Friday, September 30, 2011

Old Harbor


Sometime around Labor Day the light begins to noticeably change. It's subtle at first; only recognizable in the hours surrounding dawn and dusk. By the middle of September, however, it becomes obvious even to those not paying attention. Gone is the haze, the glare, the short shadows, and the long summer days.

Block Island in the summer sometimes feels like a spring break inspired theme park for the middle-aged. Old Harbor, with its ferry-terminal, and tipsy balance of Victorian architecture, bars and moped rentals grows too crowded, expensive, and commercialized. The views can be spectacular here, but they often go unnoticed as you weave your way between the taxicabs and foot traffic along Water Street.

In September, the tempo around Old Harbor begins to change. The ferries still run regularly, but the traffic, while steady, is no longer overwhelming. The carnival atmosphere gives way to a working waterfront which reappears from the shadows of waffle cones and Bacardi umbrellas.

Old Harbor once had a sizable commercial fleet, but the Great Depression, combined with the Hurricane of '38 provided a knockout blow. Now, the logistics of an island fishing industry are no longer economically feasible on a large scale. Seafood not sold to local restaurants and inns, needs to be transported again to distribution centers on the mainland. Today the fleet is more modest and specialized.

As the crowds thin however, the island's past image as an outpost in the Atlantic comes back into view. Commercial boats chased away by the limited summer space, will once again use the docks as a convenient layover port. Transoms which read Point Judith, Montauk, and Stonington lie berthed alongside the native fleet.

The light is different this time of year, the boats in the harbor are different too.


Boating Local: Destination Block Island
Providence Journal: Saving Block Island
Boating Local: Old Harbor Bulkhead Repair
Providence Library: Old Harbor Fleet 1930's
Soundbounder: Block Island North Light
Map

15 comments:

Steve Gravano said...

A few years back, my wife and I spent a few days on Block Island. It was for our anniversary at the end of September, just about this time. It was beautiful. We were the only folks staying at our hotel on the first night. On the second night, a bicycle club riding from Long Island to Rhode Island filled the place. I would recommend the off season, there were only two restaurants closed otherwise everything was great just lest crowded.

Bursledon Blogger said...

"A spring break inspired theme park for the middle-aged" pretty much sums up some of our favourite places - but then again I'm middle aged!!! :o)

We just had a week in Fowey, out of season but only just, all the places were open, the weather was great and the crowds were gone - you're right on the money the best time to visit.

Unknown said...

Sounds like I'd rather be there off-season! (no matter what age, smile)

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i like it

Ajlounyinjurylaw said...

Pretty interesting history there.

icedgurl said...

trekking your amazing photos!!! hope you can inspire more people like me! keep it up!
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bohol said...

An old harbor like this produces nostalgia in my mind.

Anonymous said...

Matt:

Where are you? Getting a little worried you haven't posted in quite a while. Hope you are OK. Your readers miss you.

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bella said...

nice site....

Annie said...
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estherisla said...

Thanks for this lovely little snippet. I will go back there one day. And not until mid-September.

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