July 5-July 12                      North Kingstown, Rhode Island

Monday was sunny and the boats emerged from everywhere.  We had a great view as they cruised through the channel to the bay.  Everyone was celebrating the holiday and the lovely weather!  Our neighbors on the adjacent Hatteras, John and Maria joined us for Happy Hour.  They live in Connecticut in a home with five fireplaces built in 1812.  John owns a molding business and a tooling business.  Maria is the administrator of a small private school with primarily international students.  They come to the boat on weekends and are busy repairing and redecorating.  They have three handsome sons with lovely families who are often present on their boat.

Our hallway, covered in wallpaper after we bought the boat 11 years ago,  had been sorely mistreated by workmen who left black smudges and dark stains. After considerable internet research, we determined we could paint over the wallpaper (which was not torn).  Rupe, an excellent painter, applied two coats of Behr Scuff Resistant enamel which is guaranteed to be impervious to stains.  The results were amazing and the hallway is once again pristine.

Tropical storm Elsa brought two more days of rain as it advanced along the East Coast.  On Thursday, we were told to expect more rain and considerable wind.  We had both for several hours and then the storm continued northward.  Although we have been subjected to tropical storms or hurricanes each year since owning the boat, we NEVER learned to properly prepare.  Last year, we lost a large cushion from the bow and this year we lost our dock cart which apparently blew into the water and disappeared.  Both were expensive and inconvenient mistakes.  We are definitely slow learners!

The weekend was busy.  Maria and I attended the Wickford Arts Festival, which was similar in every way to the Main Street Arts Festival in Fort Worth.  Many talented artists presented a variety of paintings, sculptures, photographs, etc.  Maria and I both bought treasures to bring back to the boat.

Saturday, we went to Providence to the Rhode Island School of Design Museum, part of Brown University.  Housed in an amazing combination of contemporary and traditional buildings, the museum’s collection is large, varied, impressive and definitely of the finest quality.  With installations of Egyptian artifacts, furniture, paintings, glassware, silverware, porcelains, textiles and much more, the museum easily kept me fascinated for almost three hours.(David sees more quicker than I do and checks information on his phone).  The RISD has benefited considerably from generous gifts of art from notable patrons such as the Rockefeller family.

The FIRST First Baptist Church in America, established in 1638 by RogerWilliams, is adjacent to the museum.  High on a hill, it is housed in a magnificent four story cream structure with Doric columns and Paladin windows and has obviously benefited from considerable care through the centuries.

Dinner was at a recommended Italian restaurant, Capricio’s, near the museum. Located in the basement of a century old building, it has brick walls that rest upon huge boulders of granite.  Once used for storage, it is now an elegant restaurant with exceptional cuisine.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

June 21-July4               North Kingstown, Rhode Island

The weather alternated between very pleasant, hot and humid or rainy.  We enjoyed the air-conditioning and remained onboard.  David was committed to finding and repairing the annoying leak from the bridge to the aft deck which left an ugly brown stain on the ceiling. His latest effort, an elaborate series of tubes was only partially successful. 

After considerable thought, he determined there was no simple solution.  He would saw out part of the bridge wall, remove the decayed wood forming the frame, clean the area and then replace the wall opening.  A teak border would conceal the cut and look original to the boat.  With planning only slightly less than that needed for a D-Day invasion of Europe, the project was executed with the help of Rube, the brawn to David’s brain.  For several days, the aft deck was covered in debris, tools, etc. as he and Rube exhibited skill but not neatness.  A torrential rain storm was a great test for the repair.  Success!!  No leaks and no stains.

Amazon is a constant temptation. We can think it, find it, order it and receive it without the hassle of going to stores and transporting it to the boat.  All it takes is money!  Our latest acquisition is a 4” foam topper for our king-sized mattress which had lost much of its firmness.  Arriving in a box which easily fit through our narrow doors and hallway, the huge topper expanded to provide additional comfort and an imposing appearance.

    

On Saturday, June 26, I finally admitted my shortness of breath and persistent swelling required medical attention.  We went to Kent County Hospital in Warwick (about ten miles from the marina) and I stayed there until Monday evening.  Once again, I was diagnosed with congestive heart problems.  After a plethora of tests and visits from a team of cardiologists, my symptoms subsided and I was released with diet instructions and medication changes.  Although the hospital was far from plush, the care was exceptional and the doctors were caring and thorough.  I doubt the Mayo Clinic would have been better.

