I have to say I had never heard of Oak Bluff until the day before we arrived. The original plan was to head for Vineyard Haven but some significant weather forced us to seek better protection than offered by Vineyard Haven

Oak Bluff was the pleasantest of surprises! A thriving waterfront, a historic downtown and lots of Ice Cream Shops…whats not too love? ( https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Oak_Bluffs,_Massachusetts )

…and time to chill and enjoy a morning cup of coffee. Oh yes, there are limited mooring balls and no anchoring so we chose to share a ball than being assigned a stranger later on.

Wesleyan Grove – “Wesleyan Grove is a 34-acre National Historic Landmark District in Oak Bluffs, Massachusetts on the island of Martha’s Vineyard. Also known as the Martha’s Vineyard Campmeeting Association (MVCMA) or the Campgrounds, it was the first summer religious camp established in the United States. It is famous for its many Carpenter Gothic[3][circular reference] cottages with Victorian-style, gingerbread trim.[4]Wesleyan Grove ” ( https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Wesleyan_Grove )

Magnolia peeking out between the houses

The original Vineyard Vines….No, Edgartown was the original

Our favorite Ice Cream Shop….2 visits in 3 days…..

The morning of the “BIG” storm we decided to head in for a trim….insert dark humor here

Returning with the booty…a watermelon!

In the end we survived the storm though we did have a few tense moments…when you are on a mooring ball, not many feet from the neighboring boat and you it is blowing 40knts…you damn well better be a little tense or you are in the wrong business.

Morgan 3-Wheeler – I have never seen one of these before. Very cool ( https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Morgan_3-Wheeler )

I guess one mans junk is another ones art????

Patient shoppers…..

Game night….they did not do well with the colors orange and red…..

Heading around the corner for Vineyard Haven

Annette and Michele made it to the farmers market

Annette has been practicing her SeaGlass wrapping.

Annette and Mary (SV Pegasus) took the bus across Martha’s Vineyard to visit Aquinnah, Massachusetts formally known as Gay Head ( https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Aquinnah,_Massachusetts )

Gay Head Light ( https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Gay_Head_Light )

I did not know until researching this blog that Jacqueline Kennedy Onassis had a farm in the area. Her Red Gate Farm is available for 65 million if you are interested.

( https://www.christiesrealestate.com/sales/detail/170-l-239-1906111036074454/red-gate-farm-the-jacqueline-kennedy-onassis-marthas-vineyard-estate-aquinnah-ma-02535 )

Long time readers know Greg & Marie Rogers (SV Second Sally) taught us most of what we know and gave us our start in cruising. Its was great we were able to meet up in Vineyard Haven

Having SV Second Sally (Greg & Marie), SV Pegasus (Rod & Mary), MV Kindred Spirit (Al & Michele) & MV Magnolia all together called for a party!

Every good party starts with good food which often and particularly this one starts early in the day. Todays main menu is Anthony’s Famous Barbecue Pizza. The beer based dough spends several hours resting and raising in the darkened but warm engine room. For more details see ( http://a2baker.com/magnoliablog/?p=4143 )

The dough is rolled and placed on the grill for to bake one side

The crust is then flipped and the desired topping applied

10 minutes later…poof pizza for the gang!

Early the next mornings it was time for Kindred Spirit to head for home. It was has been an amazing couple weeks shared with Al & Michele.

Kindred Spirit underway and heading for Groton CT with Second Sally behind..

Next it was time for Second Sally to get underway, they will be along the Maine coast in a couple days.

Annette and Mary went for a morning walk & shopping before Magnolia got underway for the trip across Vineyard Sound to Hyannisport, MA on Cape Cod.

Departing Nantucket was a little on the sad side since that was as far east as were going to make it this season…it was also the first step in heading back home though we have LOTS to do before that happens!!!!

We departed Nantucket to a little late in the morning to better take advantage of the tides/currents in Nantucket Sound. The tides through there run over two knots and so you certainly do not want to be pushing AGAINST that and better yet letting it push you along in the RIGHT direction.

Arriving Edgartown Harbor ( https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Edgartown_Harbor_Light )

The First order of business was to find where the Vineyard Sound Acapella Group ( https://www.vineyardsound.org/ ) were performing. I was a bit skeptical if I would enjoy going in but the show turned out to be very good.

There were a couple of songs that went way beyond good…they were amazing!

Thanks go to our Vineyard experienced tour guides!

I have not been to many churches in the USA that were established before 1650!!! I find that utterly amazing…..

