Day 3 - Beverly MA - Cape May NJ
Magic Friday
Phil, Di and Annelise
Sun 16 Sep 2018 17:03
Up before first light, readying to leave on the last leg to Cape May NJ. A cold yellow dawn develops over Block Island as we haul anchor and leave the Great Salt Pond. The crew with brewed coffee in hand, share the helm! Motoring past the southerly tip of Block Island the morning mist sweeps down from the cliffs as if water were cascading over the edge.
As the day brightens a chance to set the sails - main and self-tacking job, keeping close on the wind (such as it was), engine running as well. Trawlers head for home in the late morning. Then the mist bset in - fortunately only patches and clears in time to make a sextant noon day sighting. Well, a little after the zenith as we missed the actual local meridian by 1/2hr-1hr, better luck tomorrow!
As the afternoon wore on, watches changed, the wind waxed and waned, never enough to power the sails and mostly a headwind anyway. Water-maker powered up again for a full supply of fresh water.
The sun drops and nights begins to creep over the horizon, sundowners and snacks (mozzarella and tomatoes, olive oil and pepper!) watching the western sky paint the clouds orange and red.
A half moon light casts a deep shadow across the water as it follows the sun's arc across the sky on its westward journey beneath the horizon. Then the planets and distant stars have their turn at lighting the way for the rest of the dark night - the Plough (Big Dipper), Orion's Belt (Three Sisters) and the cloud like dust of the Milky Way parades across the black abyss of space.
Phil. Mark and Tom
