Vineyard Haven

Departed Red Brook Harbor at 11:30 a.m. after having homemade pumpkin muffins on the mooring. Conditions remained largely congenial -- wind 10+ knots from the south with seas 1-2 feet -- and the ride from Pocasset to Woods Hole was partially made in the lee of Nashaun Island. Along the way, the engine stopped. We paused. This was not a confidence builder, particularly as we approached Woods Hole. We drifted for a moment, started the engine up again and once underway again, decided the event one due to human error. It's a daunting prospect to entertain engine trouble without having a set of sails for Plan B. As anticipated, conditions for navigating through Woods Hole were favorable. We motored behind two other power boats and took in the familiar sights of the Martha's Vineyard ferries shuttling to and from the island. Once again, we marveled at how the passage took 90 minutes and we were secure on a mooring just outside the breakwater in what felt like record time.

We had intended to make our usual Farmer's Market run on Wednesday morning but learned once we chatted with the bus driver that due to the island's Agricultural Fair happening this week, the Farmer's Market was cancelled. Bodhi and I decided to take the bus to Morning Glory Farm, one of our favorite veggie purveyors at the market and then we had brunch outside in Edgartown before returning to sweet, quiet Vineyard Haven.

The island is definitely taking public health seriously as anyone over the age of two entering a restaurant, store or public facility in Tisbury, Oak Bluffs and Edgartown (i.e. island-wide) is required to wear a mask.

We also took time to pump out the holding tank, splash off Discovery's salt-caked surfaces and top off the water tank which holds 40 gallons - about half of Puffling's capacity -- at the dock at Owen Park.

We are saying farewell to the tail of Tropical Storm Fred, who has graced us with overcast skies, intermittent showers and gusty wind. And we are keeping a keen eye on Tropical Storm Henri which is forecasted to bring 2-3 foot seas to the Rhode Island Sound Saturday morning, building to 5 feet by midday and 7-10 feet after midnight. If all goes as planned, we'll be in Cuttyhunk tomorrow and back in the protected waters of Narraganset Bay