Fogbound!

Today is my dad's birthday.  He would be 111 if alive.  Dad (Papa) was a large influence on my life, and I hope he would be proud of me.  He was a remarkable man, who I admired greatly. 

We made it to the Cape Cod Canal (CCC), which is a shortcut through Cape Cod.  The CCC is managed by the Corps, and vessels over 65' have to check in with traffic control before entering the CCC.  The current can get up to five knots, so sailboats can only traverse it with the tide.  We made it trough the CCC without incident, and stayed at Sandwich, MA on the eastern end of the CCC.  Sandwich is a happening spot, as it is an entry point by car for vacationers and second home owners on the Cape.  When we arrived at the Sandwich City Marina, there were two restaurants on either side of us with live music and throngs of people.  We joined them!  We are currently anchored in Hull Bay, just outside of Boston,  It was an interesting trip today, as we had our first real experience with New England Fog.  At some points we could barely see our bow!  

Sailboat decked out for the 4th. 

At Jamestown, where we watched a heck of a fireworks show on the 4th.  

At the western entrance of the CCC is the Maritime Academy.  

The American Eagle, again.  We have been crossing paths with this cruise ship since Florida.  

The Coast Guard was our neighbor at Sandwich. 

Sandwich marina. 

Cod is a tasty local fish.  This is Kung Pao cod, Alexis ordered at the bar. 

Just like home!

The Corps strictly monitors all traffic in the CCC via cameras and radar.  

Our first seal pic! 

CCC history.  Note the patrol boats were made in Jeanerette, LA! Freighters used the CCC during WWI to avoid German subs.  

One of the Cape beaches. 

The restaurant. 

Leaving the CCC this am we hit the fog! 

This boat passed us about 100 yards away, and we could barley see it.  

Entering Hull Bay. 

I went for a brief swim in the 65 degree water. 

Sunset at Hull Bay.  The fog finally lifted about 2:00pm.  

 

Happy July 4th!

 Spending time here in New England has reminded me what a prominent role it had in establishing the good ole USA.  Many put it all on the line, and some where put to death by the English to establish our independence.  This area is highly patriotic due to its rich history, and it has been fun taking the tours of the many towns, cites and countryside where major conflicts took place, and gaining a deeper understanding of the conflict. One example, Newport, RI was occupied by the British for years during the revolution  before being rescued by the French Navy.  Life here was hard during the occupation, and when the French arrived, celebrations abounded.  Then came the War of 1812, and the city was under threat of occupation again, and during the Civil War, the US Naval Academy was transferred from Annapolis to here to avoid capture.  Military service is respected here, and many bars and pubs proudly display emblems of service.  Naturally I was drawn to the Globe and Anchor remembering my  Leatherneck father.  

We have stayed on the Jamestown side of the river, directly across from Newport.  Jamestown is a smaller, more sedate town than Newport.  There is a water taxi that runs regularly to Newport and back, so for a very small fee, we took the taxi to Newport and Fort Adams, the largest of the old seaport forts.  It was fun to experience the hustle and bustle of Newport, and escape back to Jamestown to relax.  Yes, we are old.....  We will watch the fireworks of Fort Adams from our flybridge, eschewing mingling with the masses.  It promises to be quite the show! 

Our friends and fellow loopers on Honey Queen took this pic.  Taylor Swift's house on Watch Hill, RI is in the background.  

These pics are from "The Breakers", one of the many Gilded Age mansions in Newport.  Not sure what the herd of elephants is about??  

The Breakers was owned by one of the Vanderbilt sons, and was donated to the state.  Heirs, such a Anderson Cooper of CNN fame, still support the city.  

Newport's waterfront. 

The French to the rescue. 

Have no idea what the feet in the center stand for! 

The Oliver Hazard Perry at Fort Adams. 

Fort Adams. 

Have no idea what this ship is going to do with its cargo. 

The water taxi. 

Jamestown waterfront. 

Birthday celebration! 

So, I have to be a little more careful navigating up here.  With 10' tides rocks like these go underwater, and destroy unwary captains.  

Jamestown house. 

Apparently there is an anti wind movement here?  

She is jealous of the hydrangeas..

Jamestown harbor with the bridge to Newport in the background.  Since we travelled by water taxi, we never crossed the bridge.  

Fish and chips.  The fish is Cod, which is delicious.  

Liquid lunch for me...

The smaller dinghy's for larger boats are called tenders.  This one wins the best name contest! 

Each marina or city dock has a dinghy dock, as most boaters take a mooring rather than actually stay at a marina.  The tides here make it almost impossible to tie to a fixed dock, and there is a shortage of marinas with floating docks, so the cites have installed extensive mooring fields, with launch service to pick you up from your mooring.  

Fort Adams history.

Newport from Ft Adams.  

Our second president, a fellow New Englander.  

The water front street in Newport was like a giant Magazine Street in New Orleans, with shops, pubs, hotels, restaurants, etc.  Just cleaner, and no potholes! 

A dessert soufflé in Newport. 

Jamestown prepares for the 4th. 

Newport pub with tons of military memorabilia.  And did you know the Tennis Hall of Fame is in Newport??  Lots of tennis stuff too.