July 7-8               Oyster Bay, New York

After waving a final good-bye to the beautiful Lady of the Harbor, we, once again, cruised under the bridges  and headed up the East River, passing without incident through Hell’s Gate with its swirling eddies, past Riker’s Island, and finally under the great Throgs (what in the heck is a throg?) Neck Bridge into Long Island Sound. The weather was sunny and pleasant—a perfect day to be on the water.

Since our good friends, the Leones had lived on the North Shore of Long Island, we had spent considerable time in that area and were familiar with the names on the chart as we cruised towards Oyster Bay.  This lovely little village is nestled among some of the most affluent residential areas on Long Island.  The surrounding hills are dotted with palatial homes and grand old estates.  Oyster Bay was the family home of Theodore Roosevelt and his house and grounds are now a National Park.  We have visited it on several occasions and always enjoyed the experience.

Centre Island is across from Oyster Bay Harbor and the lovely old Sagamore Yacht Club, located on its southern tip, greets boaters as they enter.  Centre Island is an enclave of “old money” and lovely homes on expansive and expensive real estate.  We were delighted to recognize one of the largest and most beautiful residences, built by friends, successful home contractors, for a wealthy family.  We had toured the house a short time before it was completed and were stunned by its size and expense.  The slate roof was imported from Ireland and had the lovely patina that only age can impart. Interior floors and many walls were rare hardwoods and special craftsmen were required for their installation.  As we viewed it from the boat many years later, the home was even more impressive with the gorgeous landscaping that surrounded it.

The Oyster Bay Marine Center was reached after cruising a serpentine route around the many mooring balls with small sailing vessels attached.  As we approached, we saw several boats harvesting oysters (they are so plentiful in the bay that one restaurant in town provides them without charge at happy hour each evening).  We docked at the pier and were amazed by the constant activity around us as boaters continually were enroute or departing from their boats.  I spent the afternoon cleaning and finishing many loads of laundry.  Dinner was light fare on deck.

We were excited that the following day, our friends, Jean Leone, her daughter, Jackie, and Eddie Barreta had agreed to visit us on the boat and then go to dinner in Oyster Bay.  As predicted, the day began cloudy but  rain was delayed until later in the afternoon. 

David had computer problems and Dell had agreed to send a repair person to the boat. (This service is part of SGA’s contact with Dell). While he waited, I rode my bike into town, completed some shopping, and indulged in a great pastrami sandwich at a local deli.  The repair person came as promised, installed a new motherboard, and David’s computer was good as new.  He rode his bike into town, got a haircut, bought wine, and returned to the boat just before the rain began.

Our guests arrived shortly after 6:00 PM and gamely trudged through the rain down the gangplank and across the dock to the boat.  We were overjoyed to see Jean and Jackie after almost ten years and to meet Eddie, Jackie’s longtime companion.  He proved to be a delight, very intelligent, easy to talk to, and possessing a great sense of humor.  Jean and Jackie were as slender and lovely as ever.  We were thrilled to see them again.

Dinner was at Wild Honey, a lovely local restaurant with the ambiance of a restored interior reflecting a nineteenth century era.  The food was outstanding and the service was attentive.   It was a good dining choice.  The rain had stopped and our guests agreed to return to the boat for an after dinner drink.  We were delighted to have this extra time with them.  Eddie promised he would someday bring Jean and Jackie to visit us in Texas.