April 25th - She's in the water!  It wasn't until the following week that I had my chance to take her for our official first sail of the season.

This year, ORION is sporting a brand new carbon-fiber boom, courtesy of my father (a Christmas present).  A great addition!

May 23rd - I went on a three-day trip with friends Steve Hock and Chris Albert (who sailed his own boat) to Shelter Island and Greenport.

After crossing Long Island Sound, we anchored for the night at picturesque Coecles Harbor and ate dinner on my new cockpit table.

Coecles Harbor provided absolutely stunning views; this sunset across the harbor also shows we had the normally popular anchorage all to ourselves.

The second day we sailed around Shelter Island to visit Greenport before we went home the next day. More pictures are in the web album here.

June 29th-July 1st: The Southeast Connecticut Mariner Fleet sailed again to Mystic Seaport for the WoodenBoat Show. Six boats launched from Niantic.

We had a nice, steady breeze sailing to Mystic, and a day later, we had good winds heading over to West Harbor, Fisher's Island.

Despite a windy night with lumpy conditions, we had a good sleep in the anchorage before heading back home.

It was a great event, and it was a pleasure to see six Mariners all sailing together at one time. See all pictures at the web album.

August 1st: Paid a visit to the nearby Niantic Bay Yacht Club to buy some lunch. Notice the fleet of Optimists racing in the background.

The Yacht Club is a friendly sort of place with lots of activity. It will be quite a different sight in just a few short months!

Marionette, an S&S-designed Dolphin 24, is, in my opinion, the prettiest boat at the Club. More information on her can be found here.

After a quick lunch, I sailed around Millstone Point to Jordan Cove and anchored for a bit to read before heading home. A wonderful afternoon!

August 31st: Went for a short sail with my dad to Bartlett Reef Light, a 3.5-mile sail from the Niantic bridges.

The wind at the mooring was only about 5 knots, but once in Niantic Bay, it picked up to nearly 20.

It was a short trip, but a pleasant one, especially since it has been a few weeks since I've been out on the water.

The current was whipping past the Light, creating heavy chop over the reef which we avoided.

Oct. 4th: I took what I considered to be my last sail for the season and went around Black Point to Giant's Neck, anchoring by Griswold Island.

It was a very windy sail there, but once in the lee of the island, I put up the awning, took in the beautiful sights and even took a short nap.

Later on that afternoon, I headed home. The winds were absolutely perfect, and it was a great way to end the sailing season.

Once through the new railroad bridge, I spotted my nemesis! View more pictures of this trip at the online web album.