PORT JEFFERSON, LONG ISLAND

JULY 12, 2016

We left beautiful Manhasset Bay behind and sailed about 35 miles to Port Jefferson.  As we drew near the entrance to the bay here came a huge tug pulling a barge and a commercial car ferry.  Time to take the sails down and get in line.  We passed thru the jetty behind the tug which was behind the ferry.  The Port Jefferson Bay is a very busy place.  Once we were thru the jetty we took a short look around. 

On either side of the bay are steep green hills filled with wonderful neighborhoods.  The back of the bay is filled with work docks, ferry docks, marina's and mooring balls all just blocks from town.  The streets are full of cars and sidewalks full of tourists.  We turned back toward the entrance to find most of the designated anchor spots full of private moorings.  We found a spot not far off the channel in about 20ft of mud well outside the mooring balls and dropped the anchor.  Perfect, we love anchoring on the edge.

We were soon settled in to watch all the activity in this busy harbor.  The Bridgeport & Port Jefferson Steamboat Co. runs the ferry across Long Island Sound many times a day and there are all kinds of boats coming in and out everywhere you look.  Every once in a while you hear the ferry horn blast and look up to see a small sail boat in front of a ferry trying to get out of the way. 

We have friends here that we met in Grenada.  Mike and June arrived aboard Idunno after we arrived.  In Mt Hartman Bay we got to know them as we all came and went to the cruiser activities.  We have kept in touch thru Facebook and are looking forward to getting together to share what is new in our boating lives.

DOCKED AT THE HOTEL DANFORDS

On Wednesday we took the dinghy into the dock to see what was available.  The only place we found to dock the dinghy was the very nice Danfords Hotel and Marina where they are were very helpful.  For $10 a day we can dock the dinghy, use their trash facilities and get water.  Not bad considering that they charge a dollar a ft per night for a mooring ball.   $44 a night for It's Perfect, we have paid less than than for dock and electricity.  While in town we walked the streets and were soon near Mike and June's home.  They live about a mile from the docks in a historic home that was once owned by June's grandmother.  We gave them a call and were soon sitting in the shade sharing news.   

DANFORDS HOTEL AND MARINA

ON THE WATERFRONT

June asked us to come for dinner the next day and was kind enough to give us a lift to the local Wal Mart about 5 miles away.  Walmart stores on the east coast are much smaller than any we have seen in the mid west but with a little patience we were able to get most of what we needed except fresh produce and meat.

The next day we refueled and checked It's Perfect for a departure on Friday the 15th.  About 3pm we were on our way to Mike and June's to meet fellow boaters Bill and Joan who own Mariah a 38ft sailboat.  Over a glass or two of wine we exchanged cruising experiences, talked about boats, weather, foreign countries and cruising news.  To the average person it might have been a little boring but you could hardly get a word in edgewise.  After a wonderful dinner it was time to say goodbye and head back to It's Perfect.  We are departing on Friday to round the end of Long Island and anchor one night in Orient Harbor on our way to the Cape Cod Canal.