Saturn Sun.
The otherworldly sunrise over Tarpaulin Cove speaks to me. Hey Saturn Sun, message received. It’s time to leave this beautiful place. But to where? I think I’ll mull it over with a cup of coffee. There is, after all, plenty of time; the XO still sleeps. For at least another hour it’s just me and my buddies: the rising sun, the gentle breeze, and Folgers percolator blend. It’s another gorgeous July morning: not too hot, not too humid, just about right.
I love the still morning waters. peaceful. Spiritual. Inspirational. Jeez I feel like writing a song or something!
Okay, so where to next? If I had an internet connection, I’d consult Active Captain, the internet cruising guide, but there’s no wifi here on remote Naushon Island, and by choice, I am not quite ready to enter into the modern world of hot spots, smart phones and such. So I spread my charts on the table, and open my cruising guides, non cyber style.
Susan emerges from the galley holding her extra-large coffee mug, kisses the top of my head.
“Where we going?” she asks, eyeing the nav charts open on the table.
“I think it’s time we try our new folding bikes,” I announce and stab my index finger on Martha’s Vineyard. She nods approvingly. Who the heck doesn’t like Martha’s Vineyard? Let me re-phrase that. Who the heck on this boat doesn’t like Martha’s Vineyard?
Sunny side up.
After breakfast we haul anchor and head across the Vineyard Sound. I figure by the time we reach West Chop, I’ll have a destination port.
First, I call Edgartown Harbor, and darn it, all their moorings are reserved. I don’t like anchoring outside that harbor; it’s too exposed. Susan dislikes Oak bluffs; it’s way too loud.
“Let’s go to Vineyard Haven,” I suggest. “If their mooring field is full, we can always drop a hook in the Lagoon pond, or outside the breakwater.” Everything is good. Why wouldn’t it be? We’re on vacation! Our conversation is lively as we cruise on, anticipating the change of scenery.
Ferry outside of Vineyard Haven.
With our destination in sight, I hail the Harbormaster on channel 9. “I got space. C’mon in,” he says. “At the other end of the breakwater, near the beach, take the mooring that looks like a white spar. Can’t miss it.”
Breakwater.
After hooking Ginger Lee up and settling in, we load our new folding bikes into our dinghy and head out to the public dock near the Harbormasters office.
The new folding bikes.
Bikes unfolded.
The bikes are great! Why didn’t we do this years ago? We rode the whole Martha’s Vineyard bike path. About 15 miles!
Riding through Oak Bluffs.
Ice cream along the way.