The Beginning of the Chesapeake

We spent a day in the Bohemia Rivera and took a ride in our dingy to get rid of our garbage and see if the had a store.  It was a two and half mile ride to a marina.  We tied up and looked but no one was around or in the office. It was decided that I decided that I would stay with the dingy and the boys would walk into town (it was also decided that I would throw the garbage in the dumpster) Both things decided by the boys. A marina worker arrived by car and I won't soon forget her. She was very pleasant and we talked about the summer soon coming to an end. Debbie's husband is crabber by trade, he had back surgery this summer and didn't work this season at all. She said it didn't matter much because crabbing was terrible this year and there wasn't much to be had. The local distributor was having to get them from North Carolina. As we continued to talk, she also told me that the marina she worked for would be closed for good October 31 and she would be without a job.  Again it's remarkable how extremely blessed we are to be having and taking this opportunity to see the beautiful east coast. I won't forget Debbie or her husband and I won't take any of this for granted.  Debbie was gracious and said of course we could leave our garbage and she wished us well with a smile. 

Friday we left the Bohemia River and headed to Rock Hall, MD. It was a place Jon had found that offered free dock and electric(this would satisfy one of Aaron's wishes-- the other of course is wifi. After 30 miles of motoring we found our way in to a long town dock that was empty. Good luck for us. Rock Hall is an oyster town, which made clear by the statue on the dock and the $1.00 tram driver that took us to town and have us local history   It was a good stop. We were able to do laundry and restock groceries and beer

 

I choose this picture to give you an idea of the Chesapeake Bay. We have to stay above or around Virginia until November 1st. Then we ll start down the intercostal that begins in Norfolk   

Our boat on the town dock in the little Barbour of Rock Hall. 

The monument built to honor the oyster haulers. 

When we walked back from town the first day, Denise got scared because she thought someone was on her boat Blue. 

 Haha. 

Across the Delaware Bay

We actually had a practice run on Tuesday September 24th. This is when Denise and Ladd had showed us the most favorable tide and current to push right up the Bay. We questioned the wind but they felt the current was more important. So has we moved out toward the mouth of the Bay a very large fishing boat was waving his arms in a "no way!" motion.  We tried to understand but couldn't hear and was already committed out the narrow canal.  This is where we met the 4 to 6 foot waves, coming from exactly the direction we were going and with the wind prediction of 10 to 15 knots of wind from the north to northwest, we promptly turned around.  This did not please Aaron who was down below securing all our belongings that had been thrown around. Another day in Cape May.....noooooo. He had already made us breakfast of eggs and toasted bagels.  Well we did stay the tenth day and left the next to a favorable tide and current and 12 knot wind north east. So we were able to pull out our headsail, in 2 to 4 foot waves, and plow through. It was a beautiful day and by mid day there was little to no wind. By the time we got to the C & D Canal, Chesapeake and Delaware Canal, it was about 3 pm and we knew we'd have a really nice current. It was so nice that we were averaging about 7.5 knots and even hit 8.2. ( ok you non boaters this is fast for a boat that normally averages 6 knots on a good day). We were thrilled and was able to make anchorage at the Bohemia River before dinner. All in all, about an easy ten hour day. 

Aaron steering...he was just excited to be moving again. 

Jon looking for crab pots...they are everywhere and would really mess up the prop if they were to get tangled in. 

 Beautiful sunset in the Bohemia River

Cape May Daze

We ended up staying ten days in Cape May. We stayed to wait for the best tide and current, something Jon and I were completely ignorant of.  But we were introduced (via friends setting us up...much like blind dating...your other boater friends set you up with their friends that are traveling the same way you are) to Ladd and Denise.  Ladd and Denise travel on 46 foot Benneteau sail boat going up and down the coast each year from Ft Lauderdale, Fl to Marthas Vineyard, MA. So Ladd and Denise have been teaching us how to get the most out of the tides and currents

      Aaron in a daze....ha ha no just taking his own pic when he was suppose to be taking ours. 

Our treasures. Need to take picture so I could send them back to the sea to make room for more treasures. 

Us on Cape May with Denise and Ladd   The town right there looked like the seen from Popeye's fishing village. I was looking for Sweetpea to coming crawling out on one of the balconies. 

A picnic at the beach in Cape May. P

This yacht towered over us at the dock at South Jersey Marina.  One of many.  

Spent the last few days at anchor on front of the Coast Guard Training Center. Very cool and so many nice boats pass you by. 

Oh My My Sail to Cape May

Ok !  We got our weather window!  Saturday, September 14th. Northwest wind 10 to 15 knots all day (or so the report said).  Woke up early and it was still blowing to hard to go, but started making ready anyway.  Made the decision to leave around 11 or 12 noon and sail through the night, past Atlantic City, to Cape May, NJ     

It was a wonder filled day and night of sailing. Instead of 10 to 15 knots, it was blowing 15 to 20 knots. With gusts up to 25.  This helped make good time but was a little hard to steer between the waves and the gusts.  Not to mention the temperature was about 52 degrees..... It got cold.  However it was all made good by the great sail, the beautiful sunset and sunrise, working together (Jon, Aaron and I taking turns navigating, steering, feeding each other soup and hot tea and sharing the two pairs of gloves and hats) and spotting a pod of dolphins

 

Got in Chanel of Cape May about 9am and tried to anchor near the coast guard station....I say tried because being so tired from night before, a crowded anchorage, and a "pudding-like" bottom was just too much.  Not to say we gave up too early, I mean two and a half hours are enough trying.  So we finically called a marina and here we are at South Jersey Marina.  Enjoying the good life. 

