Photography tells the story once again. As before, this post will have (somewhat) fewer words and more pictures, with captions enough to tell the tale. There are announcements and updates, so please read through!
Newport is one of the more boater-friendly towns we’ve visited - there are numerous dinghy docks, places to drop trash and recyclables, free public transportation, and installations such as this, a dock in the harbor specifically for cruising yachts to fill their water tanks at no charge.
JO BETH and crew are currently in Newport Harbor, Newport, Rhode Island. We’re preparing to sail back to the west, and then south, to the Chesapeake Bay. While there, we’re planning to attend the Annapolis Boat Show, catch up with friends in Baltimore, Annapolis, Deltaville, Yorktown, Solomons, and in a few other spots. We also have an extensive list of maintenance projects and other jobs to take care of aboard JO BETH. It’s going to be a busy fall!
Originally the Customs House, and later the Town Armory, the Newport Maritime Center offers sailors a multitude of services including showers, toilets, laundry, WiFi, all in a clean and well maintained public facility; the Newport Sailing Museum occupies the upper floor
And now, the news…
We have (FINALLY!) launched our YouTube Channel! Please click on the YouTube icon on the lower left portion of the page to go to our channel, and please subscribe and click the notifications bell. It costs nothing, and these actions will help push our channel into the YouTube universe. Our blog posts will become less frequent and more oriented towards my photography.
Newport is known for it’s mansions from the American Gilded Age, owned by industrialists such as the Vanderbilt and Berwind families - they were often referred to as ‘cottages’ or ‘summer houses;’ this is The Breakers, built and owned by the Vanderbilt family and below is The Elms, built and owned by the Berwind family - many thanks to my childhood friend Jim, who now lives in Rhode Island, for showing us around
I have received many compliments on my photographs which accompany the blog posts and updates on our Instagram and Facebook pages. I am grateful and appreciative of the kind words. I’m excited to announce that selected photographs will soon be available for purchase, either as prints or as digital files. Framed prints will look amazing on your walls or desk, and will serve as a reminder to always aim for your goals! Digital files will make gorgeous screen savers and wallpapers for your laptop and tablet. Please reach out to us via the Contact page for information regarding image sizes and pricing. You can find the photographs available (images coming very soon) for purchase by clicking here.
Unfortunately, we weren’t able to see the interior of The Elms; we were able to tour the interior of The Breakers - this is the library; below is the main kitchen
Last, I am happy to announce the launch of my Consulting for Cruisers Service. Hardly a day goes by when we’re in port, that one or more individuals or couples doesn’t stop us to talk about JO BETH and the live aboard/cruising lifestyle. Sometimes, these are people just starting out on their boats, but more often than not, they’re folks who are dreaming of seeing the world by boat just as we used to do. If this is you, then let us share our combined years of sailing and live-aboard experience, and my knowledge and expertise from a successful career as marine surveyor to help make your dream a reality. We will offer input on finding and purchasing your yacht, what to look for in a marine surveyor, what to expect from the dollars and cents perspective, and so on. We’re confident you’ll find this very affordable service to be invaluable in reaching your cruising dreams. Please get in touch via the Contact page for information regarding services and pricing.
Enjoy the post!
Newport lawn
New England in general, and Newport in particular, are havens for some of the most impressive and beautiful yachts in the world; starting with this image of SOPHIE, here are just a few
WILD HORSES
SUMATRA
ABLE
FREEDOM
And of course, JO BETH
Castle Rock Lighthouse, at the entrance to Newport Harbor
Passing under the Pell Bridge over Narraganset Bay en-route to Bristol, RI
While in Bristol, RI, we visited the amazing Herreshoff Museum; a premiere museum of American wooden boat building of not just yachts, but commercial and military vessels; these photographs (above and below) are from the ‘Hall of Boats’ wing of the museum
The only two Cabo Rico 56 yachts in the world - both in Bristol Harbor - QUETZAL is on the right; TRINITY GRACE is on the left
We really enjoyed our time on tiny Cuttyhunk Island, the eastern most of Massachusetts’s Elizabeth Islands, separating the Atlantic Ocean from Buzzards Bay; only 10 or so residents live on the island through the full year; there are no cars, no banks or ATM’s and very spotty cell service
Cuttyhunk Harbor
The school kids on Cuttyhunk (high school and college) operate the Raw Bar boat in the harbor every afternoon; fresh local oysters, clams, shrimp, and chowder are available and delicious…see below
The tiny grocery store on Cuttyhunk
Cuttyhunk ‘billboard,’ at the only 4-way intersection on the island
Cuttyhunk only has two paved roads, covering a total of 1.5 miles; the remainder of roads are like this
Island view of Cuttyhunk Harbor
The Atlantic Ocean from Cuttyhunk Island; the distant gray line on the horizon is the island of Martha’s Vineyard
New Beford Harbor in Massachusetts boasts the largest commercial scalloping fleet in the world
New Bedford art
TNew Bedford also hosts the New Bedford Whaling Musuem, which is absolutely spectacular - a highly recommended spot to visit
New Bedford Whaling Museum, New Bedford, MA
New Bedford Whaling Museum, New Bedford, MA
This beautiful, old building is The New Bedford, Massachusetts High School…still in use today
The weather this season has been less than ideal, but it has made for some spectacular sights
The Butfler Flats Lighthouse, no longer in use, marks the shallow and dangerous Butler Flats at the entrance to New Beford Harbor; modern lighted buoys with automated fog horns now have the watch
We had heard good things about Hadley Harbor, at the eastern end of the Elizabeth Islands in Massachusetts, for years, and we were very happy we made the effort to get there and in through the very challenging and rocky entrance channel…it is beautiful…wild horses roam Naushon Island, the largest of the Elizabeth Islands and owned by the Forbes family
Hadley Harbor
Friends told us about a small cove within Hadley Harbor where the low tide dried out a sand spit…gorgeous…and a great place to clean the summer growth from Scoots’ bottom
We had a lovely return sail to Newport, RI from Hadley Harbor; Cuttyhunk Island is just visible on the horizon in the center of the frame
In Newport Harbor, we wait for good weather to begin sailing for the Chesapeake Bay, the northern end of which is some 300 nautical miles distant