Rule #1: Keep Debbie Warm!

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With temperatures in the low 60's and threatening to go lower, it is time to get serious about getting out of dodge!

Our plan is to leave for Bermuda on or about Oct. 23rd, and then sail from Bermuda on to the Caribbean leaving Bermuda on the 6th of November.

Lots of people ask, why not just harbor hop your way South along the Atlantic Coast and then leave for the Caribbean from Miami?

Well, that seemed like a great idea to me right up until a couple of months ago when I started talking to folks that have done the trip before.  There are two very good reasons that the Bermuda route is a "no brainer".

1. Check out the map above.  When you head South along the Atlantic Coast you are also putting in some significant miles to the West.  If you take this route it basically a 3,000 mile trip by the time you reach St. Martin.  If, on the otherhand, you take the Bermuda route the trip is 1700 miles.  Over a thousand miles shorter!
2. The Caribbean trade winds blow from the East.  So, if you make the trip to Miami and put in all those miles to the West, you then need to regain your Easterly position by sailing 1,000 miles upwind into the Trades.  No thanks!!

Maine - I need to go back sometime soon!

A Good Day of Sailing

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20 knots - heading towards Block Island

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Cruising with Mom!

After surviving Irene with no issues, Morpheus was back in the water and anchored off the Newport Bridge by 4pm on Monday.  There was plenty to do to get her back to cruise ready status - reinstall the boom, rerun halyards, get the sails back onboard, etc, etc. 

My Mother and Debbie returned from their visit to New York and we left Newport for Block Island just after noon on Tuesday. 

Deb and Mom - How long until we can leave??

Sunset cocktails at the Narragansett Inn, dinner at Eli's, and a stop at Aldo's bakery were next.

Sunset at the Narragansett

We left Block Island Wed. morning and made our way 35 miles to the West where we stopped at Shelter Island Yacht Club.  We are still there today, and will move on to Sag Harbor tomorrow.  A big trip consisting of 6.5 miles!

Block Island's Great Salt Pond

Classic Block Island Photo

On our way to Shelter Island

Hurricane Irene - One Giant Flush!

We are heading from Block Island over to Long Island today and every time we cross a tide line we have been forced to slow down and dodge giant tree trunks, branches, garbage, etc. No dead bodies yet!

Looks like the effects of Irene will be with us for a while!

Jim
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Still no wind off Block Island!

Maybe we should have come here for the hurricane...
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We are out of here!

3rd star to the right, and straight on 'till morning!

Morpheus being launched post hurricane

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Morpheus - still in one piece post hurricane

So happy!!!!
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Hurricane Irene Update: Things are a bit better

So we are looking around...
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Hurricane Irene Update: Wow...it's windy

Glad I took Morpheus out!!!
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Huricane Irene Update: Wind Increasing, just lost power

We've been watching a 25+ foot sailboat all morning. The boats jib unrolled hours ago and slowly beat itself to death. It split into at least two pieces and then the main started to get free and we thought things would get interesting. Well, I guess they did because the next time we looked out, the boat was missing both sails AND its mast!
The storm center is somewhere between here and NYC. Winds really starting to come on now. Puffs must be 50+, I wonder where they will top out?
Water level dropping but not as much as you would expect. High tide this PM will be interesting!!
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Hurricane Irene Update: High Tide!

Looks like we had about a foot to go before the water reached the dock and a bit more before it started making it's way up the yard towards the house!!  High tide has passed and the water level is now dropping!!

Hurricane Irene Update: 0730: All's Well

High tide is right around the corner.  Looks good so far.  Winds are "ok".  Computer says 45 is the highest so far.

All ok for now.

-Jim

Hurricane Irene Update: What do the animals know?

There are NO birds in Newport! They have all gone away. Strangely quiet now. Weird...
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Hurricane Irene: Things should ramp up from here....

Morpheus - Out of the Water

Well, she's on dry land with her back to the expected wind direction and all we can do now is hope that we have prepared as much as possible.  The winds should come out of the SE, S, SW and finally the West.

Deb and my Mom are heading for high ground, I am dumb enough to stick around and think I can help the Comforts at home or the boat.

-Jim

Hurricane Irene - Lots of Company!

The boatyard is buzzing with activity. Boats are being hauled out as fast as the yard can make it happen, and everyone is working hard to secure their boats and equipment.
Its a beautiful day. Hard to believe that something really ugly is right around the corner!
Jim
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Hurricane Irene - She's Out!

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Hurricane Irene - The Calm before the Storm?

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