Beautiful flowers and numerous calls from my family, personal physician in Fort Worth and concern and care from David made my return to the boat a truly special event.  Hopefully, there will be no recurrence of any medical issues. 

                             

Persistent rain disrupted plans for the holiday weekend.  Our planned trip to the museum at the Rhode Island School of Design in Providence was re-scheduled.  My new patriotic red, white and blue bunting to decorate the stern and bow of the boat was finally hung on the Fourth of July after we saw the dark clouds disappear.  The day gradually became more pleasant and we enjoyed another beautiful sunset before going up to the bridge to witness fireworks from the beach nearby.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

June 14-June 20           North Kingstown, Rhode Island

Boston friends, Jill and Jerry, who share with us great memories of boating at Southwest Harbor, Maine, battled heavy traffic to come for a visit and early dinner.  We seldom see them but stay in touch throughout the year and easily resume conversation when we are together.  They are the best of friends.

After a snack on the boat and time for Jill to give Pretzel much tender love and attention, we left for East Warwick and Chielo’s Waterfront Restaurant.  The place was enormous with a huge lawn filled with tables overlooking the massive marina.  As the weather was exceptionally pleasant, it was packed with a happy crowd experiencing post-pandemic euphoria.

Cool, sunny weather continued throughout the week and we felt guilty (only a little!) reading the reports of extreme heat in Texas and the western states.  Office and boat projects occupied several days but we could bear it no longer and planned a driving trip across the bay to several historical scenic communities.  Pretzel, wearing a bark collar, would go with us.  Her manners have greatly improved and she is miserable being away from us.

Bristol, Rhode Island has a deep harbor and was once a major shipbuilding center.  It obviously had considerable wealth because interspersed with colonial structures are some magnificent mansions built by nineteenth century entrepreneurs.  The population of Bristol is small but they have preserved blocks and blocks of beautiful homes and businesses in charming, flower-bedecked buildings.

Quito’s (it’s Portuguese, not Mexican) is a local favorite seafood restaurant located on the bay next to a lovely little park.  We were seated on the patio with a great view.  Pretzel was admitted without difficulty and remained at David’s feet throughout lunch.  The menu was the best of any seafood restaurant we have experienced in this area and our food was excellent.  We hope to return with Jill and Jerry.

                                        

Warren is adjacent to Bristol and displays much of the same charm and historical significance.  Large farms are present throughout the area and roadside markets are frequent with bins laden with locally-grown produce.

Father’s Day was incredibly beautiful with 80-degree weather and little wind. I spent most of the afternoon on the aft deck watching a continuous parade of boats returning to the marinas or the town dock at Wickford.  Numerous restaurants attract boaters who enjoy visiting on their boats.  David was pleased to receive many calls and messages acknowledging his status as familial patriarch!

    

 

 

 June 2-June 13                North Kingstown, Rhode Islaned

This year we are docked second from the end facing the bay.  This was our choice as we have a great view of the boating scene and the lovely homes on the opposite shore.  Next to us and adjacent to the bay is a 65’ Hatteras motoryacht which sold two years ago, moved to Portland, Maine and has now sold again and returned to Wickford Shipyard.  The new owners are friendly and interesting folks who live about an hour away in Connecticut. 

On the starboard side of our slip is a space periodically leased by Jim Armante, whom we met last year.  Jim has a 75’ tug-like boat which is used to bring large ships into port.  Although it is a working boat, it is always clean and polished to look almost new.  Jim is a delightful fellow and we look forward to visiting more with him this year.

David quickly recovered his enthusiasm for grocery shopping and returned almost daily to the wonderful market here in Wickford.  We are well stocked and eating on the boat is preferable most of the time to eating out.  Fresh seafood is readily available and easy to prepare.

We will probably remain at Wickford for several more weeks.  We are content to finish projects (David) and read and do needlepoint (Wanda).  A long overdue reading choice was “The Age of Innocence” by Edith Wharton.  This book is often mentioned by other authors who find her descriptions of life and customs of the New York City wealthy social set to be fascinating. 

