Daily Archives: 1 26 June 14

Thursday, 26 June

Sheets of gray late in the day layered over New Harbor.

Shrouds shriek and Steadfast dances around the mooring ball. Her bow swings from so’west to nor’east and, at the same time, what had been a bright evening sky darkenes and dark droplets dot the dodger.

The day dawned in dense fog. Block I. was under bright sun by noon. But now mates, at just 1700, it’s shaping up to be a dark ‘n stormy night! Arrrrrrrrrrrgh.

Neighbors remained but the shores of New Harbor disappeared overnight.

With the horn at North Light still baying at 1100, the decision was made: this would not be the day to cross to Narragansett Bay, a decision affirmed later as radar (ain’t the Accuweather app great?!) showed all of Little Rhody’s 2,400 square miles covered with green and yellow.

Up Beach Road, a clam shell drive curves to the clouds.

But here on Block, the change in plans meant time for a brisk walk up the hill, just for a stretch of the legs. And that, of course, meant more stunning views, no matter where one looked, even under the boughs of a peach tree.

A deer dawdles in the shade under the spreading arms of a fruit tree.

The new electric outboard has proved to be a boon in port.

Meantime, the new Torqeedo electric outboard continues to change life aboard. The oars have yet to touch the water this trip while Torq smoothly zips the dink and two (or one, as the case may be) crew back and forth ‘tween boat and shore regardless of wind, wake or current. And when the sun’s out, the boat’s solar panel charges up the Torq battery in an hour or so. Good stuff.

But then, this is Blah Ki-lan, Ah-Rye. Waddya ‘spect?

Steadfast out.

Wednesday, 25 June

How does one adequately describe Block Island, RI? Yes, it’s different. Certainly it is “special.” The Nature Conservancy has listed Block as one of “The Last Great Places” in the Western Hemisphere, so yes, it is special.

To experience that uniqueness to its fullest—the hills, harbors and homes, ponds and people, Bluffs, beaches, blooms and beautiful views—the decision was made to forego scooters and go pedal-power.

Here’s some of what was seen along the way, from New Harbor to Old Harbor, North Light to South Light and as much in between as these old knees could manage.  Enjoy!

At the entrance to Great Salt Pond, Coast Guard Station Block Island is now listed as “inactive.”

It’s too early in the season, meaning too many empty moorings and slips, for Aldo to make his morning rounds.

Nothing dries the laundry quicker than a fresh ocean breeze.

There’s still plenty of room to build on Block but code restrictions have limited growth.

From the top of Mohegan Bluffs, the view of the Atlantic is stunning.

Though surrounded by salt water, there are dozens of fresh water ponds all around the island.

Homes shrouded in morning mist look out over a pond on the north end of the island.

Part of the fleet passes the breakwater at Old Harbor during the round-the-island event that is part of BI Race Week.

Your tax dollars at work: Weather Station Block Island is headquartered in one of the few clapboard structures here.

With the point eroding, the entire South Light structure was moved back 200′ at a cost of $2.5-million, and the bluff keeps eroding.

Sun. Breeze. Block Island. Who wouldn’t be smiling’ through the day?

Mansard roofs are many among the vintage homes and hotels on the Block.

At least in late June, the water is as clear as any place in dee I’lons, mon.