July 23, New London, CT.

We woke up in Essex this morning to rain showers and set out for the 20 mile run to New London. Sky is overcast and the rain showers come and go. Seas in the Long Island Sound are higher than we expected (about 3-4 feet) and we have a rough ride to the Thames River and the New London Harbor. (This area must have been settled by Londoners.)

Lighthouse as we enter the Thames River

Wind is blowing about 20 mph as we dock and it takes us a few minutes to get it right. Irv and Betty Skeoch, neighbors from our California days, are joining us today in New London.



We tour the US Naval Submarine Museum in Groton, Ct, and go aboard the first nuclear submarine "Nautilus" built in the 1950's, now a permanent exhibit. Another maritime museum. Nautilus was definitely worth the visit.

We went to dinner at the Lighthouse Inn, built in 1902 as the home of steel magnate Charles Guthrie. Home has a great view if LI Sound and was designed by William Emerson of Boston and the extensive gardens were designed by Frederick Law Olmsted. It began operating as a hotel in 1927 and is a member of the Historic Hotels of America. Also definitely worth a visit.

Next morning we motor upriver past New London to see the sights.