Moving North

After spending some 5 weeks in Rhode Island doing various boat projects, island hopping, waiting for Craig to take his recertification test and a visit with friends from back home, we are finally moving north to Maine.

We weren't sure if we would make it all the way to Maine with our crazy mixed up schedule.  The original plan was to go to Maine while we were waiting for the dreaded test date to arrive.  By the way, it has come to our attention, that some people thought Craig's "test" was some sort of marine or captains test.  It is quite the contrary....he took the Board of Anesthesia recertification test.  He has to take it every 10 years to stay board certified.   Anyway....after consulting some local knowledge about Maine, we learned that we need to spend more time than just a few days (not including the several days it takes to get there and back with an optimal weather window).  So we decided to stay in Rhode Island, which is no conciliation.  Narraganset Bay is a beautiful place to be in the summer time.

After leaving Barrington, where we received our new part for the generator, we headed to Third Beach. We sailed down the Sakonnet River which is the east side of Aquidneck Island, where Newport is.  Third beach is the last protected anchorage in Narraganset Bay, at the mouth of the Atlantic.  It is considered the perfect jumping off point to head north.  We traveled up Buzzards Bay to Onset Bay to rest overnight before going through Cape Cod Canal.  We also picked up a sailing dinghy that we bought on Craigslist.  The gentlemen we bought it from has 4 daughters and was so excited that it was going to a home of 3 girls.

heading down the Sakonnet River

Third Beach Anchorage

Our neighbors

Sunset at Third Beach

Leaving Third Beach, heading into the Atlantic 

Onset Bay Beach

Maggie's footprints in the sand

Kate's compound

Onset Bay

Our new sailing dinghy

Taking it out for a test sail

Bill with Olivia - whom we bought the sailing dinghy from

Heading through Cap Cod Canal

The canal itself is approximately 8 miles long and has a strong current.  We timed our passage through the canal to go with the current.  Our speed increased from 5 knots (motoring) to 8 knots.  It makes the trip just that much faster.  These boats behind us where doing the same thing.  The canal itself is 60 feet deep, beautifully tree lined with homes, parks and a bike path on either side.

On the other side of Cape Cod Canal, heading north to Plymouth, MA., our next stop.