Another week has gone by since my last post…this is harder than I thought to post frequent updates. It really is amazing how packed our days are and how exhausted we are once we fall in to bed. I had anticipated being able to do blog posts while underway as well however the focus and attention required during these transits has been greater than expected as well. While Melissa allows me some short breaks here and there during these passages to a new destination, my time is spent focusing on getting us safely there while she is focused on keeping everything running smoothly. It’s a lot! Food, podcasts, books on tape, more food, managing squabbles, etc. etc. etc. So blog posts just don’t happen.

It’s amazing to think back on all that has transpired over the last week. We, finally, left Westbrook, CT after a less than satisfactory experience at Pilots Point Marina. It seems I needed to be reminded that paying someone to do a shitty job leads to frustration. While we had hoped that some expertise would be found, we were staffed with junior technicians who didn’t seem interested in quality care. Thankfully our generator is now running and THAT took someone who actually knew Fischer Panda generators. So that was a success. The generator still needs attention and they had little interest in helping us pin down the exact issue, so we’ll need to find a yard or technician that will partner with us to know if we can rebuild or have to replace our generator. Anyway, this is boring stuff. Let’s talk about fun stuff.

The last week has been incredibly fun and fulfilling. I’ve lost count of the number of times I would have a deep sigh due to happiness and contentment. I’ve had some awesome quality time with the kids. While we’re just 6 weeks in and so much can happen or change, already I can say that I have zero regrets with the decision to do this. It’s not all puppy dogs and rainbows, but the time with Oliver and Elliott has been awesome. While they desperately need to find some kids and play with them, they are having a wonderful time and seeing some really great stuff. Wrinkles are being added to their brains.

We left Westbrook and did a big push to get to Newport, taking 9 hours. It was incredibly hot and the flies joined us for most of the trip, but once we arrived it made it all worth it. Long time friends had arranged for Atlas to stay at New York Yacht Club while in Newport and the location is hard to beat. After quickly getting the boat and dog sorted we headed in to Newport to have dinner with a Toronto friend who also happened to be in Newport. It was a lovely night and he gave us some great recommendations on how to spend our lone day in Newport.

The next morning we awoke to such a wonderful and gorgeous view. I had been to Newport many times before but had never experienced it on my own boat, with my family, moored in front of Harbour Court. So many amazing boats and beautiful homes. Oliver and Elliott joined Bo and I on our morning walk and we had a great hour ashore, playing on the playground and discovering the monument to Rochambeau at King Park. You probably know by now that we’re huge Hamilfans (that’s Hamilton, the musical, for those that don’t know) and the boys were thrilled to see this monument, sing some lyrics and then spend 10 minutes discussing why Rochambeau may have landed in Newport, how he and his army got to New York and then aided with the Battle of Yorktown. The fact that both boys were able to picture the Hudson, NYC, The Battery and the sail to/from Newport was really cool. Really, really cool. I’m still amazed on how much information a 4 year old can process and remember. And I’m thrilled that we’re able to show these boys these cool, historic places, and overlay them with the world history book we’re continuing to read.

After the dog walk/play sheesh we all hopped in to the dinghy to head over to Newport Shipyard for breakfast sandwiches and a dock walk to see all the super yachts. It was impressive and the boys were in awe. So were Melissa and I. Both at the sheer size and the gross display of wealth. Hard not to be impressed by both! It was fun to see the different variety of boats as well. Large catamarans (5 Gunboats!), large power boats, large sailboats, old (but impeccably maintained) and new, it was all there. A very cool experience.

After a quick lunch aboard Atlas we headed over to Fort Adams. Melissa did a run (it was 95 degrees and felt hotter) while the boys, Bo and I explored the perimeter of Fort Adams. What a cool experience this was too! I’ve been to Sail Newport and Fort Adams at least 10 times and never really paid attention to it, other than thinking “yeah, a fort.” Seeing it through the eyes of a handsome father with 2 young boys and trying to make it an educational experience was so cool. The boys loved it too. We even saw an old ship named the Oliver Hazard Perry which delighted both boys. And the views of Newport and Narragansett Bay were fantastic. Everyone was happy..and hot.

After Fort Adams we hurried back to Atlas to shower and change for our dinner at Harbour Court. While we’ve done this before we hadn’t done it with our kids or having come from our boat moored just off the club via NYYC tender. The evening was magical. As soon as we climbed the hill the boys sat in the Adirondack chairs and took in the majestic view of Newport Harbor. I know I keep saying this, but seeing things through their eyes is one of life’s greatest treasures. To see them go quiet and just sit there staring was cool. To see our boat, Atlas, moored out there, proudly flying its Canadian flag, and knowing that we had come all the way from Toronto was an unforgettable moment. Everyone was pleased. We can’t thank Ellen and Dan enough for making this happen.

The night was capped off by a lovely dessert and Elliott suddenly shouting to Melissa (across 2 tables) “Mom, I have to poop and pee!”

The next morning was spent furiously discussing where we would go as our planned destination of Vineyard Haven was going to be exposed to winds to 30 knots with a very long fetch for the waves to build. Not a place we wanted to be. We finally set sail with a couple of options but no firm plan as we wanted to make sure we utilized the fair current and time the passage through Woods Hole properly. Thankfully our local knowledge guru, Ellen, once again came through and recommended we anchor in Lagoon Pond in Vineyard Haven. It was the perfect solution and after a 6 hour passage we were safely tucked in and perfectly protected from the NE winds. I went ashore to walk Bo and came back to a decorated cockpit for my 46th birthday. It was a really touching moment and Melissa and the boys presented me with some really meaningful gifts and cards. A birthday I will never forget.

The next morning we met up with Dan and Ellen and were given the keys to a dog friendly Audi wagon (#swoon), provided delish breakfast sandwiches at VHYC and, essentially, given the keys to Martha’s Vineyard. Melissa and I adore the Vineyard and we’ve spent some unforgettable times here, usually facilitated by the Pesch family. So far we’ve enjoyed one of our favorite beaches, seen how glass is created, raced aboard a Hinckley and had an outrageous lobster dinner at really really cool house. Just another day in the life of the Hills!

This morning has been spent planning the next week. Trying to time tides, currents, book a slip for our week in NYC, and manage the remnants of Hurricane Ida that will bring 40 knots winds to our area. We were looking forward to visiting Block Island and had planned to hole up there for the winds and rain however we’ve learned that the holding there (the condition of the bottom for your anchor) is poor. While there are many mooring balls there’s no reserving them and with the Labor Day weekend we would expect many visitors this week and in to the weekend. The weather forecast will probably dissuade many but this is the game we play. We have one shot to go to a safe harbor…do we hope that Block Island will have a well founded mooring ball for us or do we go with a sure thing? I’ve learned that hope is not a plan, so we’re now furiously trying to figure out where we’ll go next and throwing away the 90 minutes of planning we did this morning to time our passage from Block Island, through the Race (an area of strong current), down LIS and entering/transiting the East River (remember Hell Gate?). Additionally, as I sit here writing this we’re in 23 knots of wind and the thought of sitting in 40 knots of wind isn’t super appealing. Back to the drawing board!