NYC then South

Anchorage with a view.

It continues to amaze me how fast the days pass and it is hard to believe it’s been a little over two weeks since the last blog post.    

Atlantic City NJ

After leaving Cape May, NJ we stopped in Atlantic City the weekend of the Miss America pageant.  There were over 200k spectators present just for the parade so needless to say it was a busy place.  Fortunately our anchorage was relatively quiet.  

As we traveled north to Sandy Hook Bay we said a prayer for those affected by the SeaSide fire as we sailed offshore and could see the charred debris.  It was good to see that only days after the fire there were cranes already in place to assist in reconstruction efforts.   

Sandy Hook Bay provided an opportunity for protected anchorage (thanks to seawall), new docks to dinghy to for a walk in the quaint nearby town, beautiful view of NYC skyline and gorgeous sunsets. 

New docks post Hurricane Sandy

NYC skyline from Sandy Hook Bay

Sandy Hook Bay Sunset

Moon Rise

Traveling North in the Hudson River pass The Statue of Liberty we explored a couple of anchoring options and anchored securely over Lady Liberty’s right shoulder for a night.  It made for a memorable evening watching the moon and sunrise over the majestic landmark.  

Sunrise

79th Street Boat Basin

Further up the Hudson we stayed at 79^th Street Boat Basin.  




  

It gave us an opportunity to explore the surrounding dog parks, provision at Trader Joe's and meet our son to celebrate his birthday.  Our daughter joining us made for a surprise celebration and it was great to spend time together.

Leaving NYC the winds were a steady 15kts and with all the boat traffic and fetch we felt like we were in a washing machine.   Once in the Atlantic we experienced six to eight foot swells.  After several days of the washing machine action our stomachs felt like they were stuck on agitation cycle.  

Apparently our feathered friend may have been feeling the same since he hitched a ride with us for at least an hour.    

We returned to Capy May for anchorage prior to transiting the Delmarva coast.  We couldn't help but notice that the Southern migration has begun.  When we last anchored here there were only 3 boats now the anchorage is near full.  

The Delmarva coast brings back special memories for us since we always loved to visit Lewes (pronounced Lewis) and Rehoboth Beach. 

There is so much history here and where else can you look for Captain Kidd or Blackbeard’s lost treasure, ride the carousels while looking at wild ponies and gorgeous sunsets near Assateague Island?    

We plan to stay here for a few nights until the swells associated with a nearby front move through.    If weather permits we will round Hatteras and be in Morehead or Beaufort, NC by next weekend.   

Cape May, NJ

Sailing off Cape May, NJ:

Smile says it all…GREAT DAY OF SAILING, calm seas, 18kt of sustained wind off our beam.

Let’s recap the last week in pictures:

Leaving the Potomac and saying goodbye to George Washington’s Mt Vernon home:

Arriving in the Nation’s Sailing Capital, Annapolis, aka Aluminum Forrest.

Transiting under the  Chesapeake Bay Bridge:

Up the Patapsco River to Baltimore Harbor and the historic site where the Star Spangled Banner was written during the war of 1812.

Frances Scott Key wrote the Star Spangled Banner while held prisoner on British ship located at this buoy mark.  

Visiting the Victorian town of Chesapeake City.

Traveling with the ebb current  at 4am, through the Chesapeake & Delaware (C&D) canal.

Watching sunset at Cape May.

Dependent upon the weather we should arrive in Manhattan by mid September.

Leaving DC

A month seems to pass so quickly when making fond memories of friend and family gatherings.

Steve & his Dad

 After a quick week of catching up in DC we ventured South to Huntsville, Alabama to visit with family. 

Gwen & her parents

After a week in Huntsville we traveled East to Georgia, visiting with fellow Key West dock mates (who live in Duluth) and family for wedding in Roswell.  

Our daughter was an attendant in the wedding so it was great to spend some time with her and our son-in-law.

Returning to DC we were busy with  farewells and preparing the boat for transit North.  We left National Harbor 9/5 and transited to Mattawoman Creek for a quiet anchorage.  We continue to experience beautiful sunsets with a dramatic difference in the view at dock verses at anchor.

National Harbor

Made new playmates as we traveled North to Norfolk. 

  

Transiting to National harbor we anchored the last few nights to beautiful sunsets.  We prefer to anchor since anchoring takes away the land based clutter.  It seems to allow the freedom to live at a gentler pace with more time to “be” rather than frenetic drive to “do”, thus leading to a clearer perspective on life and a much greater feeling of contentment.   When there are no stores or shopping convenient, contentment becomes a valuable personable asset.

Arrived Monday August 5^that National Harbor in Fort Washington/Oxon Hill, MD.  It’s been a fast paced week since we arrived; catching up with friends and completing our yearly medical exams (including Simon’s).  We leave to visit with family in Huntsville and Atlanta tomorrow.    

