Travels of The Rose: July 2010

We don’t have a “Bucket List”, but there is a list of things we want to accomplish. Being on The Rose in Bristol for the 4th of July is certainly near the top of the, ”to-do” list for both of us. Fortunately, the weather was looking good and the calendar was clear. A couple of minor issues were tended to before departure, and early Thursday morning we departed the marina and made for Bristol Harbor. Yes, we were deliberately early for the start of the holiday week. Bristol is an attractive destination and even more so around the 4th of July.

Typically, grabbing a mooring ball is not complicated assuming the winds are cooperating. This day though was a little tricky. The Rose displaces 46,000 lbs. so we don’t select just any mooring but would rather be assigned by the person in charge. We know from research that there are a couple of moorings in the harbor heavy enough to handle our weight but we don’t see a painter, (line) to grab with a boat hook. As usual, Connie is at the helm with me on the bow handling the hook-up. After circling the mooring a few times Connie maneuvers us so that the ball passes along the starboard side and now I’m waiting on the swim platform with the boat hook. Still no line and we’re getting a little frustrated. The alternative…..just throw a line around the ball so that it encircles the chain that attaches the ball to the weight on the bottom. Finally, after numerous passes we are secure off the stern vs. the bow. I climb into the dinghy and swing by a nearby trawler to ask him what mooring he’s on? I don’t know he says but claims he did pay…..? Yeah right!

I cruise into shore and locate the Harbormaster where it is decided that we can tie up to the wave attenuator (dock) for the 5 days we’ll be in town rather than hang on a mooring. The trawler that claimed he didn’t know which mooring he was on? He can be seen cruising out of the harbor now that someone discovered that he was freeloading. In the midst of all this maneuvering, my Cousin Kenny and his son stop by in their boat enroute to checking his traps. We have a brief discussion about our plans and he offers the use of parking at his wife’s nearby shop for overnight stays. We had dropped our car off at the Elks Club a day previous so that we could make a wedding and visit with family in town. Now we’re all set, parking for both day and evening, and a spot for The Rose.

Bristol does not disappoint us; we attend concerts, visit with family and have lunch with friends. It was a whirlwind of activity for 5 days-4 nights and we fall asleep instantly at the end of each day. I am a long time member of the local Elk’s Club on the waterfront and it quickly becomes a nightly stop for a “quick one” (or two) before turning in. I feel like I never left town, and high school classmates are quick to lend a hand, enjoy a lunch, share a drink and show up at concerts.

We have family visit the boat and the weather is cool and comfortable for most of our stay.

One of the highlights though is having the three oldest of our four grandchildren spend Sunday night on board to enjoy a concert right on the waterfront, the fireworks over the harbor and then watching the oldest continuous parade in the country on Monday. It is a tradition that we have been able to enjoy and now pass on to the next generation thanks to the hospitality of family who graciously made room for us on the route and made sure we were included in the pre and post parade festivities.

As an aside, about a month ago I received an email from an Editor at Motor Boating Magazine asking if they could feature our blog in their electronic edition. Sure I said and as requested did an intro that they could use. They did a cut and paste of a picture from the blog for their use. Below is the intro, but if you go to Motor Boating magazine and enter The Rose into the search box the article will come up.

Paul and Connie Murgo purchased their first-ever trawler, a Great Harbour 37 they call The Rose, in 2004. Since then, the pair have gained their sea legs and made five round trips between Marathon, Florida, the Abacos and Narragansett Bay, Rhode Island, accumulating about 2,800 hours on its trusty engines.

Enjoy the pictures as we enjoyed our stay in one of the prettiest harbors on the East Coast.

Paul & Connie

m/v The Rose, GH37

lying Brewer’s GB North

Warwick, RI

The kids enjoying the concert