July 31 - Cuttyhunk to Newport

We managed to get a couple of TV channels last night, and were able to hear all the statistics on the unusually cool, wet and cloudy weather we've been having. It's encouraging to know that it isn't just a small cloud following us, but it would be more encouraging to hear a forecast that had a little bit of sun in it.

The rain held off until we went to bed, and I think it rained most of the night. It's not raining now, but it is very gray. The forecast is for an east wind, which will be good for our trip. We're going to get an early (more or less) start, leaving at 8:00. The forecast calls for some showers. With luck, we can be in Newport before they arrive.

No luck.

As we leave Cuttyhunk, we see many others doing the same, but the sprinkles seem to be escalating to light rain. We have prepared by putting on foul weather gear. A race committee boat we pass sends us a message, Press On. Our foul weather gear doesn't seem to be scaring the weather off. As we go further, the rain continues. The combination of wind (behind us) and tide (with us) has built up those big buzzards bay swells which now, swoop up and lift the stern causing a small burst of speed (along with the typical rolling). I could do without this, but it's not bad. This is one of the places where Solace's canoe stern is nice. When one of those swells catches the stern, you feel the push, but a lot of the force is dissipated as the wave parts. With one of those overhung sterns, the wave will often slap the exposed area and cause a nasty jolt.

As we sail on, the rain isn't so much a bother other than I don't go below to cook breakfast, not wanting to eat soggy food up here in the cockpit. I figure we'll wait until it clears, hoping we don't starve first. In my foul weather gear, I feel like a little kid in the rain. I'm dry enough, and warm enough to be somewhat removed from the rain itself, and am content to sit here while the boat sails and the rain rains around me. I take the time to think more about the quantum theory I'm reading about, and am actually hatching an interesting theory of my own.

I often wonder, "who goes out on a day like this?" We see many boats leaving with us, and today, encounter more boats along the way, in all directions, than we've seen for awhile. Perhaps everyone is just so used to this lousy weather that they just do it.

As we get closer to Newport, the rain increases. It is now actually raining hard. Although I had skipped the sea boots, and my feet were staying dry, this is no longer the case. Only about a mile from the entrance buoy to Naraganset Bay, the visibility is down sharply because of the rain. It had been several miles before in that funny hazy/sharp visibility you get with wet raindrops in clear dry(er) air. No matter, the temperature, though cool, is warm enough and the sky seems to be brightening a bit.

As we enter the harbor, the rain is light again, and things look brighter still. We manage to pick up a mooring in the main harbor, and go below to see if we can dry out. Marion laughs, "I bet it will stop raining as soon as we go below." She is, as usual, right.

We sit down to a warm brunch after shedding foul weather gear, and will have a warm shower before heading into town. Marion's sister and niece may join us later for dinner on shore, they having decided to do some New England touring this week.

Sorry about the lack of pictures here. You do know what rain looks like, though. I had my camera in my pocket, ready to do some shooting. It seems to have taken on some water, and is now complaining about all sorts of things. I'm going to give it a rest and hope that drying out helps. Until then, here's a weather map to paint the picture. It looks like the worst is behind us now, at least for today.