2025-07-13 Lots of friends in Bridgeport and disappointing fireworks in New London

 

Had a nice sail from Port Washington to Cockenoe Island.  A bit of a lumpy anchorage until sunset, then it all calmed down.  Long Island Sound can get lumpy with boat traffic, especially on weekends, but when night falls, it is just wind driven waves, which you can plan for.

 Monday we got to Fairfield, and stayed at a transient floating dock at Fayerweather Yacht Club.  They only charge 1.50 per foot per night – so great price.   There is no water or power at the floating dock, but you can use the clubhouse, and the launch is included in the price.  Fun fact - Fayerweather is very close to Captain's Cove in Bridgeport.  Captain's Cove is where we had our first Manta, What If hauled out while we worked on it, and where we started cruising from in 2011.

Charm at the floating dock at Fayerweather, with Captain's Cove in the background.

Monday afternoon Dean went and had a nice visit with Jim Sinnott, a friend from work when Dean was at Bigelow tea.  They had a good time catching up.   Kris stayed on board and took the water maker motor apart again, cleaned and checked the brushes, as it was running sluggish last time we used it.

Tuesday we went for a nice walk – and got eaten up by mosquitoes, which are quite bad here near the water.  In the afternoon, we met with our financial advisor.  Good news – we are not broke, and are under budget on spending, so he told us we could and should spend a bit more if we want.   Kris is happy, as she wants a new shower control valve, some engine maintenance maybe, and to stay at a dock with power for heat should the temperature drop below 60 degrees at any point.  Yes, we are the big spenders.

A pretty little street in the Black Rock area of Bridgeport, CT

Nice bee farm bordered by two homes with a lot of flowers in the yards.

You just never know what you will see when walking around neighborhoods.

Wednesday, we met our friend John McCraw for lunch at Super Duper Weenie.  Dean and John worked together at Bigelow, and used to eat there frequently.  Good catching up with John.   After lunch, we walked to the grocery store, got a few things, then back to the boat. 

Kris and John enjoying the french fries.

John and Dean in front of Super Duper Weenie.

Wednesday night was a nice treat, we went out to dinner with good friends Mark and Laurie that we spent a bit of time with when we lived in Connecticut.  Our son Derek was friends with their two sons.  As it happens frequently, the parents remain friends, while the kids grow up and grow apart.   It was a great dinner, and even better conversation and catch up.

Dinner with our friends Mark and Laurie.  Great to catch up

Thursday we headed east, as we wanted to make it to New Haven by the 12^th of July for a big firework show.  It was a motor trip, with flat seas, better than headwinds though.   About halfway into the trip we came to a spot where currents must meet because we saw a bunch of Mylar balloons spread out over an area.   Since the seas were flat, Kris decided we needed to pick them up.  We motored in circles, zigzags and other various turns, until we had picked up all 13 of the Mylar balloons we could see.  Even got a small neon green nerf ball.  I think anyone who spend time on the water gets to hate Mylar balloons.  Even with the balloon detour, we made it to New London and anchor down by 6:30 p.m.

Kris stuffing collected Mylar balloons into a trash bag

Flat calm seas - a bit cloudy - but excellent motoring weather

Friday we took it easy.  Kris worked on some financial stuff, and we took the dinghy out and toured the harbor a bit, because we saw a large ship lifted on legs.   They have three wind farms going in around the area, and New London is the staging point for them all.   You realize how big those windmills are, when you see one blade on a cargo ship, and it takes up all the room from stern to bow.

The special ship just for installing wind farms.  Lifts on its 4 legs to remain stable.  Weird to see that big of a ship on 4 small looking legs.

Yes, that is a wind turbine blade filling up that very long ship

We watched that same ship on stilts leave the harbor later.  You can see the 4 legs and how tall they are.

Saturday, we got busy on a couple of projects.  We had ordered new foam for Deans salon cushion when we changed the fabric, back in January 2024.  Used the older foam for all the rest of the cushions.  Kris noticed her foam seemed a bit saggy, so wanted new foam, and Deans side is still nice and supportive.  So we got new foam for the bottom cushions on Kris’s side and installed that.  

Old foam and leftovers from new foam.  Now to cut it all up and stuff it in a trash bag

We also started working on a new water catch for the port side, as the fabric on that side is falling apart and developed a hole, letting all the water out.

Saturday night was the big day – largest fireworks show in Connecticut.  It was not good.   Fog started rolling in around 7:30.  When the fireworks show started you could see the fireworks launch from the barge and go up and up, and disappear into the foggy clouds, and then the foggy clouds would turn white, or red, or blue, but that is all you saw.  Disappointing.

We imagine this was a rather pretty red colored large firework.

We will head out today when the fog lifts to Fisher Island, and spend a couple of days before heading off to Newport, Rhode Island.