Inside Block

We opted for Block Island as a destination only after the extended forecast for this week's vacation had called for several days of fog with a cold front passing through mid-week which predicated stronger winds and heftier seas for our would-have-been, tight-window-of a-return trip from Martha's Vineyard. After spending a delightful day touring Block Island's breathtakingly beautiful interior (on bikes), it's hard to believe this wasn't a first choice destination.

Izzie started the day off sweetly, greeting us with her tail thwapping on a pillow, keeping an even rhythm, steady as a metronome. When Dan joined the crew in the V-berth, she upped her pace to double time.

Today's forecast for patchy fog in the morning giving way to a sunny, 75-degree summer day did not materialize. In fact, the opposite unfolded - - a gloriously sunny and clear morning greeted us, and then fog nuzzled its way along and onto the island shore. On bikes, with Izzie in tow via a "Tail Wagon," we toured along West Side Road which snaked its way along twisty, undulating countryside lined with historic stone walls gracefully following the contours of the varied terrain. Silver mist floated through the landscape, muting the otherwise bolder green scenery. We stopped at the brick Southeast Lighthouse, perched a now comfortable distance from the bold Mohegan Bluffs which drop dramatically to the shoreline. No blue water or wide horizon could be seen today, just a light, bright gray from which a seagull emerged. Back on our bikes, Bodhi led the way, maintaining about a quarter-mile lead on his parents and the symbolism was not lost on us. We pedaled onward toward town and treated ourselves to awesome lobster rolls and onion rings at a take out spot for lunch. Reluctantly yet obediently, Izzie resumed her spot in the Tail Wagon for our final leg back to the Boat Basin.

Back aboard Puffling, we rested, played a few hands of Canasta before dinner of Scallops Gilroy (scallops sautéed in butter and garlic, cracked pepper, white wine and tarragon, then smothered in sour cream)n served over rice and steamed broccoli.

Dan has taken Izzie ashore in the fog for her final "business" trip of the day.

oxo Pufflings