Next up was a road trip over to Vineyard Haven….

in search of the Original Vineyard Vines Store…..no silly…

We were in search of the Grace Episcopal Church! Huh? You are saying….looking closer you will not the sign for “Lobster Rolls.” ( https://www.yelp.com/biz/grace-episcopal-church-vineyard-haven ) See Grace Episcopal Church! has used the proceeds from their weekly sales to support the charitable work for years and you get the best darn roll on the island….talk about win win! ( https://www.facebook.com/gracechurchlobsterrolls/ )

Ok, not the best picture but boy was it good!

The church is in an amazing neighborhood AND you can pick this “little” place up for a few million…dont expect us to be retiring here!

If you are going to live on the Vineyard, you had better like Cedar Shingles….in Washington DC if you want a job for life you become a Escalator Repairman on the Vineyard, Cedar Shingler!

Long time boat friends Cheryl and Lee came by for a visit. We first met our freshmen year in Wardwick Wells and have crossed paths all over the east coast ever since.

National Ice Cream Day was appropriately celebrated oboard Kindred Spirit….YUM!

Edgartown Harbor has a floating barge/dock anchored out that allows you to take on fresh water. Never sail past easy access to fresh water….even if you have a watermaker!

This picture is actually from Tashmoo but forgot to include….one of my favorites!

Oak Bluffs and Vineyard Haven next!!!

Departing Cuttyhunk Kindred Spirit & Magnolia headed Lake Tashmoo.

Entering Lake Tashmoo from Vineyard Sound can be a little challenging for deep draft vessels but we did not have any troubles. Some history of Lake Tashmoo ( https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Tashmoo_Springs_Pumping_Station )

Kindred Spirit traversing Vineyard Sound.

Magolia being passed by a sailboat…not the first and not the last….the life of a Krogen Owner….

Arriving Tashmoo we met up with our mutual friend Colin. (MV Tortuga)

Al Watson in his natural habitat

Colin aboard Tortuga

Magnolia’s Official Photographer, Mrs Michele Watson and her able assistant Alan Watson captured the below photos. They will become the center piece of our new note cards!

Departing Tashmoo Magnolia and Kindred Spirit made passage for Nantucket.

Spending time with my pal, Nuntuckets version of the “Thinker.” ( https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/The_Thinker )

The crew of Magnolia has never visited Nantucket before so we all took a bus tour of the island to get an overview. I thought Sankaty Head Light and the surrounding area was really beautiful. ( https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Sankaty_Head_Light )

Enjoying a beautiful sunset aboard Magnolia

We could not visit Nantucket without a beach day. Even anything made a rare beach appearance!

Celebrating Annette’s Birthday started with a her favorite sparkling rose wine. Michele wove the amazingly soft dish towel.

We then visited a lovely restaurant in Nantucket for dinner.

As is always the case we had a terrific celebration.

These are the people most like the image behind!!!

Heading back after a wonderful evening

Cedar Shingles are definitely the siding of choice along with beautiful flowers!

Yes, lets go to the Brewery today cause it might rain TOMORROW!!!!!

Lobster Rolls at Cisco Brewery ( https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Cisco_Brewers )

Of course we did not realize it till the day we were departing we found that fellow Pentagon Sailing Club members Rhonda & Bruce Hoglund of “The Norm”

Next stop we head back to Martha’s Vineyard and Edgar Town Harbor

Kindred Spirit departed Groton and Magnolia Lake Montauk. We both arrived Block Island in the afternoon for a brief stay. Weather was closing in and we wanted to get further east before its arrival.

We did make time for a sunset ice cream run!!!

The following day we were off to Cuttyhunk which would give us good weather protection and less crowds than Block

Kindred Spirit is actually a bit faster than Magnolia but I did have to catch her on our poty quarter.

Rounding north shore of Block Island

We did see a couple other Krogens out. One was an unusual version that had a couple of masts for sails!

I guess sails do help!

We have favorable west winds and fair current making the passage a real delight.

Arriving and getting settled we headed to Lookout Park Cuttyhunk to get a view of the island.

Thats Magnolia anchored in the outer harbor right in the middle of the picture.

Descending from “Mount Everest.”

As is often the case, the sea and wind delivered yet another voyager to Cuttyhunk . SV Cutting Class, (Dan & Marcia). They returning west as we headed east which made the visit to Cuttyhunk all the better!

We fired the barbecue on Magnolia and everyone brought what they had aboard.

A wonderful evening of eating drinking catching up…..and CHOCOLATE!!!

As Dan and Marca headed off to Connecticut but crews of Kindred Spirit were in search of breakfast…which brought us to the Cuttyhunk Fishing Club. ( http://cuttyhunkfishingclub-bb.com/ )

I will say the breakfasts were fine, not extraordinary, but the view of Vineyard Sound was amazing

As we travel more and more in New England there is one aspect to the area that really appeal to my OCD. The rocks! All over the islands the rocks have been collected stacked into fences, houses and many other structures.

