Mystery schooner

We spent the past few days moving the boat. After a pleasant night at Fishers Island we headed to The Thimbles, a group of small private islands on the Connecticut shore. Ran with the tide down Long Island Sound and really moved along. Saw 9 knots at one point. 

Because there happened to be an empty bourbon bottle aboard, Moss drafted and launched a message in a bottle. We seem to get an astonishing 10% return rate on our messages. Better than I do with texts. Ouch.

Got to The Thimbles early in the afternoon so we had time to relax, do a load of laundry (and hang it to dry), and go for a swim. The current rushing past Cupcake was stronger than Moss could swim. Looked away for a minute and the next thing we knew, she was swept out of sight and washed up on the Long Island shore. (Just kidding, all the grandmothers reading this can relax. We keep a very close eye on our smallest crew member.)

We caught the tide for another run further down Long Island Sound this morning. Saw a steady 7+ knots. In the rain, also all morning. It’s not all cocktails and sunsets yet. In fact, it has been too few of each, despite that empty bottle. The past few days have been pretty wet ones, but the crew is cheerful. Tomorrow everyone gets shore leave in the big city.

For a while, Moss and I drove the boat together. She is good company. Then she discovered a new perch on the companionway hatch under the dodger. Driest spot in the cockpit this morning. I managed a nap below underway until a fly landed on my face. Yuck. I'm getting good with the flyswatter and killed 25 of the biting devils today.

Now we are securely anchored in the lee of Sheffield Island, Connecticut. The wind is blocked, but there’s a little swell bending around the point, so Cupcake is letting us know we are on the ocean.

Ellen and Moss just finished stage two of preparing a Rustic Italian bread. I'm informed this is the first bread Ellen has baked that employs a sponge. It's not that kind of sponge, it is some kind of bread-lingo-sponge. Smells great so far.

Special recognition to anyone who can identify the sleek schooner that just pulled in and dropped anchor. You have all heard of her. If you know her name and her story, please post a comment.

Cruising tip of the day: buy, read, and learn your Eldridge Tide and Pilot Book. It has a wealth of information you need to know about tides and currents if you intend on sailing the east coast of the US.