August 7 -- On Shelter Island -- Coecles to Dering

We knew that we had to leave the northern part of Coecles Harbor that is trapped behind the five foot spot today or we would be trapped behind it until tomorrow afternoon, when the tide would have permitted us to exit. And we had a long sail planned for tomorrow and wanted an early departure. We discussed both (a) going only about one mile and getting a free mooring from the Rams Head Inn, located inside Coecles Harbor but south of the five foot barrier (free with dinner at the Inn) and (b) going ten miles counterclockwise around Shelter Island to the Shelter Island YC in Dering Harbor. Option B was Huck's idea and a good one with good strong winds to make a nice sail of it.
But in the morning we used the Boatyard's free shuttle service to get to the North Ferry, which we took from Dering Harbor on Shelter Island to Greenport on Long Island's North Fork.

There we walked around, shopped (a fifty cent book and a $2 tea kettle), talked, had coffee and then came back to Shelter Island. On the way, we met a sailor from Jersey City with a car and a dog who drove us to the IGA. After shopping, the Boatyard's shuttle brought us back to the Boatyard. Miraval left but we hung around waiting for the tide to rise and raised the dink.
It was a great sail. We did not raise sails until through the channel, out in the sea, and Lene had the helm most all the way. Heading north on a beam port reach, with main and small jib, our speed varied between 7.5 and 8.5 knots. Music greeted my ears; Lene said: "This is fun!" Once north we had to bend west to get to Deering Harbor, home of the Shelter Island YC. And as we turned west and got close hauled the wind shifted a bit SW (possibly bent by the island and its channel?) and we were able to maintain our port tack until off the entrance to the Harbor.
Our mooring was two boats away from Miraval who invited us over for wine etc. before dinner in the Club's dining room. Collared shirts and no denim were the only dress requirements. After dinner and before showering we said our farewells with Huck and Cindi. As planned, this night was our last of our participating in the "Club Cruise" portion of our six week Rhode Island cruise. A storm was brewing and lightning, but not thunder, heralded its imminent arrival. Lene says it was severe with thunder, heavy rain and strong wind. I have to take her word for it though, because I slept right through it.