The bikes were perfect for riding all over Block Island. The original South-East Lighthouse was moved back several hundred feet in 1993 to prevent it from succumbing to erosion of the shoreline.
We met a very enterprising young gal selling lemonade along the way. She and her grandfather built this collapsing wheeled cart so she could easily carry it on the ferry when she comes to visit from her Connecticut home. It folds flat. We had much in common with her cart and our bikes, both compacting down to fit in a small space.
Riding took us the six miles from one end of Block Island to the other where we had a windy mile beach walk to the older North lighthouse on Block Island high on the sand dunes built in 1867.
With fog predicted to burn off we decided to depart Block Island and use the strong southwest winds to take us to the southern most of the Elizabeth Islands, Cuttyhunk. It was a good opportunity to test our new radar and our skills. Our VHF radio allowed us to set up an automatic sounding foghorn to bellow every two minutes using an extra speaker we brought along and put outside on the deck. This alerted other vessels to our presence even though they could not visually see us.
Cuttyhunk is described in the cruising guides as the destination good for doing nothing - just relax and fish. There are good trails to walk the little village and beaches. This little church with its door always open and the fish wind vane on the roof was very welcoming. It serves all denominations with services for each at different times and welcomes anyone anytime. Very functional part of their community - great idea of all working together!
We sailed on to anchor in Hadley Harbor which surrounds Bull Island not far from Woods Hole, Massachusetts. Everyone who comes to these islands uses a ferry, a small airplane or a private vessel like we did. The islands have been fun to explore.