I agreed and thoroughly enjoyed the book.  Needlepoint is progressing.  I finally finished a pillow with a difficult design and have happily begun another simpler project.

Rhode Island is a botanical treat with the magnificent rhododendrons and colorful lilies.  We made several drives to see the lovely yards filled with flowering shrubs and tall beech trees with their dark purple foliage.  Stone walls border the fields and yards adding a special charm to the scene.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

May 21-June 1              North Kingstown, Rhode Island

Plans to return to the boat on May 19 were twice changed by a proposed court date for one of David’s clients.  After canceling, rescheduling and canceling again, we learned the case will not be heard until August (if then??) and definite reservations were finally made to depart DFW on May 21 for Providence, Rhode Island.

We were met at the airport in Rhode Island by the daughter of our good friend and helper, Rupe Bodden, who was enroute home from Honduras where he had purchased a boat for fishing charters.  His lovely daughter was an excellent driver and insisted on helping us load our luggage onto the boat.

All was not good!  The refrigerator was warm again (although the freezer worked well), the icemaker on the aft deck did not work, a bad water leak in the mid-stateroom on the port side of the boat had dampened the bedding of one of the twin beds.  The room was in a shambles as the workmen had not determined the cause of the problem.  Rube’s wife had graciously come and cleaned the interior and we were spared months of dust. 

The heads and the TV worked well so we had the essentials for temporary living on the boat!  On Monday, the water leak was repaired and Scott arrived to repair again the refrigerator which persists in repeatedly freezing the mechanism and stopping the cooling process.  Although this is not “a rocket science” problem, no one has been capable of solving it.  A new refrigerator is not an option as installation would necessitate major dismantling of the entrance to the galley.

David and I soon realized we were both becoming ill with constant coughing and extreme fatigue.  No fever or pain but totally miserable.  On Wednesday, we went to the doctor and learned he had acute bronchitis and I had pneumonia.

Medication was prescribed but we were not in good shape when Blake, Amanda and Winn arrived on Thursday before Memorial Day. Their trip was primarily to attend a shower event for long-time Fort Worth friend, Taylor Van Antwerp who now lives in Connecticut.  They quickly adapted to the situation and cleaned, shopped, cooked and cared for us.  We tried to placate them with fresh oysters, an assortment of delicious seafood and the fantastic ice cream from the renowned shop nearby

The weather was cold and wet for the duration of their visit.  After they Ubered to Boston on Monday to return home, the skies cleared and we enjoyed sunshine.  Unfortunately, they had experienced a difficult visit with sick grandparents and nasty weather but they endured all with their customary graciousness and generosity.  They are always the perfect guests.

Following another round of medication, we began to feel better and the coughing ceased.  David hired Fen Wang, a charming little Chinese woman, to clean the interior of the boat.  Rube returned in time to clean the exterior and the ice maker was eventually repaired.  Now we are ready to enjoy the summer!

 

 

October 6-12                 Rhode Island and New Hampshire

 

Shannon was delighted to keep Pretzel again.  They had bonded well during our absence last year when we went to Europe.  David reluctantly handed over Pretzel with all sorts of instructions for her care.  He was already having separation anxiety.

Jerry had made all the plans and reservations for our trip.  He was also the chauffer and guide.  He expertly drove his new Alfa-Romeo from our meeting point near Boston through the small, historic Massachusetts towns to the White Mountains region of New Hampshire.

Our first sight of our hotel below Mount Washington and the surrounding mountain range was even more impressive than the photographs.  Opened in 1902 and presently owned by Omni Hotels, it has regained much of its past grandeur by extensive renovations which carefully maintained traditional features and many original structures.  Elaborate chandeliers and Tiffany designed glass windows and doors complimented the décor.  Our room was enormous and we enjoyed the great view of the mountains and foliage from our large windows.

One day was spent driving the famous Kancamagus Highway, a scenic route through much of the skiing and hiking areas.  The next day, we attempted to drive to the summit of Mount Washington but were allowed to ascend only part way due to ice on the road.  Despite the sunny, pleasant weather below, the peaks were covered in light snow.  The views were awesome and the foliage was spectacular throughout the area with wide expanses of reds, golds and oranges.

In North Conway, we stopped at The Christmas Loft, a large and very impressive Christmas store.  To my delight, I found a special nativity that will be adored by our great-grandchildren.  Now my challenge is to find room to display another one!

