Frank Hall Marina Avondale Rhode Island

We arrived in Connecticut late July after a long journey from St. Augustine south to Vero Beach, then back north to New England. After settling S/V Mystic on a mooring ball, we headed back to Florida on an airplane to grab our truck, which we'd left behind. Flying south over the same course we had taken aboard Mystic, we recognized many ports where we'd stopped. With little time to spare, we spent one night with our friends then headed straight back to Connecticut. It felt good to have wheels again. There was so much to do before we left for Minnesota.

Cape May, New Jersey

Block Island

Dinner with our FL friends at the Mansion in Melbourne

The first thing on our list was to find a place to haul Mystic out for the winter. We thought about staying in Connecticut and looked into a well known marina in Noank. The Yard Manager wanted to know about our boat, what her brand and age. He told us he wouldn't agree to have Mystic in his yard unless he inspected her first. I guess he was worried that a good old boat of 50+ years may not live up to the marina's standards. We showed him photos of our beautiful Mystic and the response was that she is, in fact, a beauty; he would love to have her sit in his yard. After the unexpected attitude we received, we decided that the marina was not up to OUR standards and sought winter storage elsewhere. We were a bit worried about leaving Mystic in Connecticut after hearing that there were tax implications. Apparently, out of state vessels can stay in Connecticut waters for up to 60 days. After that, the State can require the boat owner to prove that sales tax was paid at the time of purchase. If not, the owner would be obliged to pay Connecticut tax. In addition, if you paid taxes at a lower percentage than Connecticut charges, you would have to pay the difference, regardless of how long ago you purchased your boat. This was not really a surprise to us since Connecticut is considered a high tax state.

S/V Mystic

With a list of options in hand, we headed over the border to Rhode Island where personal property taxes don't exist. Our first stop was a place on the Pawcatuck River called Frank Hall; a lovely marina sitting on prime, waterfront land that's been owned by the Hall family since 1745 and operated as a marina for three generations. The minute we arrived we felt at home. It reminded us of Knife River Marina in Minnesota where we started our journey. We met Mike and his yard hound, Dublin. He told us that Dublin was popular with boaters who enjoyed providing endless treats. Dublin spent his days roaming the yard and napping under the shade of boat hulls which was making him fat. Mike had to make a rule, NO FEEDING DUBLIN! It was very difficult for me to abide by this rule!

Sweet, friendly yard pup, Dublin

Beth with Dublin

We visited other marinas in Rhode Island but Frank Hall had us hooked from the start. Mike worked with us to make the haul out process easy. We spent a weekend at the dock emptying Mystic of all our cruising gear. She was hauled out mid August and placed near the marina office, right next to another sailboat, ironically, named Mystic. Everyone at Frank Hall was friendly and curious about this couple from Minnesota, on America's Great Loop but way off course; hauling out in Rhode Island before the end of the cruising season. We met a couple who had just completed their Loop and were in the process of selling their trawler before returning to their home in New Hampshire. Technically, New England is considered a detour, yet another Looper family found us here.

Mike hauling Mystic with the Harbor Hoist

Mystic was transferred to a travel flatbed

Moving Mystic to her spot in the yard

Two Mystic neighbors

Neck to Neck

We spent the month of August working on projects then winterized Mystic and wrapped her up in a temporary custom cover. It was a lot of work but we took short respites to enjoy our friends, family and our daughter, Brielle, who flew in from Wisconsin to spend a few days with us.

Brielle, Dave and Beth

It's always difficult to walk away from Mystic but we felt confident choosing Frank Hall Marina and highly recommend them to anyone visiting the area by boat. It is a quaint and friendly place to hang out; located close to Misquamicut Beaches, Watch Hill and historic Mystic, Connecticut. There is a lot to do and see in the area. We look forward to returning in the spring.

Frank Hall Boatyard - Good Old Boat Friendly!

Mystic Connecticut

On this Great Loop adventure, we've had several BIG milestones. The first was making it to Chicago, then down the inland waterway to Mobile, Alabama. Crossing the Gulf of Mexico was a huge accomplishment! Today we are 36 miles and 5 hours from our final 2019 destination and our next remarkable milestone, arriving in Mystic, Connecticut aboard S/V Mystic. Dave roused me at 6:00 am, with the hope of pulling anchor by 7:30 but it takes us until 8:15 to set off. A sailboat that anchored overnight with us is leaving at the same time. We moved together, all the way to New London where they continued north and we ventured close to shore to take photos of some of the landmarks we know and love. There was a lot of boat traffic on this beautiful summer morning.

