Cruising the Connecticut River to Essex

Thursday, July 10, we cruised from Milford, CT to Cedar Island Marina in Clinton, CT. The marina was very nice with a large outdoor pool, laundry, and a free pump-out. We were able to wash and dry 2 loads of laundry before my sister & brother-in-law came to pick us up for dinner. Doris Jean and Bill are Florida residents and live in Palmetto six months during our northeast winters and then spend the other six months enjoying the summer months on Griswold Island, near Niantic, CT. Life is Good!

We went to Lenny & Joe’s Fishtale Restaurant. Bob and I had the lobster dinners for $17.99/each….what a deal! The lobsters were steamed while we waited and came with salt potatoes and “native” corn on the cob. After dinner we toured around Clinton & Westbrook, CT, both charming New England towns. We spotted an Advanced Auto Parts store in a small plaza, so Bob and Bill ran in and bought 8 gallons of engine oil, so we’re all set for our next oil change on TOM-KAT.

The first two pictures show different ways of mooring boats when space is at a premium and there’s no room to swing. The first picture is in Milford on the Wepawaug River with the boats moored to single floating docks. The second picture is in Clinton Harbor with the boats moored out of the channel between pilings. In both instances, you’ll need a dinghy to reach your vessel.

Yesterday morning, July 11, we headed east and at the Old Saybrook Breakwater we turned and headed up the Connecticut River. We had been told that there is a fair amount of commercial traffic on the river, but we saw no tows, etc. We came to the Old Lyme Railroad Bridge in the open position, so we cruised right on through. If the bridge is closed the sign flashes the minutes left until the next opening. What a marvelous idea!

We passed a small marina on the eastern shore. Hopefully you can see the house and the yard behind the marina (double click for a larger image). The two horses on the lawn are not real, but the helicopter is…..we saw it land!

We continued to cruise about 7 miles up river until we came to Essex, CT and the Essex Boat Works. We plan on having this facility fix our dripless shaft, as well as sodablasting the paint off the bottom (we have accumulated too many layers of bottom paint and they are starting to flake off). We’ll have several coats of barrier paint applied to the bottom and then a layer of bottom paint.

One block from the marina is the Main Street of Essex and the Griswold Inn. The inn has been opened since 1776 and is one of the oldest continuously operated inns in the country. The Inn was built by Sala Griswold and was in the same family until 1972. Farther down Main St. back toward the water is the Connecticut River Museum. Wooden boats were on display both on land and in the water for an Antique Boat Show this weekend. Bob recognized this Gale Motor (early 60's vintage) as one made by OMC and sold by Montgomery Ward.

Right across the street from the museum was this cute birdhouse that matches the house on the property .

We stopped for a quick bite to eat at the “Black Seal Restaurant” before heading back to TOM-KAT at the boatyard.

Thanks for Visiting with Us