Offshore

Friday night I had the opportunity to do some boating at the ever beautiful NH seacoast. For only having 18 miles of coastline, a lot of it is sure pretty. Seven of us left Rye Harbour on two boats, both about 20 feet long. The idea was to fish off-shore, maybe on the way to the Isle of Shoals. However, with rolling waves on the seas running 3 to 4 feet, and with word from other boats that the fish just weren't out there, our plans were quickly modified. After pounding some waves, we entered the coast-line again at Newcastle next to the Wentworth Marina. While the sailboats moored in the harbor were mostly within the realm of "I'd like to own that boat someday", the powerboats were in the realm of "I'd like to own the not-so-little boats hanging off the back of that big one over there". Motoring past the marina and out into the Piscataqua, the tides were somewhat slack and the bouy's were mostly upright. This bodes well for a trip upriver, in that you aren't fighting the current the whole way. We went past a few landmarks, the republican hangout at Geno's, Prescott park where a stage version of "Oliver" was taking place, the dock scene off Bow Street and the salt piles. As we approached the Great Bay, the sun was low on the horizon and provided some spectacular sunset opportunities. The tides and the river spun us around and we headed back, this time out the mouth of the Piscataqua. Rounding the point and heading back to the Rye Harbor, the seas were still riding high, and we had great fun smashing through the chop. Looking over at our other boat, it was often airborne, as I suspect we were. We reached Rye Harbor again, where everything is calm after you pass the breakwater.

As a side note, if you get a chance to miss going to Saunders at Rye Harbour, consider yourself lucky. The deck scene was empty, no entrees are served on the bar side of the deck, and the appetizers that are served there are undistinguished. The only highlight was talking the solo guitarist into playing Madona's "Borderline".