Sunday, September 26, 2010

Bob's Not So Silent Retreat





On the way back from dropping Mary off at the silent retreat I was listening to 50’s and 60’s Rock-n-Roll in the car, something Mary rarely likes to do. I spent a lot of time in the car listening to all sorts of music and checking out the central Connecticut coast areas. I visited the Submarine Museum and got to explore the Nautilus - the first nuclear powered sub and the first vessel to transit the Arctic Ocean under the North Pole in 1958.

Mystic Connecticut is a beautiful nautical city, and the residential areas surrounding the harbor and adjacent inlets are absolutely gorgeous. I went for a very nice sunset sail on “Argia”, an 81’ wooden schooner.

I also spent some quiet time reflecting on travel, homes, work, communicating and love.

Mary and I re-united on a beautiful warm Indian-summer day and headed to Mystic for a great belated anniversary dinner at S&P Oysters where we had a wonderful meal on the patio over looking the Mystic River draw-bridge.

We toured southern Rhode Island including the Newport mansions, Watch Hill and a Catholic retreat center on Enders Island. Rhode Island is the quintessential marine playground for the rich and envious. The summer “cottages” here dwarf the typical large McMansion. Not just large but beautifully classic sail and power boats meander around the open bays, sounds and protected inlets. The historic towns here have architectural character to match their stunning natural settings. Too bad winter can be so harsh in this area.

Mary and I also had the pleasure of meeting my cousin Bill for the first time. Although our dads were brothers, we had never met. It was nice to make that connection after all these years.

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