We enjoyed a memorable dinner at The Notchland Inn, a wonderful example of the arts and crafts architecture style, designed by Gustav Stickley, one of the founders of that movement.  Remotely located, the lovely1901 structure is surrounded by trees and gardens.  The interior is authentic with furniture, paneling, fireplaces and accessories of the period.  There are no television sets and guests are encouraged to play card or table games.  Dinner was a set menu and very good.  Mia, a Burmese Mountain dog, is allowed to come into the dining room and receive the adulation and petting of the guests.  Jerry and Jill were eager to see her again and had brought treats!

On Saturday, we enjoyed a delightful and scenic drive past numerous small farms with impressive large red barns in the Connecticut River Valley to Hanover, the home of Dartmouth College.  Despite the virus, students were everywhere enjoying the exceptionally warm and beautiful day.  With the beautiful fall colors filling the many surrounding trees, the red-bricked campus was quintessential New England.  Dinner and lodging were at the historic (but recently renovated) Hanover Inn where we could enjoy views of the campus green and activities.  Our journey back to Rhode Island was brightened by the sudden appearance during our absence of beautiful colors in the trees. 

Packing has begun and the boat is being readied for our departure tomorrow for Fort Worth.  It is always a bittersweet time but we are optimistically hoping we will return next May when the virus pandemic has been eliminated and normal nautical life and experiences can be resumed.  Once again, we had a delightful summer on The Bottom Line.

 

 

 

 

 

September 14-October 4                            North Kingstown, Rhode Island

Scott, the local refrigerator/A/C repairman extraordinaire, came again to diagnose and repair our temperamental refrigerator.  Replacing the full-size fifteen-year-old unit with a newer model is not an option.  It was installed by previous owners during an extensive remodel of the galley and pilot area.  To remove the refrigerator would require considerable demolition.  We will do whatever it takes to keep this one operating even though repair bills may exceed the cost of a replacement.  Once again, a part was ordered and everything worked as it should.

Consulting the weather charts, we finally found several favorable days for cruising with winds less than 12 knots.  Reservations were made at Sandwich Marina and Boston Waterboat Marina.  Jerry and Jill, our Boston friends would be free and we were eager to spend time with them.

Several days before departure, we took the boat to the nearby gas dock and filled the tanks.  I charted our course on the GPS and David ran through the checklist to be sure all was ready.  We were excited to finally be leaving Wickford Shipyard.

At 8:00 AM, Rupe came to take in the ladder and the lines and we made a smooth exit from our slip.  Before reaching the breakwater barrier into the bay, we experienced vibrations which steadily increased.  It was obvious there was a prop problem.  We had no previous indications and were very surprised by this occurrence.  With regret, we returned to Wickford Shipyard.

A diver was summoned and his quick inspection revealed the props and shafts were impacted by barnacles!  After several hours of cleaning, these pesky crustaceans were removed.  Too late to leave for our trip, we called to change reservations.

 Unfortunately, David pulled a shoulder muscle as he attempted to pull in a kinked power cord.  The pain was excruciating.  A visit to a local ER clinic showed he had tendonitis and only rest, heat or cold and pain medication would take care of the problem.  It was definitely not our day.  The shoulder continued to cause considerable discomfort and we knew David was in no condition to soon make the journey to Boston.

The boat was now located in a slip further into the channel.  Our view was across to the town of Wickford, the lovely marina leading into the town and the beautiful homes on the shore.  It was a lively area with people coming to stay on their boats and socializing with neighbors.  

Several days of high wind transpired before we finally had a sunny calm morning to make a brief cruise to test the props.  We enlisted the help of Rupe to join us and handle all the electrical cords and lines.  David expertly piloted the boat into Narragansett Bay and we cruised past familiar sights down to Newport and Point Judith before reversing and returning to port.  There was no vibration and all systems worked well. 

Our delayed plans to go to Boston were finally cancelled (despite losing reservation guarantees).  David’s shoulder was slowly improving but we decided it would be risky to attempt such a long journey.  To our delight, Jerry and Jill proposed a trip to the White Mountains.  We would spend four nights at the fabulous Omni White Mountain Resort and make extensive driving trips in the area to enjoy the fall foliage.