July 9-10             Greenport, New York

Realizing we needed to cover more distance than originally planned, we bypassed Port Jefferson and headed for Greenport, within the “fishtail” at the end of Long Island.  This small village is a popular boater’s destination with many renowned restaurants, lovely homes,  and excellent shops.  Most of the homes are nineteenth and early twentieth century, two story with gingerbread trim and wide welcoming porches. 

We docked at Mitchell Park Marina, adjacent to Main Street and the hub of activity for boaters and tourists.  We were surrounded by a small group of large yachts and fishing boats. A quick walk through the village located a grocery store and we were able to re-provision.  Such easy proximity to a grocery store is rare for most marinas.  Returning to the boat, we ate a light dinner on the aft deck and watched the crowded scene at Claudio’s dock, a crab bar, across from us.

Sundays are special time in most towns—the traffic is less and bike riding is easier.  Greenport on Sunday was still active with boats and people.  We were able to take a long bike ride by avoiding the streets nearest the dock.  As with Cape May, the lawns were beautiful with huge bushes of blooming hydrangeas and many other flowers. Everything was lush and green—a reminder of the sorrowful state of my plants at home, withering in the intense heat of a Texas summer.

Dinner was at The Frisky Oyster, a casually elegant restaurant with a limited menu but serving excellent food.  Our first choice, Claudio’s, locally renowned for its excellent seafood and for being the oldest same family-owned restaurant in the United States, was crowded and a line was waiting.  We opted for a quieter venue and were not disappointed.  David dined on oysters and I had a wonderful black bass with shitake mushroom risotto.