Years ago we stopped at Westbrook CT and met a very nice couple on the dock. We shared pleasant conversation over a cold drink in the cockpit then decided to continue over dinner. My wife and I have frequented Bill's seafood many times by car -- it's worth the detour off I-95 and it's located next to the "singing bridge" (metal grate) that spans the tidal marsh canal, so we decided to take our dinghies up the river to the restaurant. It's a very casual place. The dock is located just below the deck where dinner is served on paper plates outdoors on picnic tables, and as usual parents allow kids to throw fries and crackers to the gulls and ducks below. You know where this story is going, right?

When we returned to our dinghy it was COVERED with droppings. We did our best to clean it with napkins and rinsing with a drinking cup, then later stopped at the Brewers marina dock to clean it properly. Never again will I position a boat where people feed birds!