Marthas Vineyard, Greenport, Block Island, Port Jeff, Matiuk, Stonington, New Lo

[ottos]

Chef,

How about a beer at the Ugly Mug in CM? Depending on my work schedule....

[JimsCAL]

Just got back last Thursday from my annual cruise, hitting a few of the ports on your list. If you've never been to Watch Hill, RI you should put in on your list. Nice anchorage, great beach, and town is a short walk or dinghy ride. A bit of a pain to get in and out via the long channel from Stonington, but worth the detour. One caveat - the channel seems to have shoaled near the northern end as we saw a 40 foot sailboat hard agound in the middle of channel at mid-tide and a friend with 6 foot draft reported touching bottom in the channel this year. Another convenient spot to consider is Milford, CT. Cute town and from Milford Landing marina you a right in town and steps from a nice choice of restaurants, bars and stores.

[Tempest]

Dave,

I'm sure you've looked at it, as you've done this trip many times; But the favorable currents up the East River are pretty early a.m. on the 19th. you might want to stage yourself in Jersey City. Current turns against you in the gate around 11:47 a.m.

Really you'll be fine either way..leaving the highlands at 1st light..puts you through nicely.

I only say this because I was thinking of going up this weekend myself and was looking at the currents. Though, I may wait another week now. Maybe we'll cross paths somewhere.

Have a Great Trip!

[CalebD]

Dave/Chef2Sail,

I can't promise that I'll be available when you pass through NYC but if it works out I'd enjoy meeting your culinary Highness.
I can tell you that Liberty Landing Marina has added about 16 new moorings on the Manhattan side of the Hudson just north of the LLM site. They charge $75/night for a transient mooring and do provide a launch service with (I'm sure) limited hours, and a dinghy dock.
Within walking distance is our favorite, affordable, good food place called Walker's: Walker's Restaurant – Tribeca – NYC which will not break your wallet and provides good sized portions of comfort and healthy food.
There are a bunch of 'fancy' (read: expensive) places nearby on Greenwich St. like 'Tribeca Grill' and 'Wolfgang's Steak House'. Throw into the mix a Brazillian Steak House: tribeca new web and the choices are fairly broad, if not cheap.
If your palate veers more toward the orient there is 'Tamarind - Tribeca' (http://www.tamarinde22.com/) which is an upscale Indian food restaurant. I found the food to be very good, the setting elegant but not cheap.
Also within walking distance are: Kutsher's Tribeca (not quite Kosher but almost), Welcome to Flor de Sol NYC (tappas that used to be quite good but overrun with too many young folks), a few Italian and Continental places and even a McDonald's (which I do not recommend).
There is even a Whole Foods with a hot food court within walking distance of the $75/night moorings.
I'd bet that the moorings there (north of Battery Park City) get a bit bouncy but it is a cheaper alternative to a slip at LLM (by a few dollars).

I'll monitor your progress and see if we can arrange to meet up.
Enjoy your end of summer cruise.

Caleb D.

[chef2sail]

Mt Gay is good stuff. So are the margaretas. Shoving off here at 7 AM. Can't sleep as I am always psyched at the beginning of our vacation to get it started. This year with new electronics will be interesting.

Hope to meet you up there Minnie to put a face to the writing

Dave

[chef2sail]

Caleb, l shoot for the ride back. I would love o hang out for a beer or drink. We used to race a T27 with our first boat an Islander 28 and were very evenly matched. Always loved that model of Tartans. I have followed you posts and progress. Loved the bottom job you did a few years ago

Dave

[chef2sail]

Tempest,

Thanks, i saw that. Was planning on leaving at 6AM and riding the Express in from the ocean. Will have to fight a little till I get to the Ambrose Light but then it's a big push to the Battery and through Hellets Pt. we tend to get up early so we can make our destination by 3 and explore where we visit and reconnoiter a good restaurant. One hat has Lobsters in some form is a favorite as all we see here in the Chessie is those delicious blue claw crabs. My wife requires we have lobster rolls for lunch/ dinner/ appetizer at leat every other day, and I agree easily.

We should be transiting on Monday if everything holds. I'll pm you my cell.

Dave.

[chef2sail]

Ottos,

I am up or that as we are spending two days in Cape My on our way back. We always go to the Ebbit Room in the Virginia Hotel for my birthday when we come through. I rank it in my all time top 5 restaurants. The chef has won the Beard award 3 times.

I still have a mug hanging at the Ugly Mug I think.

Dave

[jppp]

Should be in Block on 20th,21st. A day ahead of you.
Fishers Island is Special. Extremely quiet. 1 bar, 1 restaurant, 1 movie theatre built around time of ww2, 1 ice cream parlor, 1 bowling alley which I hear has better food than the restaurant. Pirates Cove marina has trans morings $30. Nice anchorage. Oh, not too many people. Did I mention it was quiet? Because it is. Quiet that is.

[ottos]

OK, on your return then. I don't see the dates for that on your itinerary...but assume they are somewhat fluid at this point. I'll PM my cell.