thank you................from P

We have been saying "thank you" a lot lately. With rare exception we are greeted each morning with a bright orange and yellow sunrise which morphs into a nice 10 to 15 knot breeze during the middle of the day, capped off with another colorful sunset over the dark, clear sea. Temperatures are ranging from the mid 60s to the high 70s. It just makes you look up and say thank you.

These conditions have allowed us to spend most nights at anchor behind an island or breakwater, or tied to a mooring ball which itself is anchored to the bottom. Mooring balls are set up in organized "special anchorage areas" and are very popular up here. Either way, in this weather Senara and her crew are happier anchored out away from the noise and expense of the crowded marinas. I have noticed a pattern up here - large power boats (and there are some incredible power yachts up here) fill the marinas, and us blow-boaters typically anchor out or pick up a mooring ball. Works for me.

We have been taking our time since "turning around" at Nantucket. Over the past three days we explored the fishtail area of Long Island - out on the northeast coast. I remember having a few acquaintances in college from Long Island, NY. I always envisioned them living in a stereotypical crowded dirty New York scene. I never knew how lucky they actually were! Hundreds of miles of deep, beachy, clean coastline dotted with deep inlets and small enchanting towns. We explored the waterfront of Montauk harbor, mostly marinas and marina services. We dinghied into the downtown area of Greenport; once again we were unexpectedly delighted. This town was not planned for tourists - it evolved as locals built their businesses - seafood, ship stores, hardware, groceries, scrimshaw, pubs, marinas, a theater, and of course ice cream. A place with personality - and a dinghy dock.

Yesterday, rock shoaled lighthouses again punctuated our view as we sailed around the fishtail and across the LI Sound, each worthy of a proper painting. The only downside to this area are the confounded flies! They are small, black, smart, aggressive biting flies. They only want to sail with us (and eat us) when we are away from land. Very strange. As soon as we get settled at anchor they seem to fly away to go find another boat under sail. Actually, I can understand that!

Around the point headed to Greenport. I could live here.

Orient Point, LI. As we surfed through this inlet the current pulled us along at 8.5 knots. We set a record for depth - it was 360 feet deep on the other side of this light!

Plumb Island light.

Today we will weigh anchor, sail up the Connecticut River, spend one night in a marina to charge batteries and provision, then tie Senara to a mooring ball for a couple of days as we visit K's college roommate and her family - thank you too Maura! I am kind of looking forward to a proper shower (I am sure K will appreciate it even more)!