Port Jefferson Harbor

We arrived yesterday afternoon in Port Jefferson Harbor around 2 p.m. We decided to anchor because the mooring balls near the town of Port Jefferson at the southern end of the harbor were exposed to the strong northwest wind, which was still blowing at 20 knots; cost an exhorbitant $60; and were affected by wakes from the constant ferry traffic. Inside the western bay of the harbor, we anchored near undeveloped vegetated dunes and beaches.

After lunch, we put the dinghy in the water. Rob and Susan were going to have the first go but decided the wind was too strong. So, after getting a load of laundry pinned to the life lines and another load started in the washing machine, Peter and I paddled the short distance to the shore, gliding through the grasses and reeds lining the shore to beach our craft. It was so windy that I didn't take my flipflops with me, afraid they would fly away. Luckily, the beach and the water by the shore have fine sand sprinkled with beautiful polished stones. We walked west until we ran out of beach. Some of time I waded in the warm, crystal clear water. Then we returned to our kayak and paddled along the shore before returning to Mantra. We could hear birds, but we only sighted, in the air and on the beach willets; they have striking white and black markings on their wings that are exposed when they are in flight.

Mantra from shore

This vegetation is under water

Peter looking at polished stones

The clear water by the shore

In the dinghy, the four of us went to the public dock of East Setauket to look for a place for dinner. On the way to the center of town, we passed lovely homes, some over 200 years old, including a wooden structure constructed in 1789. On the main street, we passed up the Se-Port Deli and chose the ramshackle Country Corner Tavern. A sign outside said that in addition to live music, there was outdoor seating but we couldn't see it (I found it later; go out the back door, turn right, pass two dumpsters and there it is!) so we opted for a table by the front window in a corner of the bar area. Most of the locals were seated on barstools surrounding the large square polished wood bar. The walls were decorated metal and neon signs for various brands of beer and liquor. 

Deer are bright green lawn 

We were pleasantly surprised at the quality of the food. As we began our meal, a young, nerdish looking man arrived on the stage in front of us and started to set up sound equipment. There were no instruments or musicians to be seen, just a sound board and laptops. It was karaoke night! We ate slowly to see how that would be. Serendipitously, we had chosen another great venue. The DJ started out with the first song to get the crowd warmed up. The next number was sung by a local woman who had a lot of style on stage. We decided that these people would never see us again, so we gave it a whirl. I convinced Peter to do "California Dreamin'" with me and then Sonny and Cher's "I've Got You, Babe." I sang a duet with a local woman, Leslie Gore's "You Don't Own Me." Susan and Rob did a duet, singing "American Pie." A few other people volunteered. I did a solo of Janice Ian's "Society's Child." Rob and Peter had another drink. Finally, around 10 p.m., we decided to leave. As Rob and Peter were taking turns in the restroom, I suddenly decided to do one more number, rushing to the stage to sing Jefferson Airplane's "White Rabbit." The young woman with the most talent got excited when she heard the opening notes, and I motioned for her to join me. If I do say so myself, we did an excellent job!

Rob and Susan performing "American Pie"

Outside, the wind had abated and shifted to the east, so we did not have a wet dinghy ride back to the boat. Later this morning we cross the sound to Connecticut and then make our way east along that shore.