Monday, August 5 and what fun cruising destinations have we entered in our log? Ah, none. OK maybe one if you count stopping at Dutch Harbor and Jamestown on our way to Barrington, RI. Determined to salvage our remaining time before heading south, perhaps in September this year, Russ said, “we’re going somewhere for a few days.” Block? No, too far. Greenport/Shelter Island? Almost won out but the mooring fee in Derring Harbor was $60, so that left Sag Harbor; not too hard to take. We could anchor outside the breakwater in good holding sand; the weather promised perfection for our visit. But could those big white hankies be of any use? Wind at our stern; check. True wind speed 10-15; check. Waves 1-2 ft; check. No problem with that, right? None, except that the wind was exactly smack dead behind us so motor-sailing with the boom complaining was the mode until we’d passed thru Plum Gut into Gardiner’s Bay. There, after avoiding the Orient Point ferries, our course across the Bay toward Sag would allow those Yanmars to go silent. The apparent wind was ideal, the Bay mere wavelets and for a while we had all three sails in action screaming along at 8kts.

Sag Harbor last had the pleasure of a Rackliffe visit in 2007 shortly before we sold our Sea Ray 320. Much was unchanged, but our favorite ice cream shop had closed. Main St was busy for a Tuesday but not crowded. Staying in “tradition” mode we enjoyed lunch outside under the umbrellas at Dockside across from the town docks and park. I was delighted to find crab stuffed squash blossoms on the menu; I just love these babies.

Swordfish wrap and crabmeat stuffed squash blossoms- yum!

Years ago (as in 40 plus), according to the Captain’s memory, very few if any boats would anchor outside the breakwater. Over the years private moorings have popped up filling the space inside the breakwater and some outside it as well. Still plenty of room for mega yachts, mega sailing cats and the rest of us wee folk. Not to mention a few zip-about boats.

The BIG cat dwarfs the rest of us

Surrounded by fun filled boat wakes

The annual Fireman’s Carnival began Tuesday night- yippee! Fried dough!  Except not here 😦  Zeppoles, fried Oreos and funnel cakes only. We opted for the filling but very unhealthy bag of 6 zeppoles – $5! Guess we are not only in the Hamptons, but a bit out of touch with carnival prices these days.  A ride bracelet cost $30 and more on the weekend.  The carnival was set up on Haven’s Beach, two stone throws away from us. Years ago when we’d take our boat to Sag, our son being quite young then, we’d walk the mile from the town docks to Haven’s Beach.  “Uppy Daddy”, he would request when the walking was too unbearable for such a small person.

Sag Harbor Firemans’ Carnival ready to go

Russ’s family would venture out nearly every summer weekend; a destination off Gardiners Bay the usual choice. This could mean Coecles Harbor (with a plethora of jellies) or Sammy’s Beach (lots of clams) with an occasional treat visit to Sag Harbor or Greenport thrown in. M/V Omar K, a 30’ Elco served the family well and provided endless opportunity to hone those bottom sanding and painting skills as well as engine trouble diagnosis and repair.

A very young Russ working on the stern of the Elco

Russ and Jack owned numerous runabouts; what a classic way to have fun. Then Jack went over to the dark side and became a sailor while Russ stayed true to the family regime of power craft. Did I say “dark side”? No. That side isn’t darker just more difficult, resulting in a greater sense of satisfaction.

The lovely basket of flowers given by Russ’s cousins, aunt and uncle came along with us to the Copper Beech and not wishing for its early demise, we brought it back aboard with us. We re-purposed it as a memory as if the flowers were ashes and scattered them along the way from Sag Harbor back to CT.

Scattered flowers for Dad Rackliffe- float on.

Thank goodness it wasn’t beets we had to embrace. Lobster is easy. My father-in-law enjoyed his lobster- whole, as a hot lobster roll or as lobster chowder. Beginning in the early ’90s Jack and Kerry would make their annual pilgrimage east and some form of lobster was always on the menu. On the nights we weren’t gathered around the big table in the Comstock Room at the Copper Beech, we’d be at Chris and David’s or our home for dinners, often finding a way to eat lobster for lunch. Working would get in the way during these visits, but no longer. When we look around, the only one not still in school gainfully employed is Matt! In more recent years Lenny and Joe’s and Lobster Landing would call out and we’d all come running.

With the Copper Beech checked off the list, we lunched at Lobster Landing (see this 2011 post for J&K and Lobster Landing info) and Lenny and Joe’s with dinner aboard Ortolan one night and the final grill bash at David’s on Sunday. David wowed us with superb Manhattans; our taste buds giving thumbs up over the Copper Beech version. Libations and lobster- sounds like we embrace both equally.

Kerry schmoozes with the owner of Lobster Landing.

Far and wide- this is the place for the perfect hot lobster roll

Lobster roll love.

Parting is such sweet sorrow. Each year when we bid a sad good-bye to Jack and Kerry, we knew they’d be back in a year. This year, we learned, they would not be coming east. Kerry’s knee surgery and other matters would keep them in CA, aboard lovely s/v Mamouna. Let’s see, another cliché is that every cloud has a silver lining.  Looks like Dad Rackliffe wasn’t too pleased to hear they wouldn’t be coming; he had other ideas on that. Kinda eerie how that played out.

Where we will each be next summer? They will remain California Rackliffes and we will stay East Coast Rackliffes if you believe the party lines. Favorable graduation winds are due in May, presenting a happy occasion reason to climb on a plane. Time will tell.