Essex to Montauk

We departed Essex Island Marina mid-day on Sunday and headed down the Connecticut River toward Long Island Sound. It was a bright sunny day with a steady breeze out of the NE. I still haven't gotten use to the way other boaters on this river seem to ignore each others presence, no regard for wakes, passing or overtaking. It is a "every man for himself" attitude with boats going every which way and makes what could be an easy relaxing ride rather stressful. I was glad to finally exit the Saybrook Point jetty and into the open Sound.

While the tide was with us as we crossed, the wind was against us which always makes for confused seas. Not really all that bad, just choppy. Interestingly enough, as we rounded the corner on the north fork of Long Island and into more open water, things calmed down and the balance of the ride was with gentle 2 foot rollers.

We arrived in the busy Montauk harbor in the early afternoon, docked the boat without issue (in a very narrow slip I might add) and settled in for the day. As you might imagine being this close to the open ocean, the marina is filled with all manner of sport fishing boats, charters and large yachts. Montauk Yacht Club is both a marina and resort hotel in the Hamptons so it is summer in full swing.

This morning we poked around the little town of Montauk and then headed out to the Montauk Lighthouse at the very end of Long Island. It is quite a sight and is rich with history, lore and myth. Commissioned by George Washington in 1792, it is the oldest lighthouse in New York and the fourth oldest in the United States. And yes, I walked the 137 steps up the spiral staircase to the top. Quite a view!