Good Morning Westport

Our companions from Westport to New London

Good Old Boat traffic moving north

We passed Saybrook Breakwater Lighthouse and Lynde Point Lighthouse. Saybrook's shoreline is constantly changing as we move north. I in awe of the view, and take photos from every angle.

Lynde Point Light and Saybrook Breakwater Light

Millstone stood out distinctively along the Waterford shoreline. We passed Seaside Regional Center, Ocean Beach then New London Harbor Light. As we crossed the Thames River, Eastern Point Beach and UCONN came into view just behind New London Ledge Lighthouse. I've taken so many photos of this lighthouse from the beach. Today it is the other way around and the view is breathtaking. Our excitement grows as we pass one of my favorite places on earth, Bluff Point. I grew up nearby and spent every day of summer exploring the shoreline and gathering sea glass. Knowing how special it is to me, Dave brought me here to ask me to marry him!

Millstone

Seaside Regional Center

Cross Sound Ferry

Ocean Beach

New London Harbor Light

New London Harbor Light
Electric Boat in the background

Ledge Light, Shennecossett Beach
Clubhouse in the background

Gold Star Memorial Bridge

Avery Point UCONN

Avery Point and Avery Point Light

New London Ledge Lighthouse

New London Ledge Lighthouse
Eastern Point Beach in background

New London Ledge Lighthouse 
Eastern Point Beach in background

New London Ledge Light and Block Island Ferry

Bluff Point Cliffs

Bluff Point Bay

Groton Long Point

Mystic Pearl

Morgan Point Lighthouse, Noank, CT

North Dumpling Island Lighthouse

Noank Light

Morgan Point

We cruised up the Mystic River past Noank in search of diesel. Abbott's with the wall of lobster pots grabbed our attention. Costello's and Ford's Lobster were busy with tourists. We saw Shelley's cat boat, Willow, moored close to shore where she has always been. Shelley and Peter have been our close friends for as long as we can remember! 

We know this river well, we lived in the tiny village of Noank back in the 80's and have countless memories of our time here, including Hurricane Gloria in 1985. Noank was hammered by that storm. Everyone was evacuated and when we returned, we were shocked by the vast devastation to boats and marinas. The village recovered and is one of the hidden gems of southeastern Connecticut, known for it's rich history of fishing, lobstering and boat building.

Good Old Boat moored on the Mystic River

Maxwell's Marina - Dave helped build this dock in the 80's

Costello's

Abbott's Lobster In the Rough

Shelley's Cat Boat, Willow

Noank Riverview Ave

Noank Baptist Church

Ford's Lobster

Ford's Lobster

Noank town dock

Argia

What's the story here?

Novelty

Schooner on Mystic River

Ketch on Mystic River

The Mystic River is full of Good Old Boats

We stopped for fuel at Mystic River Marina and took our first walk on land in three days. It felt great to stretch our sea legs and walk around the grounds. After our break, we motored back to the mouth of the Mystic River and turned north toward Mason's Island. Our friend, Dan, has a mooring there which he generously offered us use of while we figured out what we'd be doing with Mystic for the winter.

The water was a bit shallow coming into the Mason Island; but we made it to the well-marked mooring in 10 feet of water without incident. Mystic will be safe and sheltered in this beautiful cove. The only issue is how to get ashore. There is no place to land a dinghy on Mason's Island and the closest marina's want $20 each time we land or launch. We have our dinghy but we appreciated our Brother-in-law, Mark, offering to come to our rescue. He gathered us, along with some of our belongings, and took us to shore on his fishing boat. It felt weird leaving Mystic behind. We've got things to take care of. First on the agenda is a long drive to Palm Bay, Florida to pick up our truck. We left it at our friend's house back in June. It will be great seeing our friend's again.

Leaving Mystic moored off of Mason's Island

Oops! Forgot to pull the fenders in!

View of Mystic from Mason's Island

Our 2019 cruising adventure brought us from Titusville, Florida to Mystic, Connecticut in two months. Our season was filled with many new experiences and heart warming connections with old friends and new. We are blessed in so many ways.

Our daughter, Brielle is coming to meet us here in just a few days. We are excited to spend time with her. We'll stay here in Connecticut through August then return to Minnesota for the winter. We can't help noting that we've got this cruising thing backward. One day, we'd love to spend our summers in Minnesota and our winter's cruising. THAT would be the best of both worlds!