The week after Labor Day has become my favorite time to go cruising. School is back in session, crowds of tourists have all but returned home, but the weather-if you’re lucky-retains most of its summer warmth.
With a storm brewing to our west, blocking popular destinations like Block Island and Newport, Karen and I cruised east burning up some vacation time while discovering what else our new home state had to offer. From Clinton and Branford, to New Haven and Westbrook, we learned that Connecticut (a drive through or past state for many people) is filled with charming anchorages and cities on the rise.
I hope you enjoy some of the photos from our adventure, but more than that, I hope they inspire you find that new destination near you that might be hiding in plain sight.
Wherever we want to go, we go. That’s what a ship is, you know. It’s not just a keel and a hull and a deck and sails; that’s what a ship needs. But what a ship is, what it really is, is freedom. –Capt. Jack Sparrow
Kicking off a trip in style.
If you cruise down the coast, especially in the off season, you should seriously consider stopping in Clinton. And get the breakfast at the town marina!
Day one of my week without wearing shoes. Life is good.
Riding in style.
A brand new Krogen Express looking sharp in Clinton.
Summer, I miss you already.
The Thimble Islands: Small rocky islands near Branford,CT make you feel as if you’re cruising in Maine.
The hospitality at Brewer in Branford is world class.
The Lobster Shack: Far enough away from Brewers in Branford that you don’t feel guilty ordering a large lobster roll.
![Me: That's a good looking street name. Karen:That'll be my name soon too. Me: [Long Pause] Huh, that's true.](https://danielhardingjr.files.wordpress.com/2016/09/img_5219.jpg?w=202&resize=202%2C269&h=269#038;h=269 "img_5219")
Me: That’s a good looking street name. Karen:That’ll be my name soon too. Me: [Long Pause] Huh, that’s true.
A few hours down the coast is New Haven, an often overlooked cruising destination.
New Haven is home to Yale University, a campus with some pretty stunning architecture.
Doing tourist things.
Being a college town, there’s no shortage of popular bars.
Thinking deeply about things at Yale. Lunch. I was thinking about lunch.
35-knots winds had our boat bucking like a bronco all night. No sleep was had.
#summer
Cruising home is never as fun.
Just a short hop from our homeport, we found Westbrook (and the Brewer marina there) to be a gem hiding in plain sight.
The clubhouse for guests of the marina is downright impressive.
A dinghy ride to dinner on our final night. Does it getter than this?
Like this:
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Boy and a Boat 
Nope. The answer to your ending question is nope. It doesn’t get any better than this, no matter where you are in the world. And the one lumpy night just makes you appreciate all the quiet ones. Yet another pleasant journey with captain and mate aboard the Good Ship Karen Marie. caswell
Thanks, as always, for following along! I think you’re right.
You should have said Hi to John & Sarah at the Brewers in Stratford! Looks like you had a great trip! We love the blog, it’s like we’re taking the trip with you, since we haven’t been able to get on the water. Hopefully we can get to meet up next summer!
Thanks, Lisa! A trip to Stratford is definitely on the to-do list. As is a Harding/McGrath trip to Block; it’s been too long.
Dan,
I have really been enjoying your Blog. Keep up the good work.
Thanks, Ed! I appreciate you taking the time to read it. I hope you’re doing well.
This makes me smile 🙂
And miss summer already!
Thanks for reading it, JB! I’m still firmly in the denial stage about summer.
As usual, I enjoy accompanying you and Karen on your sailing excursions! Your stories, along with your fabulous photos, makes it seem that I was on your sailboat, too! I look forward to future sailings.
We very much appreciate you following along! Thanks, Pat.
GREAT PICTURES..LOOKS LIKE YOU HAD A GOOD VACATION.
On Thu, Sep 29, 2016 at 9:08 PM, A SAILING STORY wrote:
> danharding824 posted: “The week after Labor Day has become my favorite > time to go cruising. School is back in session, crowds of tourists have all > but returned home, but the weather-if you’re lucky-retains most of its > summer warmth. With a storm brewing to our west, blocking p” >
Thanks, Grandma! I’m definitely ready to go back.