CT River Pontoon Boat Cruise
Dan Nocera, an instructor at Middlesex Community College, offered up a 3 hour cruise on the CT River with him and his boat-buddy Jeff Cohen as an item for the college's silent auction fundraiser. Max bid and won, and their pontoon party boat had room for 3 couples, so... On a beautiful Fall day with perfect weather, Max, Dave, Jon Swift, Anne Cassady, Billy Laughlin, and Becky Laughlin set sail.... Well, not "sail" exactly, but more like cruised and partied out of Portland for a great afternoon on the water.
 1 Happy cruisers checking in for our 3 hour tour.... 3 hour tour.... |
 2 Jon photo-bombs as Becky and Annie try to say hello |
 3 Beautiful fall day to catch some rays on Dan Nocera's pontoon boat - Max and Annie |
 4 Once we cast off, Dan Nocera breaks out the award winning (seriously!) homemade petite sirah and a bottle of prosecco. |
 5 Annie, Bill, and Jon enjoying the appetizers |
 6 The whole crew- Jone, Annie, Bill, Becky, Max, and Dave |
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 9 Jeff Cohen, an NPR broadcaster, is a friend of Dan's and a partner in owning the boat |
 10 We are all marveling at the beautiful day, and the fact that hardly anyone else is out on the river |
 11 We cruised slowly south from Portland for about 1-1/2 hours to Higganum and then turned around. The goal was to get back to the marina around sunset, a little before 7pm this time of year. |
 12 Heading north towards the Arrigoni bridge between Middletown and Portland. The rotating railroad bridge in front is open for boat traffic. |
 13 Passing by the railroad bridge |
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 15 Sure looks like the pilings have taken a few hits over the years |
 16 The center span of the Arrigoni |
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 18 Sun is starting to go down and so are the temps as we make a final run back to the marina |
 19 Time for the polartecs and the long sleeve shirts |
 20 Marina ho! |
 21 Docked, we bid our hosts farewell and thank you for a wonderful afternoon out on the river |
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