Chip Ahoy's 2009 Abbreviated Cruise
The incomplete Cape Cod Cruise

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Description

I awakened in Scituate still exhausted as somewhat sore where the surgery was done in March, but satisfied that I'd made it. Chip Ahoy's location couldn't be much nicer, right down the dock from the harbormaster's office, the town parking lot, and nearby to Dunkin Donuts and restaurants.  (Aug. 5, 2009)

Chip Ahoy was a straight walk down the dock to its end, with the harbor beyond.

A closer look.

NOAA weather issued a National Weather Service severe thunderstorm alert at 4:02 pm.  The cold front's effect rolled over us at 4:30 with ferocious thunder and lightning, a few brief but heavy showers, and increased wind, though not the 60 mph gale that was warned.

Longtime friends Norm and Joan Paley of Scituate stopped down after the storm had passed. They were surprised to learn I was here -- surprised that I'd recovered enough from my surgery to be out on my cruise.  We visited out in Chip Ahoy's cockpit under the pup-tent until the No-See-Ums became too aggressive.  (Aug. 5, 2009)

I'd planned to depart this morning, but I'm still too exhausted, uninspired, and a bit sore. At the Paley's suggestion -- and with no resistance from me -- I arranged with the harbormaster to spend another night if I wanted come morning. It was time to decide.  (Aug. 6, 2009)

Heading over for my morning Dunkin Donuts coffee, looking at sunrise over the harbor and Chip Ahoy, indecision reigned. Such a beautiful day ahead -- I should give making it to Plymouth a shot, maybe I'll feel better . . .

Back aboard, looking at the collection of things needing to be stowed, thinking of what's required to get the boat ready to cruise, and feeling utterly exhausted still and sore, I decided not to push it. Later in the day, over lunch with the Paleys, I decided they and others I'd spoken with were probably right; I hadn't fully recovered from the surgery yet.  It was time to admit it, throw in the towel and head back to Marblehead.

More of the cruising gear stowed on the starboard side bench/bunk, forward of the electronics above. It's tough when I need something from the locker beneath, where tools, parts, etc. are always stowed: Everything first must be shuffled and moved out of the way. Note the small solar panel in the window, which keeps the AM/FM/WX radio (beneath) charged.  (Aug. 6, 2009)

Having made the decision to head home, I asked for another day's stay from the harbormaster. Though they were "booked solid and then some" for Scituate's upcoming Heritage Days weekend, he said they'd find someplace to keep me for another day. My new dock neighbor, Neal of "First Lady" out of Salem, took this photo of me just before I needed to move to another slip.  (Aug. 7, 2009)