Bringing Izzy Home

September 17 - 23, 2019

We returned to Minnesota from our 2019 cruising season in time for a Labor Day wedding and the annual Oktoberfest at the Gasthaus in Stillwater. Two weeks after our return, we got a call from my brother-in-law, Mark Sauchuk, in Connecticut. He wanted us to help him deliver his beautiful Down East lobster boat (crab boat in the south), from Reedsville, Virginia to New London, Connecticut. He asked us to come along for the ride because we had just traveled the exact course he would be taking. We didn't hesitate for one moment. Although this would mean going to the dark side, cruising on a stink potter powerboat, we were all in!

It turned out to be the perfect detour for us all. Dave and I had secured seasonal jobs that would start in October so we had time to fit this in. Excited for the adventure, we packed our car and headed south to meet Mark in Reedsville. He was already settled in aboard Izzy. He'd equipped her with a microwave, a coffee pot and a huge fishing cooler. The only issue we faced was that we'd be moving on only one engine. Izzy's port side engine was out of commission. We were not sure how this would pan out but we survived and had a GREAT time. I wrote a book for Mark about our adventure. Here it is:

Mark's wife (my sister) is named JOYCE!

Mark loved the book, a memoir that documented our adventure aboard Izzy. We were so happy to have had the opportunity to accompany him on this journey. Although our preferred mode of transportation is wind, we enjoyed every moment aboard Izzy and marveled at how quickly we got to port each day. The trip from Reedsville, Virginia to New London, Connecticut took five days. It took us three weeks to cover the same distance aboard S/V Mystic. There's something to say about saving time yet our Great Loop Adventure has been all about taking things slow. 

Captain Mark Sauchuk

Avondale Rhode Island

We spent the month of August 2019 working on projects and winterizing Mystic to prepare her for a long layover. She'll sit at Frank Hall Marina in Avondale, Rhode Island until spring. Although we worked hard each day, there was plenty of time to explore the little town of Avondale. We took long walks and photographed the quaint, historic area around our marina. It was much like exploring Two Harbors, Minnesota, Mystic's home port. This place is filled with hidden gems.

Beautiful Avondale Home

Saucer flowers growing along stone wall

Right down the road from Frank Hall is the Avondale Farm Preserve. It is a 50 acre plot of prime land that was set aside by the Westerly Land Trust in 1987 as its first conservation project. There are paved roads and grass paths leading through an array of native wildflower fields that grow taller than us. We took daily respites from our work to explore the preserve and run the paths. A monument found along the roadside, makes the statement "We took our Stand We Saved This Land", all for the enjoyment of the community.

Monument Stone sits beneath a tree at Avondale Farm Preserve

Avondale Farm Preserve Monument

Avondale Barn

Fields of native wildflowers line the trails

The Avondale farm was originally the Pendleton-Chapman house. The homestead, barn and schoolhouse, located on the front lot of the property, were purchased then renovated by Charles Royce who also rebuilt the magnificent Ocean House in Watch Hill. Charles and his wife were summer beach residents who wanted a quiet place to escape from the bustle of tourists at the beaches. They insisted that the renovations keep to the original historic design and they incorporated eco-friendly systems to limit the environmental impact. The Avondale farm residence is quite attractive with beautiful grounds and gardens that drew us in with their authentic charm. It looks to be a lovely place to call home.

Avondale Farm Buildings

Beautiful gardens at Avondale Farm

Stone wall around Avondale Farm

Ocean House View from Napatree Point

Ocean House Photo by Oceanhouseri.com

https://www.oceanhouseri.com/

The Avondale chapel, a branch of the First Baptist Church of Westerly, was dedicated in 1847. The land was donated by Ethan Pendleton, a descendent of Joseph Pendleton who auctioned off plots of land through a lottery in 1748 after losing his ship and an uninsured cargo of rum. This led to the town being named Lotteryville. It was renamed Avondale when the Post Office opened in 1893. The village saw a lot of growth through the 1800s. A school and many homes were built during this time, making this tiny little town a bustling community of sailors, fisherman and shipmasters, many of whom were a part of the whaling community.

You can see right through the chapel windows

Avondale is a quaint and charming New England port close to the Atlantic Ocean, Fisher's Island Sound and the gorgeous beaches of Rhode Island. We couldn't have picked a better spot to leave Mystic and take a break from our looping adventure. In addition to the natural beauty that surrounds us, it is only a 20 minute drive to my family and friends in Connecticut. We are excited to return in the spring, with the promise of longer days, the sun rising higher in the sky and the birds serenading us in the budding trees.

Dreamer at Watch Hill, Rhode Island

Napatree Point at Watch Hill

Watch Hill Cove, Mystic is just up the Pawcatuck River

Watch Hill Lighthouse

We've spent the month of March preparing for our return by completing boat projects, gathering up our gear and checking off all the boxes on our "to do" lists. Our excitement had been building! And then the Covid-19 Virus arrived, putting all our plans on hold. We've been watching the Looper and Cruising forums which tell us that marinas are closing across the country. We are working on "Plan B", at this very moment, and hope to be on our way to Mystic soon!

Family and friends keep an eye on Mystic.
Photo by Tom Izbicki, March 23, 2020

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!