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1/15/06
An invitation to
cruise with the Ducks.
As I write this piece
for the DIYC newsletter I am looking out my study window in Madison,
CT, at a frozen white, windswept yard. Admittedly there is some
transient appreciation of the natural beauty but I can’t help but
daydream about our shared in- common avocation of sailing and
boating. My efforts to plan the summer cruising itinerary provide
for me a psychological buoy, allowing me to tolerate winter in
anticipation of yet another sailing season.
This year we will have
the traditional weekend cruises as follows;
Hamburg Cove: A
delightful well protected anchorage one half mile north of Essex,
CT. Traditionally our first cruise of the year. This cruise always
allows the opportunity for a shake down cruise, renewing old
friendships and meeting new members. It is an excellent spot for
members and friends without boats to get ferried over by dingy from
the marina at the head of the cove. Usually on Memorial Day weekend
the weather can be variable. Dingy rides to Selden Creek or to the
town of Essex have highlighted previous outings. Of course the
opportunity for the first cocktail party of the year has always been
a strong recommendation for this weekend. Once again Bob and Roz
Weinstein, MV Til, have offered to organize the weekend’s
events. (5/27/06 – 5/29/06)
Mattituck Strawberry Festival Weekend
(6/16/06 – 6/18/06): Usually an easy transit to the southwest
across L.I. Sound, the Mattituck inlet is the only port on the north
side of L.I.’s north fork. The anchorage at the head of the inlet
has been a favorite of ours for years. It allows access to the areas
nearby and unique points of interest. These include Vineyards and
some pretty fine wine, horse farms, potato farms, fine restaurants
and a rural layed back feeling that seems to have defied time. On
this particular weekend the Strawberry Festival offers a combination
of events creating an atmosphere of country fair, carnival, arts and
crafts, not to mention some very good, sinful strawberry short cake.
George and Christine van Drasek, SV / Isabelle, have
graciously, once again, agreed to plan the weekend.
Additional weekend cruises that are still
being sorted out as to dates or cruise leaders will include;
Independence Day weekend
Thames River Fireworks weekend – a
favorite of Joan and Joel Marcus, MV / Just Desserts.
Truly one of the more spectacular pyrotechnical exhibitions to be
had in our area. Town moorings off New London, CT, accompanied by a
riverside carnival in easy dingy reach.
Three Mile Harbor, East Hampton, N.Y.
– aka Boys and Girls Harbor Fireworks, aka Bastille Day celebration.
Steve and Rosalie Blunden, MV / Twilight Zone, will be
running this cruise to the heart of New York’s Hamptons. Prevailing
southwest winds usually allow for a great sail. Time the Plum Gut
transit with the tide and enjoy the lively, ever present breeze in
Gardner’s Bay. Inside the harbor another great fireworks exhibition
is in store. If you want to experience the POSH Hamptons shopping or
night scene, take a taxi into East Hampton village and bring your
credit card.
Port Jefferson Labor Day Cruise – This
has become a recent DIYC staple thanks to the efforts of Pete and
Ruth Connal, MV / Ceilidh. The last few years this trip has
been highlighted by a group excursion to a fine Spanish restaurant,
followed by a night of live theater at the local playhouse. An
evening walk along the streets of downtown Port Jeff on this
particular weekend offers additional live theater as well as great
ice cream. We have been well received by the Setauket Yacht Club and
allowed use of their conveniently located mooring field. Hopefully
the sailboat race back to D.I. will become a tradition.
A Maritime Weekend Cruise to Greenport
in September and the Columbus Day cruise are also in the
planning.
The annual two week cruise is currently
planned for 7/22 through 8/5/06. We will be heading to Chatham as
our farthest east and turn around point. Chatham is one of the most
charming of Cape Cod towns. It offers a wonderful harbor, aka Stage
Harbor. Moorings will be reserved. The Chatham A’s play minor league
baseball here, providing a wonderful opportunity for a group outing.
The Friday night band concert on the town green is truly a trip back
in time worth taking. Bring a blanket or folding chair. If you
haven’t taken the on water tour of Monomoy Wildlife Preserve, it is
strongly recommended to view the many hundreds of seals along the
shore area. Additional ports of call will include Block Island,
Cuttyhunk, Martha’s Vineyard, Quissett, Newport and Stonington.
Bicycling at these venues is highly recommended. Opportunities for
hiking will abound. I suspect there may be a few shopping sojourns
as well. Clamming and fishing opportunities have been popular as
well. As always we will plan for the arrival to port, sundowner
cocktail party at each new location, providing an opportunity to
share and embellish sailing stories of the most recent passage. An
appropriate number of carry in dinners and on-shore restaurant
excursions will be thoroughly enjoyed.
We invite all DIYC members to partake in the
2006 Cruising Itinerary. We are hosting a brunch on Jan, 29, 2006 at
27 Stacey Lane, Madison, CT to provide an opportunity to socialize
and firm up some of the aforementioned cruise plans.
Howie Simon
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