a rendezvous was quickly established of Cutty Hunk Island which is along the south shore of Buzzards Bay.

Eleanor Q and Magnolia spent a great deal of time together on our trip to the Bahamas and back, so any opportunity we get to meet up is always welcome!

There is not a lot on Cutty Hunk but the island had a terrific vibe and we certainly enjoyed our walk around to explore. Frank and I even scored and ice cream….or two along the way.

Not sure of the current status but that was a Coast Guard Station at one point.

Saying our goodbyes to Eleanor Q we headed off to the fabled sailing city of Newport RI

I used to think you could really feel the history in Fredericksburg, VA and that area of Virginia. Let me tell you, this coast-line smacks you with history particularly I guess its called the “Gilded Age” turn of the last century time.

Crazy house in Newport Harbor.

Particularly fun was meeting up with my cousin and AnnMarie along with Deb and Jonathon. We had a lovely evening catching up along with a great meal! Thanks for making time!

Before departing we met up with Exuberant. With Bert away of a brief trip  Pru joined us for a lovely evening on Magnolia. Magnolia made a 33 mile hop over to Stonington CT to rendezvous with Cutting Class and Kindred Spirit.

We were introduced to Marcia and Dan of Cutting Class by our mutual friends on Kindred Spirit. We all spent various times together in Hopetown Abacos.

Grabbing a coffee awaiting Kindred Spirits arrival on Saturday.

Our first look at the new Kindred Spirit. Yup, the one we use to know was a Morgan Sailboat like ours. Since our last visit together they crossed to the “dark side.” That what us sailboat people call power boats. In spite of it she us a lovely vessel!

Kindred Spirit was out first “buddy boat” we ever had! We departed the Chesapeake together last fall. They will always carry a special place in our memories! Sadly they will not make to the Bahamas this winter but we are certainly hoping for a Maine Meet-Up next summer!

(M. Watson)

In case you ever wondered, this is how we get to dinner when we go out!

(M. Watson)

Magnolia as seen from Kindred Spirit. (She looks so tiny from up on the fly bridge…)

(M. Watson)