If you have ever boated in Long Island Sound, you are familiar with what can be a treacherous stretch of water called The Race. This 3.5-mile stretch runs from Fishers Island to Little Gull Island, east of Orient Point. It is known for its fantastic fishing, but if you hit it wrong, the strong and unpredictable currents and wind can create large waves, posing a danger to those on smaller vessels. Your best bet for an easy passage through it is to go during slack tide or one that is going to give you a nice push. Still, be prepared and do your research. It will definitely benefit you by making your trip more enjoyable.
We often have to take this passage when we make our way to some of our favorite ports of call, such as Shelter Island, and to say I dread it every time is an understatement. You can sometimes feel like you are in a washing machine. Now, as I am not a boating reporter, you can go online and get detailed information on this area, but for now…let’s just use it as an example of my October. 😂
We started our month with a milestone birthday party for a dear friend. It was an Oktoberfest get-together. When I received the invitation from his wife, I knew I had to contribute a dish. Give this girl a theme and the permission to bring something, and you know, I will have a good time getting into the culinary spirit. I’ll speak more on this under The Galley where I will share the dish I did. Until then, let’s move on to the rest of the busy month.
Last week I received a fantastic Facebook message from my cousin who lives in Massachusetts. Her son would be playing in a hockey game at Connecticut College, so she would be a short 10 minutes from me. While we spent many holidays together growing up in our younger years and have kept in touch online, I haven’t physically seen her in well over 10 years. So, of course, I would be breaking out my warm base layers, hat, and gloves and venture over to the rink. We had a lovely visit, catching up while watching these incredible athletes glide quickly across the ice. It was an intense game that resulted in one ambulance being called for an injury and a later scuffle on the ice. After years of watching my kids battle around marks in the water, it took a bit to get used to the action that happens when water is frozen!
Then the storm was predicted. A real one, not a Squall girl one. This forecast led us to make the tough decision to end the boating season and put the sailboat to bed. Although this took away one of my favorite overnights of the year at the Mystic Seaport, it is always better to err on the side of caution in this case. Cheers to another great season, Talisman. You did great. Now enjoy your nice winter rest!
After securing the girls’ safety at the dock, it was time for some fun. A family celebration of all the October birthdays. We have three within a week, so we hopped in the car and ventured over to my brother’s for a family get-together. The food was fantastic, but the company was the real treat. Having all of us, my family, my brother and sister, my nephews with their families, was incredible because, as you all probably know, as families grow, so do everyone’s commitments during the holidays and day-to-day life. To have us all under one roof was worth the stormy ride home (and that was just my husband and son fighting over GPS with their not-so-inside voices in a small space).
A few days later, we hosted my birthday at the house where I was spoiled by two things. Wonderful and thoughtful gifts (noise-canceling headphones for the win!) and their promise that dinner would be semi-quiet and limited boat talk. I know this sounds silly, but I can do without engine repair talk and carburetors for one meal!
Now I am officially out of The Race. It was bumpy and rail-grabbing at times, but I am ready to find a quiet personal anchorage where I can drop anchor for a few weeks before the return voyage, which will include the holiday season. I think for this longer passage, I will navigate around The Race. Take my time to enjoy the journey and the people along for the trip with me. Don’t get me wrong. I will still be wearing my life jacket because you never know when the seas may be bumpy again, and I will be prepared to abandon ship to the nearest spa. It’s already loaded in my GPS.
