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.+