Lobster trap floats…a wide selection

Hang’n with Jake and Elwood!

Kindred Spirit prepares for her coming boat wash!

Next stop, off to Martha’s Vineyard

The summer tour begins…first stop a short hop out to Fishers Island for some post 4th of July fireworks. We had never visited Fishers Island and frankly I really did not grasp how many people actually live on these islands that physically separated from the mainland. Ferry boat in their only mode of transport. I guess you just make a ferry ride part of the plan as you need.

Kindred Spirit at anchor in West Harbor Fishers Island, NY (Yes its New York in spite of the fact it a lot closer to Connecticut)

A great location to catch the afternoon races.

The crews aboard Kindred Spirit

We woke to a little fog…Magnolia engulfed!

Fishers Island

…..and then the fireworks barge arrived….JUST off Magnolia’s Bow…this could be interesting…..

Yup….very….ahhh….interesting….intense

Spectacular

back to interesting…….

In the end we were destroyed in a ball of fire though I would not have wanted to be any closer that is for sure!

Afternoon walk through the lovely park at the edge of town

Kindred Spirit had to make an appointment so while they took care of that, Magnolia headed for Montauk Lake.

The passage down to Lake Montauk, NY was an easy half day passage.

This is the coast of Fishers Island…lovely area for sure

The “Race Lighthouse” This light sits at the edge of Fishers Island in an area known as the race. During tide changes, the water RACES through here (https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Race_Rock_Light )

Entering the harbor you are greeted with the beautiful Montauk Coast Guard Station. What a summer posting this would make….perhaps the winter not so much ( https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Coast_Guard_Station_Montauk )

SV Kismet (Jim & Laurie) were to be in Lake Montauk as well. We hera Kismet often on the HAM Radio but we seem to narrowly pass in many anchorages. Exploring Montauk Lighthouse was a real treat. ( https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Montauk_Point_Light )

Looking south to the quiet today Atlantic Ocean….some days not so quiet!

SV Kismet headed out heading west…something about a grandbaby!!!! 🙂 So exciting

Next post Magnolia meets back u with Kindred Spirit in Block Island, RI

We arrived in Groton, CT a couple days before we had to depart for Detroit. We had a wonderful evening catching up with a number of people at Shennecossett and greatly appreciate SV Cutting Class for getting the ball rolling. The night before our departure we were gifted with a sensational sunset sendoff.

The primary purpose of our trip was to celebrate the wedding of my youngest niece Sydney and her husband Rodrigo. It was a wonderful afternoon!

My niece Lori cutting a rug with her daughter.

The happy Grandparents my Mom & Dad

My Brother and his daughter Sydney

A rare sighting….I am NOT wearing shorts!

Even though Magnolia was 700 miles away…we were able to keep an eye on her from the UConn webcam!!!!

We had very little time in Detroit but we did sneak in two special events. Friday morning while every one else was working we ran down to the Ford Motor Company Piquette Plant. ( https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Ford_Piquette_Avenue_Plant )

Annette quickly found her care…of course it was Red…and it has pockets too…inside joke

I tended towards the blue coupe…

The volunteer docents gave a great tour and VERY enthusiastic !!!

Later in the afternoon we were joined for dinner by my nieces Lori & Janine…of course we gabbed and missed the picture!!!! Speaking of pictures…our friends Al & Michele sent some of Magnolia who hung on their mooring ball while we gone…THANK Al & Michele!

The day after returning to Connecticut our friends on SV Minx arrived fr a brief stay. As always we enjoyed our visit with Jay and Tonya. It was great fun to introduce Al & Michele as well as Anthony’s Famous Grilled Pizza with homemade Engine Room Dough!!!†

Next post the “Summer Tour Of New England” really gets rolling!

Once we knocked out the New Jersey coast passage Magnolia was really on easy street! We had good weather and easy passages along the coast of Connecticut.

First stop was a 270 protected cove near a small group of islands.

It was a lovely way to spend an afternoon and evening!

I even took on a small boat project of wiring and installing some waterproof under counter lighting!

Next stop was the Thimble Islands. Our friends on Amici have a ball there and a great location to meet up with them!

Another tranquil anchorage to watch the world….( https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Thimble_Islands )

Of course we ONLY consume ice cream from historically significant parlors ( https://www.ashleysicecream.net/history ) yea thats not COMPLETELY true…..

Last stop on the Connecticut coast tour was into Groton Connecticut.

My friend Tom Leclercq was a submariner out of Groton. Said Ledge Light was how they knew they were home. ( https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/New_London_Ledge_Light )

Arriving Groton we were welcomed by our friends Al & Michele of MV Kindred Spirit. They too were members of the class of 2013!!!!

We are off for a quick trip to Detroit and my nieces wedding. More next time!