Nantucket Days 1, 2 & 3

On Tuesday we found our way to Nantucket. It was very hot and there was no wind so we motored the whole way. When we arrived we saw huge motor yachts. One even had a pool on it's top deck. The harbormaster led us to our mooring and gave us a bunch of helpful guides to help us figure out the town. I was hopeful that the showers here would allow me the ability to dry my hair but no such luck. It was shower shoes and hot steamy air all the way. An environment not conducive for hair drying. I've given up on that luxury this trip!

The first day Dad and I walked the town. There are far more shops and restaurants here and everything is very expensive. We watch the Sox play Tampa Bay two nights in a row and caught the World Cup semi-final game at a local restaurant. The next day my friend Annie K took a plane from Martha's Vineyard to hang with us for the day. It was great to see her again. We rented bikes and rode down to Cisco Beach to check it out. Then, we rode to Cisco Brewers/Distillery/Winery. There were many libations to taste. We tasted their brews first and then decided it might be best to fill our bellies before heading on to taste vodka or wine. Fortunately, there was a wonderful farm up the road with a farm store that had delicious sandwiches and other good eats. We bought our food and took it back to Cisco to eat on their patio with Bloody Marys. After that we biked back to town. Dad headed back to the boat and Annie and I did a little bit more window shopping. I did happen to find some shoes, which isn't a huge surprise. But, it was a good deal!!

Today, we are relaxing, reading and later we're going to the store and to the laundry mat. We are anticipating the arrival of Carol and the Petersons on Wednesday and we can't wait!

Happy Birthday Susanna! Happy Birthday USA!

We've had a great time on the Vineyard thanks to the Knopfs who have been so gracious with their time and helped us with so many things during our visit. The highlight of the trip was 4th of July when the Knopfs rafted their boat with ours so we could have a fun picnic and watch the fireworks together. Annie Knopf made a yummy meal topped off with a delicious flag cake made from scratch.

Also, congratulations to the LeReche family on the birth of their beautiful baby girl. Susanna Megan LeReche was born at 4:15 pm July 5th weighing 8 lbs 10 oz. She is a wonderfully healthy baby and I can't wait to meet her. Way to go Nick and Corinne!! I love you guys!

Today Dad and I are off to Nantucket our final stop on our New England tour. We'll be there about a week and half before we head home.

Shitter's full!

Since leaving Block Island we stopped in Newport for a couple of days. Dad has been there many times before so he showed me the Newport Shipyard that housed many old America's Cup boats and beautiful yachts that had come up from BVI for the summer. Apparently, boaters can't get insurance down south during hurricane season so they bring their boats up north.

Next we headed to Martha's Vineyard. My dear friend Annie K. has a house on the Vineyard and she was sweet enough to save us a mooring before we got there. She also let us do laundry at her place and showed us around town. It was a tremendous help! The night we got in she escorted us to dinner and we had the best meal. I had a salad that had mashed potatoes on top with a lemon butter sauce (yummy!). She ordered french fries with parmesan cheese, mushrooms, caramelized onions and truffles on top (double yummy!).

The following day Dad and I got the boat ready for a visitor. Chip came to town!! Yippee! But before he arrived the most disgusting thing that could ever happen....happened. Dad and I noticed that there was something leaking from the exhaust pipe connected to the waste tank. A waste tank is where everything from the toilet goes until we are able to dump it out in the Atlantic or pump it out. Dad thought that he had opened the tank while we were out in the ocean, but apparently there was a blockage because we discovered that not only was the tank not empty, it was about to burst. (GROSS!!!) I got the pleasure of opening the tank. I slowly unscrewed it one turn and brown juice dribbled from the opening. As I was gagging my Dad said, "let me take over". I, being the dedicated crew that I am, said "no, I got this." - HUGE MISTAKE! I unscrewed the cap and a brown volcanic like mass spewed from the top just missing my face. Yes, folks you know what that brown mass was. I don't think I need to spell it out for you. I was surprised that I was able to keep calm but at that point I did let Dad take over and I went below to wash my hands about 50 times or more.

On a brighter note, Chip did get in later that afternoon and we had a lovely dinner on the boat before heading to town for drinks with Annie and Ted. Today, we rented bikes and explored more of Edgartown and Oak Bluffs on Martha's Vineyard. And, tonight we'll head back in to town for some dinner. More highlights from Martha's Vineyard and 4th of July to come.

The one thing I learned this week is that the gauges on a boat are typically right. If your Dad says that the waste gauge should be reset - DON'T reset it. It probably means the shitter is full!