trishlaplaca 
Original Post October 8, 2022
We finally left our harbor of refuge in Gloucester, Massachusetts to make our way down to the Connecticut River where Oyster will be stored for the winter. It’s been a week filled with an incredible range of “firsts”, beautiful sights and ever more fantastic experiences. Still, Jeff and I can’t quite escape the looming specter of having to give up our wonderful new adventure so soon. We dared contemplate the remote possibility of finding a dock space down in Florida, but unfortunately the truth just can’t be denied.
The more we think about it, being forced to do a little pivot may not be such a bad thing. In the end it’ll give us the chance to have Oyster in tip-top shape by the time we set out to do the America’s Great Loop. Her electrical system needs tidying up, and a new generator may be in order as well. She’ll also get a nice beauty makeover – whitened whites, painted blue stripes, and gleaming teak. While we’re apart in the meantime, she’ll be in fabulous hands at the Petzold’s Marine Center in Portland, Connecticut this winter.
SMOOTH SAILING DOWN THE CAPE COD CANAL
Last Saturday morning we started out by going down through the Cape Cod Canal in Massachusetts. We were warned that the cruise needs to be timed well according to the tidal flow. If not, you can wind up battling the current the entire trip. We entered into the canal at peak tide, and boy, oh, boy, what a wonderful ride it was! As a trawler, Oyster’s average speed is 7 miles an hour. Jeff and I grew more and more excited as we went along. 10 miles an hour…11, 12…and WHOA!… a record 13.6 miles an hour!! Such fun! It was wonderful to be pushed down the river so easily.
Walking paths with pretty foliage line the sides of the canal and many people took advantage on that gorgeous day. We had planned on holing up in the cove of small Cuttyhunk island once we exited out the other side of the canal, but it was still early. We decided to keep going to reach Point Judith, Rhode Island where Jeff and I married beside its lighthouse in 2007. Just before sunset we pulled in through its “east gap” and anchored in its “Harbor of Refuge”. Both a radiant sun and a full moon shone down on us simultaneously. Life was good.
Thanks for joining us ~ and stay tuned for more this week!
