(Throughout the blog, click on any picture to enlarge)
This will
most likely be a fool’s errand. Two day
after returning from our two week trip on Blue Belle, I will take a shot at
putting together a journal of the good, the bad, and the ugly…..this from
someone who has difficulty remembering what I did yesterday. Here goes nothing.Mashpee to West Greenwich, RI
It is a
gorgeous day with light winds and clear skies, ideal conditions for starting
our trip. We have trekked down to the
dock with duffel bags, food supplies, linens, and the plug-in
refrigerator-freezer that sits on the back deck.
Technically, the cruise begins when we shove off from the dock. It’s the same procedure we do every time: engine on; thrusters on; lines untied. Then, as the last step, Bert literally shoves the boat away while stepping on to the back deck. Departure time is 8:30 AM. At 8:30:05, we have our first mishap, and not a small one at that. Bert says “I think I’m bleeding.” An understatement. I turn around to see blood streaming down his face and arm as he holds his hand to his head. Do not panic, I think. Yeah, right. I’m reminded that I have no calling whatsoever to be a nurse and have to concentrate on not fainting.
As the story
goes, Bert gripped a handrail mounted by the door into the cabin while he leaned
into the boat. His hand accidentally slipped
down the rail and his head smacked into the fiberglass molding of the
boat. A mess. Quick!
Turn off the engine, retie the boat, and get back to the condo. I’m startled by the amount of blood dripping
on to the dock which is starting to look like a crime scene. By the time we reach the condo, the wad of
paper towels pressed to his scalp is soaked through.
By 9:00, the
bleeding has stopped and Bert is showing no signs of concussion or confusion (at
least nothing beyond the normal, that is.)
In retrospect, we make what was probably a risky decision and head back
to the boat. Bert uses a hose to wash the
blood off the dock.
We are
underway, finally. I am watching Bert
like a hawk (more than my usual hawk-watching) for any signs of trauma. Fortunately, there is none, but the big gauze
bandage on his head is a stark reminder of the accident.
Today, we will head to West Greenwich, RI as a stopping point on our way to Hampton Bays for our annual get-together with the Maguires. We make a quick stop for fuel at Pirate Cove, grateful that fuel prices are roughly half what they were several years ago. With enough drama already under our belt, we tie up at Norton’s Boat Yard and head to the Nautica restaurant for dinner. It’s been quite a day.
Nobska Light, Woods Hole, MA |
Norton's Marina, West Greenwich, RI
Norton's Dock
Morning at Norton's Boat Yard
Norton's Launch
CLICK HERE for all the photos from the trip. Warning: There are almost 300 pictures on the photo site. Click on any picture to enlarge, and look for the slideshow option for best viewing.