June 17-22                            Boston, Massachusetts

Despite predictions of rain, we left the marina and caught a tour bus to see the city.  Unfortunately, we chose one with an uncovered top deck. A light shower soon became a windy downpouring of rain which forced us inside with a limited view.  The guide was great on history but knew little about architecture and Boston’s multitude of beautiful and diverse buildings.  We returned to the boat, drenched and ready for warm drinks and naps.

We had early reservations at Euno, a favorite Italian restaurant in the North End.  The rain stopped and we Ubered into that charming and unique area of Boston.  As usual, it was a crowded scene.  Dinner was superlative!  I ordered my favorite item on their menu, a veal chop which was large and perfectly cooked. Euno is a favorite with locals for its great food, service and old-world charm.  Waiters have been there for decades and it is truly like going to a small restaurant in Italy.  The rain began again and ended our plans to walk back to the boat.  We were amazed to see a long line of people under umbrellas waiting to enter Mike’s Pastry Shop.  Their cannoli are legendary.

Sunday was sunny and perfect for our trip to Cambridge and brunch at Alden and Harlow.  Their menu was limited and very innovative.  It was different but we enjoyed our selections.  At Harvard Square, we were amazed to see a wild turkey strolling nonchalontly down the sidewalk and ignorning the people watching. 

Afterwards, we Ubered to the Harvard Art Museums, now combined in a renovated building designed by Renzo Piano (familiar to Kimbell Art Museum followers).  Their collection of paintings, from medieval to modern, is exceptional.  The Asian galleries are noted for the rare and beautiful screens, scrolls and ceramics.  Charles and David patiently listened as I went into my “docent mode” and gave them an impromptu tour of the Wertheim collection of Impressionist art (once exhibited at the Kimbell many years ago) and then retired to the coffee shop area to wait while I continued to peruse the galleries.

Afterwards, we walked the beautiful campus of Harvard University, admired the architecture of the enormous Widener Library building, and went through the arch to the Harvard Book Store before Ubering to the boat. I retired for a nap while the guys returned to the North End to see more of that area before walking back to the boat.  They refused to stand in the even longer line at Mike’s to bring me cannoli! Dinner was at a nearby Legal Seafoods restaurant.  Crowded with numerous family groups (it was Father’s Day), we were fortunate to have a great table away from fussy children.

                            

Monday was a great day for cruising.  We left at 6:00 AM on a sunny morning with light wind and little traffic in the harbor area.  Without incident, we arrived at Wickford Shipyard at 4:00 PM and were delighted to find dock help waiting for us.  Our journey to Boston was a fun experience but it was good to be home!

Tuesday, we went to the Newport Car Museum (which is actually in Portsmouth) and spent several hours admiring and salivating over their exceptional collection of automobiles.  It is an amazing and beautiful facility which is privately owned and operated.  

Our farewell dinner for Charles was on the aft deck with two dozen oysters from the nearby seafood store.  A lingering sunset was a beautiful ending to his visit. 

 

 

 

 

 

                         

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

May 30-June 16                                      Boston, Massachusetts

We spent several days completing boat tasks to prepare for Charles Martin’s anticipated visit and our planned trip to Boston.  Dan came to repair the temperamental generator and Rube came to clean and polish.  Of course, unexpected difficulties took additional effort and time.  Finally, we were ready.

Charles arrived at midnight on June 14 at Providence, a 25-minute drive from our boat.  We were delighted to have him visit us again in Rhode Island.  Charles is a long-time friend, a retired very successful home builder and an avid, experienced boater and competitive fisherman.   On The Bottom Line, he graciously assumes the role of crew member.  We enjoy having his help and expertise as well as his delightful company.

After a lengthy breakfast on the aft deck, we went to Newport and visited the International Yacht Restoration School (IYRS), the premier marine trades and technology training facility in the United States.  Although students were gone, we were warmly greeted by personnel in the shop and the library and given a great tour of the facilities,

We later toured Rough Point, the beautiful Doris Duke estate,  Built by a Vanderbilt heir in the early 1900’s, it was later purchased by Doris’s father, the head of the American Tobacco Company.  She spent most of her childhood here and later returned as an adult to renovate the home and install priceless art and antiques. Lunch/dinner was at Matunuck Oyster Bar.  Always crowded and always excellent. David and Charles are determined to eat every oyster in Rhode Island!

At 5:15 Friday morning, we left the dock at Wickford and began our journey to Boston.  The day was sunny with light wind—a great day for cruising.  Charles had never been through the Cape Cod Canal and was excited to see this famous passage from Buzzard Bay to the Atlantic Ocean.  Navigating Boston Harbor can be challenging even on a clear day, but we made it to Boston Waterboat Marina without incident. 

Located in the heart of the waterfront area and only blocks from the North End and numerous restaurants and attractions, the marina is small, family owned and a perfect location to see Boston. Dinner was at the Chart House which was adjacent to the marina.  Jerry and Jill, our beloved friends in Boston, joined us and we had delicious seafood dinners.  Our server was a pretty, amiable young lady who completely charmed the guys.  Jill and I teased them about flirting with her, but they showed no shame!

 they showed no shame.+

 

                                                            2023

 

May 18-May 25          North Kingstown, Rhode Island

Stephanie graciously agreed to take us to the airport to make our   5:15 AM flight to Rhode Island.  We arrived shortly before 4:00 AM, waited for the ticket counters to open, and then waited 30 minutes for them to correct a computer problem.  The agent was concerned and took us to the front of the line in Security.  At that time, we were notified our flight was leaving from a different TERMINAL.  Fortunately, we caught the only operating cart in our area who took us through the labyrinth passages from Terminal A to Terminal C.  We arrived at the gate at 5:05 AM just as the doors were closing.  The remainder of the trip was great.  Our luggage arrived as scheduled and Rupe, our good helper from Wickford, met us.

The Bottom Line was clean inside and out.  A lovely floral arrangement was on the galley table and a special ladder had been installed for easier access.  Wes, the marina owner, surprised us with a delivery of coffee and breakfast the following morning.  It was great to be back!

David engaged Rube to do various projects on the boat and dinghy and happily supervised as he cleaned, varnished, and painted.  Soon all were ready for our Memorial Day weekend.  

A long parade of decorated boats passed us in the harbor only hours before our friends, Jerry and Jill arrived from Boston.  Always a delight, we enjoyed great conversation before leaving for East Greenwich and the Providence Oyster Bar.  With multiple choices of area oysters, David and Jerry ordered a dozen each!  We were very pleased to see that Jerry had recuperated well from his broken hip and looked great.

John and Maria, fellow boaters on the North Star, a beautiful 65’ Hatteras docked near us, came briefly to greet us before their family arrived.  We plan to see more of them soon.   To our delight, Maria came after Memorial Day with her third-grade students.  They were having a final day of school outing to the neighboring beach and then ice cream treats on the North Star.

We spent a delightful evening with another boating couple who were temporarily docked near us.  They had sold their 55’Onshore boat and bought a much smaller one in preparation for making the Great Loop.  They were experienced boaters but were apprehensive about the many locks they would encounter on the Erie Canal and Oswego Canal.  To my surprise, Wes had given them copies of my articles in Ensign Magazine which detailed our journey through those waterways.

The weather has mostly been beautiful with sunny, cool days.  We are enjoying the abundance of fresh seafood and trying some new recipes.  My scallop seviche was a great hit!  Looking forward to a visit soon from Charles Martin, our Houston friend.