Let the Adventure Begin! Day One: 5.27.2018: Trailering to Providence, RI and launching!

May 27 and we are finally underway. Let the adventure begin! 

Winds on the Atlantic between Portsmouth and the Cape Cod Canal have been unfavorable. First they were straight in our face, then in our face and too strong (over 20mph), then moist winds from the East bringing fog. So we stayed home. Today about noon, Gary's father drove us with Eclipse in tow, and Partial Eclipse on the roof of the car, all the way to Providence RI. He then brought the empty trailer back home.

We launched at Collier park under a cold drizzle and a stiff wind, and spent half an hour tied up while we stowed gear and rigged for motoring. And finally, we're underway. Memorial Day weekend and we've got the harbor to ourselves. No wonder! Cold and drizzle keeps most boaters in their warm houses.

Gary at the helm as the Providence Skyline fades away

Numerous international cargo vessels dot the harbour in Providence.  Note the wind turbines.

The providence Skyline as seen off the stern of Eclipse

The cargo ship, "Ciel de Gaspesie"  (Sky of Gaspe), docked in Providence.  Gaspe is a port city in Northeastern Quebec Province.

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Many picturesque lighthouses dot the shoreline and the waters as we head out from the Providence River and emerge into Narragansett Bay.

Once we settled into a routine, I ducked below to cook up a curried shrimp with vegies. As the afternoon progressed toward evening, the waves built to three feet with occasional white-caps. It was still cold with a heavy drizzle, so around 6pm we found an anchorage on the west side of Prudence Island, a space we shared with four other sailboats taking refuge from the inclement weather as well. As soon as we were secured topside we went below to fire-up the Webasto furnace. Having a forced hot air heater on board Eclipse makes all the difference on a chilly, wet day!