ON THE ROAD: Leg Three - Blackhawk Bound, No Dunkin, All the Fish (and a Few Cheeseburgers)
Some days start slow. This wasn’t one of them.
Dock time was 6:00 AM sharp, which meant we were up before the birds, packing snacks in the dark and whispering so we wouldn’t wake the Shibas. Monty and Gadget stayed behind at the camper with the nanny cam on patrol and the AC running—very cozy, very betrayed.
We headed for Niantic, CT in full fishing mode. No Dunkin’, because someone (cough….cough….) hit snooze too many times. A bold move, considering the hour. We powered through, caffeine-free and fueled by sheer ambition (and maybe some granola bars).
The Blackhawk was already buzzing when we arrived. Captain Greg was at the helm, steady and smiling, with the kind of calm energy that says, “We’ve got this.” And he did.
We pushed off just as the sun was stretching over the horizon and made our way toward Orient Point, Long Island. Weather? A+ day. Mid-70s, light breeze, picture-perfect sun. The kind of morning that makes you forget alarms even exist.
And the fishing? Let’s just say it was a good haul. Fourteen fish between the five of us, mostly porgies, with a few wildcards—including a puffer fish and a sea robin. We didn’t keep those, but they were cool to see up close. Lines in the water, sunscreen on everything, and laughter echoing off the rails. The Blackhawk crew was amazing—family-friendly, laid-back, and super helpful whether you were a first-timer or self-declared expert.
Highlight of the day? Captain Greg let Tim’s nephew tour the bridge. Full VIP experience—he got to pick up the PA system and cheer on the other anglers, complete with a few of the captain’s famous taglines, including some enthusiastic rib-rubbing commentary. It was pure gold and completely made his day (and honestly, ours too).
By the time we rolled back into camp, sun-drenched and salty, we were wiped. Dinner plans shifted from fish tacos (still happening, just… not tonight) to classic campground cheeseburgers and chips. Fast, satisfying, and approved by every member of the crew—including Monty and Gadget, who scored a bite from Tim when no one was looking.
The evening was anything but slow. After dinner came hillside slide races, followed by a few high-speed bike chases around the loop. There’s no real way to keep up with a 7-year-old on a sugar high—especially when Uncle Tim may or may not have slipped him a few sweet treats—but Tim gave it his all. (He’ll be sleeping like a rock!)
What made the day even more special? Spending it with family we only get to see a couple of times a year. With nearly a thousand miles between us, these moments matter—laughs, stories, and a kind of connection you just can’t replicate over FaceTime.
As the fire burned low and the night settled in, Tim’s nephew climbed into his lap and promptly fell asleep—worn out from a full day of fishing, racing, and candy-fueled chaos. The best kind of tired.
Tomorrow, we’re sleeping in—no early alarms, just rest before the final push to Rich’s Retreat.
Until then—
Tim, Kristen, Monty & Gadget 🐾🐾
P.S. Fish taco night is coming. Or as we now call it, "Tomorrow’s delicious reward for today’s chaos, minus the puffer—but definitely earned."
https://blackhawksportfishing.com
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