Our 2010 trip from Philadelphia to Block Island, down Long Island Sound through Hell Gate to New York City and back home was my first time offshore. We left Philadelphia July 3rd and motor-sailed down the Delaware River and Bay rounding Cape May lighthouse entering the ocean the evening of July 4th.
That evening as the waves rolled and the last blue-violet light of day clung to the horizon, I looked up at the sky and began to see stars emerge. There were so many they looked like fireworks standing still. They glowed and shone in twinkling rhythm, the vast blue sky steady behind them. As darkness fell over the ocean, I could barely make out the lights of land. Then fireworks flashed like brake lights in traffic. They flashed up and down the Jersey coast in all the seaside towns where people went to celebrate Independence Day. The vastness of that night, my first night offshore cannot be captured.
By evening of the second day, we had Montauk in sight and shortly after, Mohegan bluffs on the south shore of Block Island.
Arriving at anchorage
Coming into Salt Pond, the Coast Guard Station on the right stood watch as the sun set. Looking for a place to anchor, I was astounded by the number of boats anchored. We motored past row after row finally finding a place to set down the hook. It was late--we were happy to sleep.
To Do
It was late morning when we woke. Around noon we took a water taxi up to The Oar for a lunch of gin and tonics and seafood. There we met a man who began describing the place where he’d recently bought his sailboat and we realized he was describing our home marina! We had that small-world coincidence feeling that told us we were in the right place at the right time.
We began to wander the two miles into town, stopping to take pictures and pick up a few supplies. We found Block Island Depot, a grocery with some choice provisions. Looking for propane tanks, we stopped next at Island Hardware store. Then we worked our way into town finally reaching Sachem Pond.
Only on Block Island
The next morning, I awoke to a voice far off calling out. As it neared I heard An-di-AHHMMM-OOOOO, An-di-ahhmm-o! It was Aldo’s Bakery boat motoring up to those who hailed him either on the VHF or from the cockpit. As the boat approached our cockpit, we saw a spread of danish, muffins, breads, coffee and juices. I pointed to peach muffins which were carefully handed up to us with coffee. We also stocked up on bread: Challah and Italian.It was time to go, but with plenty more to do in Block Island we have good reason to return.
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