2023-08-13 Block Island, Visit What If, Dinghy Decision

Most of you have heard the saying that plans are written in sand and low tide.  Well that seems to be our motto this last week.

We did head into town and got groceries - took a new route, which involved walking the tracks.

Wasn't a bad walk, but would stick to the road next time

We were planning on heading a bit north into Narraganset Bay, but rain put a damper on our motivation to move, so we just stayed in Newport.   On our second rainy day, we got a break in the afternoon, so went into town, had lunch, and the obligatory ice cream and then back to boat.    

Dinghy dock, and harbor office in Newport

One thing came of the wet weather, was the time to decide on the dinghy.  As you know, it has been having many slow leaks, and we finally decided to get a new one.    We also decided to get a new motor as well.    If you don't know, dinghy's are expensive, and so are motors - but luckily some fresh brownies helped us to feel less depressed about spending the money.

After the rain in Newport stopped, we had some decent winds to sail, so headed over to Block Island.  Lumpy sail, but nice to not motor.   Spent an afternoon walking around the downtown of Block Island, and our friends on What If came into the anchorage as well.    

Next day we all headed in, rented bikes, and had a nice ride around the island, including a stop for lunch.

Taking a break after a long hill, and seeing the view of the below photo

There is a trail that takes you around the lake, but we did not walk it this time.

 

Lighthouse at SE end of Block Island

Took a photo of us at a rock near the lighthouse,  took photo at same rock back in 2011 when cruising on What If

Our friend John, Derek and us.    Derek is now 23, living in Boise working full time as a full stack developer.  Our friend John still visits us on the boat every year when we come to Connecticut.   He also is kind enough to let us ship packages to him.

View from Bluffs on South coast of Block Island.

After about 6.5 miles of bike riding, it was time for lunch, and Ed and Cathy led us to a nice place with Lobster rolls and other good food.  Had a nice visit with lunch, then rode another 8.5 miles after lunch to the north end of the island and back.   Even saw some seals off the coast of the northwest shore.

We were planning on leaving next day - and heading over to Southold, NY where our new dinghy was waiting for us, but got a message from our friend John, that he had to travel out of state soon, so we changed plans, and headed to Old Saybrook to meet up with him instead.    

One of the things about cruising - you have to be willing to change plans as weather dictates, and avoid making firm schedules.   We enjoy that aspect - its nice to have flexibility.

We will stay here in Old Saybrook and meet up with John tomorrow - and not only getting to visit with John, but also pick up a new boat toy that he let us ship to him 😁

Stay tuned for next update to see what we got, and also should have our new dinghy next week.