May 23rd: Having launched Orion only two days before, I set sail with Chris Albert (#2714 FLOTSAM) on a three-day trip to various places around Shelter Island.

After motoring across Long Island Sound, we stopped at Orient Point for lunch before sailing down Gardiner's Bay to Hog Creek and Threemile Harbor.

We then sailed to Coecles Harbor, Shelter Island. We motored over and tied up at a floating dock to briefly check out Taylor's Island.

The next day, we sailed to Sag Harbor and explored the town before motoring around Shelter Island to Mitchell Park Marina in Greenport. Check out the Google Photo Album of this trip.

May 31st: I had a great sail up the Niantic River to check out some boats that now have new moorings in the mooring field.

I hooked onto a mooring, put up the awning (still wet from the Greenport trip), read part of a book, took a short nap, and sailed home. A perfect afternoon!

On the second day, we sailed up the river and motored through Selden Creek. It was like being in tropical everglades!

June 26-28: I sailed with my wife Liz and some friends up the Connecticut River to Essex for a three-day trip.

We beached at one of the four campsites on Selden Island to look around before heading back to Brewer Dauntless Marina in Essex.

Although I had rented a mooring, they kindly let me stay the second night at an empty floating dock! Check out more photos here.

July 12th: Met up with fellow Fleet members Dan Meaney (#2024 CLEW SEA NUF) and Chris Albert (#2714 FLOTSAM) for an afternoon sail in Niantic Bay.

After only a short while, Chris's mainsheet block separated from the centerboard trunk, so he turned for home to have it repaired.

Dan and I continued on to the Niantic Bay Yacht Club where we tied up, went ashore and grabbed a quick bite to eat from their in-house Galley.

After sailing around a bit more, I headed back home, but Dan stayed out in the Bay and enjoyed the fine weather. It was a great afternoon!

July 24th: Liz, Harrison and I trailered Orion and an old yet trusty SportYak dinghy to Maine. After several mishaps, we managed to launch at Southwest Harbor.

We sailed up Somes Sound to get to the harbor in Somesville. What an absolutely beautiful place.

We anchored for the week, using a nearby dinghy dock to get us on and off Mount Desert Island, and a free shuttle allowed exploration of the area.

We all had a fantastic time, and Harrison loved every minute of it. Check out more photos in the Google Photos album.

August 5th: Ten O'Day Mariners and 18 sailors gathered at the Niantic River launch ramp for another Rendezvous to Mystic Seaport.

Our floating docks were waiting for us, and we all were able to fit together. The floaters make life so much easier than fixed docks for small boats like ours!

We gathered for a group shot before heading off to dinner on Saturday. There was plenty to see and do in the Seaport and downtown.

Great winds greeted us in Fisher's Island Sound, and we had a lively sail home. For more pictures, see the Google Photo Album of this trip.