People, Places: Raison d’être

A Perfect New England Weekend

On a bitterly cold winter day when you are digging your car out of three feet of snow and ice, it is easy to forget why you live in New England. The sky is often gray, sunset is around 4 p.m, and the wind is so cold and fierce you get brain freeze just from walking  to your car. Even skiing isn’t a  justifiable reason when you can fly out West to a resort.

Much like the agony of childbirth, these painful memories are erased when the sun emerges.  While I’ve enjoyed summer, I have to admit this past weekend was a great reminder of why I love living in Boston.

I drove to Newport, Rhode Island on Friday afternoon. Undeterred by the traffic on 93 South, I completed the drive in less than two hours.  My original plan was to walk the cliff walk, but I forgot to bring my sneakers, so I executed Plan B. I made my way to Ocean Drive and found a peaceful place to sit near Brenton Point.   The sun was bright and the air was hot as I watched mega yachts sailing along the horizon.  I meandered back  to Gooseberry Beach for better access to the water, so that I could cool off.  No visit to Newport is complete without a visit to Ocean Drive or the Cliff Walk. Few towns on the East Coast offer such a view .

In the evening, I attended a private cocktail reception at the Newport Shipyard to kickoff the Bucket race.  The Bucket race involves mega yachts, so you meet people from around the world, and it’s a great opportunity to view beautiful boats including Athena which is the largest private sailing yacht.  I was just about speechless as I stood below it. It’s an unbelievable boat.  My friend Cory Silken is a photographer who specializes in nautical images. Check out the photos on his website to see what I’m talking about.

I did not participate in the Bucket race, but I was in town to crew Firefly in the Doc Cuddy Regatta in Bristol, Rhode Island.  Why race on a mega yacht when you can race on a classic yacht?  It’s my second season racing on Firefly, and I have to admit this was our most exciting race so far. We came in second place on Sunday missing the first place slot by about three seconds!

After the race in Bristol, we sailed Firefly back to Newport. It was a beautiful day to be on the water. The photo to the right is a port side view.

Upon arrival in Newport, I dashed off to Wellfleet to visit friends vacationing on the Cape.  Text messages indicated a feast underway, and my presence was kindly requested. My friends prepared the best surf & turf I’ve had in a long time. The steak was juicy, and the  freshly steamed lobster barely fit on my plate. Its claws were about the size as my hands! Oh, and the butter!!  My friend added a variety of herbs to it for an extra kick.  Delicious!  Once again, great food, wine and thoughtful, generous friends that make life memorable.

Oh, but wait, there is more!  Wellfleet is a lovely area on the Cape.  I actually had not been that far north past Chatham in about 5 years.  What a mistake. It’s a beautiful area and seemingly less developed.  The house my friends rented has a 180 degree view of a pond which I could see from my bedroom.  I was awaken by a beautiful sunrise which I normally avoid with room darkening shades.

A short walk from the house was a stunning  private beach.  I was the only person there for hours.  It was absolutely peaceful except for the occasional attach of biting green flies. 🙂  I can’t believe how lucky I am to live two hours away from such a beautiful, calming place.

Before I made the drive back to Boston, we stopped at a local clam shack for, well, what else- Wellfleet clams and scallops!  Perfection.

It was a perfect way to enjoy a summer weekend in New England.  I’ll have to remember this next January.

July 21, 2009 - Posted by aburnis | sailing | Cape Cod, Cory Silken, Newport, Ocean Drive, sailing, Summer in New England, Wellfleet