14 Sep 16

The flood starts early this part of the lunar cycle, so we got up early and under way by 07:05 (the anchor came up clean as a whistle; a zero-bucket clean-up). The wind was up to W15, and at 08:55 we were finally able to bear away enough to shut down the engine and get the sails up; full jib and double-reefed main. We had a good sail all the way into well into the Connecticut River, furling only to go through the Old Lyme Draw bridge, which we passed at 10:55. We motored on up the river and were at the Brewer Dauntless Essex Marina fuel dock by 11:30, where we fueled up and filled the forward water tank. We were tied to the mooring ball by 12:10 and immediately un-shipped “Swallow” to run ashore for lunch in town. We enjoyed an excellent lunch at The Black Seal, wandered around the quaint New England village of Essex, did a bit of shopping, checked out the museum and were back on the boat for happy hour. We ran back in for showers, almost (but not quite) ahead of a brief rain shower, and then walked back into town for dinner (and an early celebration of my birthday tomorrow) at the Griswold Inn, in continuous operation since 1765. It is beautiful inside with a fantastic collection of paintings, posters and photos of old steam ships and a few temperance posters as well, which is a bit strange for a bar/restaurant. The decor and ambience were excellent, but the food was, unfortunately, merely average, but a good time was had by all.

41-20.977’N, 072-22.989’W