Boston, MA (Monday, 9/4 – Labor Day).
Taking advantage of the late checkout and our planned late departure from the marina, we slept in as late as possible. We then took nice hot showers and headed to the concierge lounge where we got a nice breakfast. We checked out of the hotel and got an Uber ride back to the marina where it was sunny and calm and locals were taking their boats out for what turned out to be a beautiful day.
We left Salem just after noon and in no time we were passing Marblehead Light. We cruised around the barrier islands of Nahant and Deer Islands and into Boston Harbor.
Leaving Salem Harbor
Buildings on Nahant Island
Deer Island – Boston Harbor
This place was even crazier than the last time we had arrived, with fishing boats, pleasure craft, tour boats, ferries, Coast Guard vessels and cruise ships all navigating around the channel and churning up the waters. As soon as we passed the marinas near the Marriott Hotel things settled down and we were able to easily cruise back into Constitution Marina up the Charles River. This time we were not put on the transient dock, but rather they assigned us a slip on D-dock where we would be near several of the live-aboards and seasonal slip holders and that was ok with us; boaters look out for other boaters.
We secured the boat, checked in with the marina and communicated with family. Mark washed off the boat and Denise worked on getting the blog ready for a post. We had already decided to go to Regina’s Pizzeria for dinner, and since we did not have lunch around 4:30 we headed out to Boston’s north end. Our walk took us by way of the Charles River Locks walkway, and (naturally) Denise chimed the Charlestown Bells as she passed. (See blog post “Boston Strong”).
We arrived to find an already long line, but put our name in for seats at the bar and then waited in the hot sun. Finally, after 30 minutes or so, we got seated and placed our order and had a well-deserved beer that tasted oh so good! By the time our individual pizzas showed up we were starving and wasted no time finishing them off and another beer. After this we walked back towards the boat, stopping at Bova’s Bakery to get some great cookies like we had done when we were here in July. Not great for the waistline, but oh so delicious!
Regina’s Pizzeria
Bova’s Bakery – north end
When we returned to the boat we streamed the weather and news and became concerned. It looked like hurricane Irma was looking to hit our home state and upset our coming weekend plans. We would definitely have to follow this storm in the next two days.
One thing for sure; we were happy to be in a marina with great internet connectivity, cell coverage, water, and electrical power. And tonight for the first time in weeks we had to use the power for our AC not the heater. What a difference 100 miles makes!
Constitution Marina from bridge
Boston, MA (Tuesday, 9/5)
Happy to be in familiar grounds, Denise went for a good run this morning back along the Charles River. Her run took her past the locks and parks along the water to the MIT Sailing Club and then back to the marina. It was hot but this would provide a little acclimation to the heat she will face when running with her buddies this coming weekend. She loved it!
Early morning rowers on the Charles
In the morning we took some time to clean the boat; Mark washed the outside and Denise the inside. We spent the afternoon doing work for clients, administrative items for our business, and working on getting text down for an update to the blog. It was nice to have a good internet connection and not be concerned with eating up our hotspot with the large data transfers.
In the evening we walked the ½ mile to Whole Foods and got a few things, including a rotisserie chicken that we paired with some rice and a salad for a nice dinner aboard our Island office.
Boston, MA (Wednesday, 9/6)
As expected, the weather in Boston was stormy and very windy. We did not venture far from the boat and spent some time talking to others in the marina. One such person was Chuck who owns a Back Cove ’37 that he purchased after it had been sunk in hurricane Sandy. We had met him when we stayed here the first time, and saw him and his fiancée Victoria again in NE Harbor, Maine. It is fun to share improvements and other challenges with a boat owner that has the same boat.
Despite our bad weather here, we were sympathetic to the people in the Virgin Islands who took a horrible beating by Irma. The initial reports coming in did not look good and our hearts go out to the people there. We were now getting a little concerned with the impact this could have on Florida and our home.
Moonrise over Constitution Marina
Boston, MA (Thursday, 9/7)
Today was the day to reschedule all of our upcoming weekend activities. It was clear that the storm would most likely hit Florida and we would be impacted in Orlando in some way. So we had to plan our Friday afternoon to prep for it. We put together a game plan so when we landed in Orlando on Friday morning we could attack all that would be needed to get us through the post-hurricane period. The news was reporting of long gas lines and bottled water flying off the shelf. We were grateful that we had already filled our cars with gas before we left in July, and that we had at least 3 gallons of bottled water at the house. We would freeze pitchers of tap water once we got home and that should give us plenty to get us over the hump.
In prep for leaving the boat, we did laundry, updated the blog and our bags for home. We then walked up the hill from the marina to Blacksmoor Bar and Kitchen and had a nice dinner in a casual atmosphere. We watched the weather channel on the TV in the bar from the high-tops where we were seated. It looked ugly for Orlando and we were really concerned, but grateful our boat was not there.
Blackmoor entrance
Boston, MA (Friday, 9/8)
We took an Uber cab to Logan International from the marina at o-dark thirty and arrived in plenty of time to get through security and go to the Sky Club for a quick breakfast. Mark had already received notice of his upgrade to First Class, and when we walked down to the gate we saw almost nobody there. Denise was also upgraded to First Class and there were over 80 open seats available on the plane. The plane was only 1/3 full with mostly Delta crew dead-heading, or a handful of central-Florida residence (like us) trying to get to their homes before Irma struck. The exception was a Chinese family who had at least 10 in their party and were headed to Disney World. They had at least 4 kids who were so excited to see the Magic Kingdom, and they were not going to let a hurricane interfere with their fun. They had great attitudes and were terrific.
Once on-board the flight we were surprised to see our friend Susan Dare, an Orlando-based Delta Flight attendant was working that flight and heading home. It was a terrific surprise and made the trip home all that more special.
We will pick up our adventures on Island Office once we return back to the boat on 9/12.
Island Office 