Weekend in Provincetown

We decided to take a three day weekend in Provincetown. Setting out on Friday July 16th 2010 at 8am we arrived in Provincetown at 5pm. We moored at buoy #701 in Provincetown Marina. Saturday was a day for relaxation and seeing the town. As we returned to Prairie Gold on a launch we were told that this boat was purchased for $1. Apparently inside the boat is a full fireplace!
Looking back at the marinaThe mooring field

Sailing back from P-town was enjoyable for the first couple of hours but then the winds dropped to 2-4knots. With about 5knots of wind we were diligently attempting to get every 1/10th of a knot out of Prairie Gold when we turned to see a sailboat bearing down on us. Most disheartening until we could hear that they were motorsailing.

The sailboat is Vanish, which had moored near to us in P-town. A google search shows that this 50nm trip was a small trip for this boat.

As we closed in on Boston the winds came up to 25kts apparent and beautiful sailing. Here is the NE Graves lighthouse taken as we were entering the North channel to the outer harbor.

Once in the harbor we brought in the sails and motored and enjoyed the sight of this sailboat.

Finally, we passed the Nantucket light house boat, which is docked in Boston harbor and can be seen in the background of this picture (taken earlier in the week). Another boat recently purchased for $1.

July 4th Weekend – The USS Constitution

Prairie Gold is docked in the Constitution Marina immediately adjacent to the USS Constitution. On July 4^th each year the USS Constitution is taken out for a spin in Boston Harbor where she delivers 21 canon salutes. We sailed out in advance of the USS Constitution to Castle Island where we anxiously awaited her arrival. She was led out by a fireboat, with hoses in full action.

When she arrived at Castle Island she turned to face the island and started her salute. This was an incredible event – canons were loud – and we were lucky to be able to get so close. We kept our asymmetric spinnaker in her bag while in the harbor (if you have seen earlier blog entries you will understand why). Of note, when she was taken back into dock in Charlestown, the USS Constitution was turned around so that over time each side of the boat gets the same exposure and wear and tear.

In the evening we sat on Prairie Gold in the marina where we were able to watch the North End July 4th firework display.