Essex to Mystic

We left Nott Island heading downstream on the Connecticut River back to the Sound bound for the Mystic Seaport Museum which will be our home port while Carla's daughter, Ann and her two boys join us for a week's vacation.


Entering the Mystic River is truly picturesque as many of the homes were either built in the 19th Century or constructed in styles reflecting that period. The Morgan Point Light stands watch over the mouth of the Mystic and Mouse Island. The lighthouse is quite substantial and serves as the focal point for boats entering the river's twisting channel. Mouse Island is nothing more than a barren rock slightly larger than a football field. However, several small, quaint houses lie perched upon this solid granite out cropping. There was so much to take in and admire upon first entering the harbor that we briefly found ourselves taking Mouse Island on our starboard rather than port side. We would have soon gone aground or worse yet holed the boat had we not quickly realized our mistake and reversed course until we got back into the main channel.

Morgan Point Light - Mystic Harbor

Hundreds of boats were moored or in slips at one of the many marinas lining the river all the way up to the Mystic Seaport Museum. Two bridges had to be negotiated. The first was the Amtrak Swing Bridge and the second the Mystic Highway Drawbridge. The railroad bridge is always open unless a train is soon to arrive. The Drawbridge is the main street through Mystic and only opens once per hour at 40 minutes past the hour. If you miss the opening, you have to wait almost an hour until the next one which can really be frustrating.

Getting into our slip was a bit challenging due to the wind and current. The dock hands were terrific and we eventually got the fenderboard and fenders in place to protect the boat from the pilings and dock. We were bow in which meant we had to climb over our lifelines to go ashore since the pier was half as long as our boat. It was a bit awkward at first but got easier once we figured out what worked best depending upon the tide which ranged a little over 3 feet. It was a good night to be in a slip as the winds were quite strong. It was one of those nights you prefer not to be at anchor.