Ps. We ll probably try again to anchor as we won't be leaving Cape May until the 23rd. Wish us luck. I'll keep you posted...

Hot Hot Hot!

At 8:30pm it is 82 degrees. Feels like 85 according to weather channel AP. but there is a beautiful breeze blowing and we've just all showered from a fun day on the beach.  We found that if we dingy across the bay and beach it,  climb the small dune and cross the road, we are at the most gorgeous beach on the Atlantic. A seven mile stretch of white sand and waves to jump over and through. Aaron and I were first to venture out past the breaking waves.  I had forgotten how much fun and how much energy it takes to float and maneuver over the waves. We all played for a few hours in the surf, surprisingly strong ... Knocked us down a couple of times. Then we even played football for awhile(did you know that it is funny how the person with the wind with them can throw a perfect spiral. Well, Jon thought he was something....until we switched places... Then I could throw perfect spiral,too.)

 

Weather Windows

Still on watch for a weather window ( that's when the weather will work with your boat and not against like the reports are saying) in Atlantic Highlands   Lucky for us, we seem to choose great places to hold up. 

This experimental submarine was so cool to see. Who knew they were thinking of such things in 1894. And who was the one that went inside it. It looked pretty questionable.  Guess that's why they said it was experimental. Makes me think. Isn't that what we are doing.... Experimenting with this live-a-board life. Seeing what it takes. Can we "weather" the weather waits. I think this is the kind of thing we  have to get used to and learn how to pass the time and explore what is right in front of us. 

Sandy Hook

It is unbelievably beautiful in the bay of Atlantic Highlands. Not only are we enjoying watching the fishing birds (not sure what they are called) they look like loons but sound like walruses ,  but since we are waiting for the right window weather we are enjoying the town and the beach.

   

Flight worth talking about!

ObFrom Marcy, after two nights of family and friends wishing us well...and I mean well...I think we scored 6 bottles of wine, a bottle of champagne, a 12 pack of coronas, really nice towels and a Corona straw hat..oh don't forget the Bail Bucket (for bail or to bail with),  anyway after leaving lock 20...did I mention how much we are going to miss these amazing friends...they are so stuck in me and a part of us that they will be with us always..ok back to travels..  We headed east on the canal to St  Johnsville on we'd the 21 of August..it was brutally hot and humid humid and on the 22nd I put up our tarp for shade and we made it much more  comfortably to Amsterdam.  Amsterdam is a beautiful stop with excellent facilities with only on problem,  they have Amtrak and cargo trains go twice an hour all night long...not not much sleep that night.

On , Friday we we're able to take "flight".  Our last five locks on the Erie Canal were consecutive locks that lower you a total of over 150 feet.  Each lock lowered you about 35 feet down the side of the mountain.  It was spectacular.   

I wish you could really see how beautiful

Trying to get creative with photography

We ended our flight in Waterford, a stay that was very reasonable ...it was free..really..free.  They let boats dock for free and you pay $5 for bathroom keys and $10 if you want electricity.  We stayed two nights and enjoyed the place where the Mohawk River and the Hudson River meet.  The town is wonderful and very nice places to walk and enjoy dining cuisine ... Our favorite was a dinner that fed us for $8.00. Jon was smiling ear to ear.  He had a burger and fries and I had my stand by BLT with chips and drinks.

Sunday we made it to Hop n Nose Marina on our first day on the Hudson River.  The Hudson River  was interesting navigating as well as negotiating the freighters that are pushed by tugboats.  Conversation between Jon and I went something like this..(by the way, I'm steering.). me:  "is that a boat or land way up there?"  Jon: "I think that's a freighter."  me:  "Well why does it look like its coming right at us?"  Jon:  "because it is on the same course."  "We need to be on the other side to stay in the Chanel."  Me:  "yeah I know, do you think we can cross in front of in time.....ok...he will make his turn right after we get in the Chanel and we should be fine".  I have to tell all of you reading this blog..this was a little intimidating....the way the Chanel runs is from one side to the other of the river and it seems like there isn't enough room to pass each other.   So Jon watched how close I was to shore and I watch the freighter and depth and we were fine...after our hearts stopped palpitating.

Objects are closer than they appear.

We Must Get to NYC

Our friend's home on Hudson .  Nice enough to get us a mooring 

Lou, Meleina and Linda

Catskills 

Castle, guess they give tours.

We pick up our son ....he is ready for high seas.

Sara shows us NYC

Waiting for the subway...so hot felt like an oven....but then it was almost refreshing to come out ....almost

We enjoyed our stay with our daughter

Love you Sara

This is our view at Sandy Hook, NJ