Ahhhhh!  Now this is what it is all about!  We are cruising along in 15 to 20 knots of breeze, right on our starboard quarter, maintaining a steady 9 knots straight toward our destination.  This boat sure does love to sail! 

We took off just before 9am in light fog.  The dense fog that we watched roll in just after sundown last night started lifting around 8am.  Our visibility was up to 3 miles by the time we took off so we were feeing very comfortable about our decision to leave.  The forecast warned about morning fog, but also promised 15 to 20 knots of breeze.  You can't always believe the forecast, as you well know, but I'm happy to report that they were right on for today. 

Our afternoon in Newport was lovely.  After we found the public dinghy dock, we had a quick deli lunch and then walked along the main drag to the local ship's store, JT Chandlery. We picked up some charts for Boston, and a waterproof bag.  Naturally, we had forgotten our shopping list on the boat.   We decided not to go to West Marine after all.  The grocery store was within walking distance, so we strolled up the main drag, stopped for an ice cream as we had promised the kids, and then hit the Stop N Go.  We had dinner on board - pesto, asparagus and salad.    I tired out my new mini food processor but it doesn't chop things very fine.  I'll have to crush the garlic next time I make pesto.  Everyone was hungry after our walk, though, and there were no complaints!

While shopping at JT's, we met a nice couple from Falmouth.  Our kids wound up playing with their daughter on the floor of the store, using the finger puppets that were displayed in a basket by the register.  We got to talking with them and the owner, who both warned us about the current that rips through the pass at Woods Hole.  We had heard this warning from several other people and read about it in our cruising guide as well.  Basically, you have to time your passage so that you are traversing at slack tide, neither being pushed along at 5 knots or fighting against the 5 knot current.  There is a reef in the middle of the passage that claims a good number of boats every year.  The owner pulled out the current Soundings magazine which showed a powerboat capsized in the channel.  Great! Just what we need, a little doom and gloom to send us on our way!

I had already plotted our course from Newport to Falmouth.  I was not 100% sure where this dreaded channel was, so the husband pulled out a chart book and showed me where the passage talking about.  It is a narrow cut that goes through the Elizabeth Islands between Buzzards Bay and the Vinyard Sound.  Luckily, I had plotted our course to round the point at Cuttyhunk and travel up Vinyard Sound, rather than through Buzzards Bay.  Our destination in Falmouth is off this side of the peninsula anyway.  Why tempt fate?  We relaxed once we realized we had already chosen the best route.

We are practicing with the radar again.  The problem is "sea clutter."  In the first radar circle immediately surrounding the boat, the radar tends to show multiple little targets that are really just waves.  It is difficult to distinguish between real objects and this clutter.  There are different settings that help tune out the extra targets, so we are playing with that to get a better idea of how we should operate as a default.

The kids are both sleeping.  They had a little trouble with seasickness when we took off this morning so I gave them both half a Bonine motion sickness pill.  It cured their tummy aches and put them right out!  We should arrive at the marina in Falmouth around 3pm.  We'll get started washing the sheets and towels and cleaning the boat so we will be ready for our guests tomorrow.  We are a little nervous about their comfort on the boat. Lisa is about 4 months pregnant with their fourth child, and tends to get seasick.  I give her a lot of credit for signing up for a week on the boat with us.  I know Zia will accommodate them in style, though.  They are arriving on Saturday evening.  We'll write an update once we have all settled in.

Happy Friday to all you working stiffs!

Christy, Joe, Cassie, and Juliana

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