Floriana

It was time to make our way back home. The journey home would start from Vineyard Haven and go first through Woods Hole, and on to Cuttyhunk for the night. But first we have to refuel and fill water tanks. At Vineyard Haven the fuel dock is very small and tightly nestled among ferries and cruising ships.

Too close for comfort….I hope they don’t decide to move just yet!

Once refueled, we were on our way through Woods Hole.

Woods Hole is a tricky area to get through. You need to time your current so that you’re not trying to navigate a current that can be 3 knots against you! This picture shows a green buoy that is almost at slack tide….almost!

Approach to Woods Hole.

On the opposite side of Woods Hole Oceanographic Institute is Hadley Harbor. It’s a small, natural port situated on the private island owned by the Forbes family. Boats are welcomed to drop an anchor and stay the night, but no one is allowed on shore!

Once through Woods Hole, we were on our way to Cuttyhunk.

The approach to Cuttyhunk is well marked, but depths get as low as 9′ in some places. It has its moments!

Once safely moored in this quaint little harbor, we had lunch on the boat. It consisted of burritos and wine (because there was no more Corona beer onboard!)

We told ourselves that we would go to town in the late afternoon and have an early dinner somewhere. But when the harbormaster came around to collect mooring fees, he told us that the restaurants were closed for the season and that the only one still open until end of September is the Lobster House….but, he suggested that we’d better place our order asap and reserve to be seated no later than 5:30 pm, The restaurant, he continued, would be closing early that evening and anyone not seated by 5:30 was out of luck! So I asked what time Godfather Pizza closed (the only pizzeria on the island and, the last time I ate there the pizza was cold and soggy!). The harbormaster shook his head NO! Godfather Pizza closed after Labor Day….because the owner is a school teacher on Long Island and he had to leave before school started. Therefore, not even cold, soggy pizza could be had. You can’t make this stuff up!

But then….Cuttyhunk Shellfish Farms came to the rescue…boat by boat.

Clams and oysters shucked in front of you…..it doesn’t get any better than this!

Claudio starts planning the return trip home.