Block Island to Sandy Hook Bay, NJ

Saturday 11/17/24 we crossed back over from Martha's Vineyard to Block Island trying to out run Ernesto which was coming up the coast from Bermuda.  We ran in 5 to 6 ft waves, 15 seconds apart.  The ride was surprisingly comfortable and we made it into the harbor just in time to get Roxie up to land for a bit and make dinner.   

Sunday morning the dolphins were busy catching their breakfast as we left the anchorage at Block Island.  We were up and out of there by 6am in order to make it through Plum Gut with a favorable current.  The ride was much like yesterday but a little gloomy.  

We anchored in Port Jefferson.  Ernesto was way off shore but it dropped over 5 inches of rain overnight and we woke to the dingy full of water! 

Monday morning 8/19 we left Port Jefferson and made our way to Northport NY.  This was the first time we had been in Northport and it was a really nice town.  They had a town dock that was free for the day, with water and electric until 5pm, then if you wanted to stay on the dock overnight there was a $2 a foot fee.  We needed some dock time, so we stayed for 2 nights.  

It was very interesting that the didn't having a floating pier, but they did have 10ft tides that changed about every 6 hours!  They had dockhands that stayed on the dock to tend ropes as the tides changed.  There were times that Bill had to use the dingy to take Roxie up to the park because the boat was too far below the pier!  

Wednesday 8/22 we left Northport and made our way to Oyster Bay.  We found that this area is one of the richest neighborhoods on Long Island.  The homes around the bay are very upscale and beautiful.  Word has it that Billy Joel has a home here on the water and it is currently for sale asking $49 Million! 

 

Well, we had planned on staying in Oyster Bay 2 nights, then to NY's Liberty Landing but the battery charger started acting up again!  We pulled up anchor Thursday morning 8/23 and started making our way to New York.  

Back under the 7 bridges over the East River and into the Hudson before dropping anchor at Atlantic Highlands in Sandy Hook Bay.      

New York to Newport Rhode Island

Tuesday morning 7/9 we departed Liberty State Park.  The skies were a lot clearer and our friends on Star Gazer offered to take a picture of Cheers as we passed by the Statue Of Liberty before we made way to the East River and under the Brooklyn Bridge. 

Passing by Manhattan headed toward the East River

Going under the Brooklyn Bridge

We made our way to Long Island Sound and anchored in Port Washington bay.  We have access to dingy a dock and groceries.  Enjoyed a quiet evening. 

Wednesday was very hot and windy with the temp at 87 and gusts in the low 30's!  It felt like we were in a convection oven!  We needed to get provisions in preparation for our tip north and ended up getting soaked by the waves coming back across the bay.  Luckily, our anchor held as did the boats around us.  The pictures don't show just how wicked it was!

Thursday morning we pulled anchor and had a nice 5hr ride in Port Jefferson.  Port Jefferson is at the end of a long narrow bay, with a small town at the end.  There is an anchorage close to the entrance but we took a mooring ball close to town that included a water taxi. 

Port Jefferson is a very touristy town and busy with shipping terminals, marinas and 3 car ferries that come and go every half hour until 10pm.     

 

While we were eating dinner at the Steam Room in town, I noticed folks walking with lawn chairs.....that's a good indication of something going on!  After dinner we followed these folks to the town park where they were setting up for a live band!  

Later that evening we enjoyed a beautiful sunset! 

 

The ferry got in the way of the best shot!  Of course!
 

The next morning it rained on and off until about 2 and the sun came out with a vengeance!   It was hot and humid and we decided to go into town for pizza.  We got back to the boat just in time to watch a storm roll in from the south. 

Saturday morning we left the harbor at 7:30 in the rain for a long ride to Montauk, which is at the tip of Long Island.  Lake Montauk has a large anchorage that offers a public dinghy beach.  In addition, from the beach you can walk about a mile over to the Atlantic side where there is usually high surf.  

On Sunday we walked over to the Atlantic side and stumbled upon a surfing competition.  The beach was packed!

Another magical sunset!

Monday morning 7/15 we pulled anchor and made our way in the open water to Block Island.  It is a little island with a large open bay.  The bay was packed with boats!   Just a short walk over the sand dunes and we were on Crescent Beach.  It was gorgeous!  

We stayed at Block Island for 2 nights and started our way to Newport Rhode Island on a hazy Thursday morning.  

Coming into Newport.  

Newport is very boater friendly and is probably the biggest and most crowded of any harbor we've been so far.  There are several marinas and a zillion mooring balls.  There is limited anchorage but the mooring balls were reasonably priced so not a problem.  We had access to multiple dingy docks all along the parks and town and free water on a little floating dock in the bay as well.  

We liked it so much we ended up staying 4 nights!  

In addition, Newport is the location of President Eisenhower's summer home, Ft. Adams and SSV Oliver Hazzard Perry.  We did the 2 mile hike around the fort and stumbled on the the summer home.   

The American Cruise Line docks here as well.  During our stay, I think we saw all 3 ships at port.  Out of curiosity I looked up the cost for a cruse, they hold 100 passengers or less and for a 7 night cruise....they average around $6,000!   I didn't see a casino on the floorplans! 

Provisions were easy to get, just a short walk away....made easy with our foldup cart.  Restaurants and shops galore!  Very touristy and busy.  We ate out 3 times during our 4 day stay.....The Red Parrot, Brick Alley Pub and the Landings Restaurant.  Everything was delicious!  

Looking forward to the trip to Buzzards Bay to stage for the Cape Code Canal.