June 21-23                                   Port Jefferson, New York

The weather was great for our journey to Long Island.  We had sunny skies and little wind. Visibility was 100% and we enjoyed the trip up the East River and looking at familiar buildings and sights.  The United Nations Building was absent the covering that sheathed it last year when we returned from Maine.  The exterior was sparkling white and the new glass gave it a clean, modern look.  The recently completed memorial to FDR was an impressive white marble structure at the end of Roosevelt Island.  Details of the memorial were not visible from the river but could be discerned from Google on our cell phones. 

Going through Hell’s Gate, a narrow strait marked by the confluence of the East River, the Harlem River, and Long Island Sound, is always a time to exercise caution and maintain careful control of the boat.  The water can be filled with eddies and strong currents.  With our large engines, we easily handled the turbulence and made it through without difficulty.  The trip up the East River had taken an hour because the tide was against us and the current slowed us to five knots.

Long Island Sound was placid and we were able to maintain our full speed of 10 knots.  We reached Port Jefferson in little more than four hours and docked at the Port Jefferson Town Marina.  We were assigned to the main dock, secure not floating, and we were subjected to the movement of 7-8 feet tides.  Getting off the boat in low tide could only be done by climbing the dock’s ladder about four feet to the top.  This was difficult for me but David added a boost and I made it.  At high tide, we could easily step across the dock to the boat.  With such variations in water levels, David had to make certain the lines were tied in such a way that the boat could move as needed without undue strain.

After a short walk through Port Jefferson, we had dinner al fresco at the Danville Hotel.  The marina at the hotel hosted several large yachts and more arrived while we dined. Port Jefferson is a popular destination for boaters because of its many good restaurants and local charm. We shared a trio of ceviches, baby shrimp with a mild chili, bass in an Asian salad of seaweed, cucumbers, onions, and sesame oil, and bay scallops in a coconut sauce.  All were delicious.  We also shared an order of conch fritters (more cornbread than conch) and fried oysters (sweet and tender).  The ceviches were outstanding and we shall try to copy them at home.  Dieting is difficult when traveling (and will power is weak).

Early Saturday morning, I left David sleeping and went to the local Starbucks.  Internet service at the marina was erratic.  I bought a coffee, settled myself on a stool, opened my computer, and spent a very productive hour answering e-mails and posting my blog.  I felt like a real “geek” with my coffee and computer at Starbucks.  The tide and stationary dock made it difficult for us to exit and/enter the boat at many times during the day so we spent considerable time observing the active scene about us.
 

Sunday was a good day for breakfast out.  We chose Z’s Mediterranean Pita (the name is very misleading), a lovely small restaurant with great ambiance and wonderful food.  We both enjoyed omelets and fresh fruit.  Ignoring the more caloric Belgian waffles and pancakes was difficult.  We finished in time to attend the small outside market with displays of plants, produce, breads, and local crafts.  It would be fun to have a car and explore the Port Jefferson area with its lovely homes in the surrounding hills overlooking the Sound