Return to St Augustine

Time continues to march forward and the water and it’s surroundings continue to change.  As posted in March, the  landmark towers at Port Everglades inlet in Ft Lauderdale have been demolished.

Cape Canaveral’s newest hotel is nearing completion.

New Smyrna and St Augustine inlet entrances continue to change due to shoaling.

St Augustine’s City Marina has a new attraction.  

It’s hard to believe it has been a month since our return from the Bahamas.  We are currently at Conch House Marina in St Augustine and have enjoyed reuniting with friends, visiting the beach and enjoying many a lovely sunset.  

On a yacht you have sensational water views that change many times a day.  Perhaps this is why waterfront property is so valuable.   Since our initial plan to transit North has been delayed (due to engine head gasket issue) we hope to transit outside and make Norfolk within four days transit.  If Dorian or the Seas say otherwise then we will go inside for passage and this should take approximately 10 days.   Additional update will be posted once we arrive in National Harbor.

State Side

We arrived at the Fort Pierce Inlet with Easterly winds opposing ebbing tide.  It made for an interesting ride as we surfed the waves into the inlet flanked by iron shores.  

Is he smiling or screaming?

I had the best seat on the bow while Steve had all under control at the helm??

We navigated up the ICW a few miles to Vero Beach Marina.   Other Cruisers had told us about the attraction of this area and how it is referenced as Velcro Beach since Cruisers come and stay much longer than initially anticipated.   To be true to the area we are staying a bit longer than initially projected, however we have had a few boat projects that needed our attention.    

Trying to pace ourselves we usually put work aside by afternoon to take time to explore our surroundings.   Vero Beach has a boutique community feel with much to offer.

Having returned from an area where goods are sparce, it is so easily taken for granted the conveniences we have in the States and the rows of stores to satiate American consumption.   

Vero Beach has had a few beach/sand restoration projects. Mother Nature has other plans and continues to reclaim the sand past water’s edge, thus the beach is not very deep.  

A friend once told me:

If you are lucky enough to live by the Sea, you are lucky enough.
                                                                                                                                                                 ~thanks Paula

West End

Life is a wonderful adventure, if you allow yourself to adventure in it.

When does a voyage actually start?  It’s an academic question made for long discussions.  Does it start when you slip your lines and point the bow toward the horizon or does it start with the commitment to go?   

We started sailing together in the 1970’s when we took a Sea Snark catalog Styrofoam boat and sailed in a local river.

 After our kids were adults and out of the house we revisited sailing and decided it was time to branch onto larger boats.  Funny how we thought a larger boat was 23’.   After several charters and long discussions (refer to line one) we decided this was an adventure we must attempt.  Thus leaving no regrets for what we didn’t do, thank you Mark Twain.

 As our sailing friends know, there are two kinds of East coast cruisers; those who plan to go to the  Bahamas and those who have been to the Bahamas.   Our more experienced friends had warned us our itinerary was a bit ambitious for a two month Bahama tour, but we have found it to be delightful and well-paced.

The last leg of this year’s trip to the Bahamas took us to Green Turtle Cay  and town of New Plymouth, where preparation for a large family regatta is underway.

Turtle Cay Resort

  

The race is followed by a cheeseburger cookout sponsored by the yacht named Stranded Naked. 

Stranded Naked

The T shirts and cheeseburgers are sold for a good cause, supporting the local fire department.   The town of New Plymouth is over 200 years and  the people are some of the nicest we have met yet (that’s saying a lot because there have been some VERY nice people along the way).      

  We had been advised to have the coconut lobster here and we were advised well, yummy food!  

Didn’t try the land crabs pictured but the Locals raise them in their backyards and fatten them up prior to cooking or selling. 

To get around this island’s narrow hilled roads we rented a golf cart to explore some of the hidden beaches.  The drive down the roads provided Simon with a cornucopia of smells.  Needless to say he loved it.

After leaving Green Turtle Cay we transited to Allen’s Pensacola and Great Sale Cay where we anchored, grilled dinner and enjoyed beautiful sunsets both nights.

Our next day was to transit further West to Old Bahama Bay Resort.  We had planned on 10 hours transit as an extra cushion in time.  The winds were wonderful at 15-20kts on beam reach so our average speed was 8kts.

This placed our arrival at low tide as we navigated through a shallow channel prior to turning into the Resort; fortunately we are shallow draft only needing 4’ and we registered 4.5’ at one spot.  

Old Bahama Bay Resort is a beautiful Resort with several amenities. 

We felt as if we had our own little oasis under the palm trees by the water with no one around.

As we explored the area on foot and bikes we found a fallen coconut.  We enjoyed fresh coconut milk in the hammock right outside our back door.  

There are many fishing boats here and at night they provide a colorful show.  

As always Simon continues to make new friends.  

Allen’s Pensacola and Great Sale Cay where we anchored, grilled dinner and enjoyed beautiful sunsets both nights. Weather is looking good for a crossing to Florida tomorrow.  We have revised our float plan with the Coast Guard and will clear in at Ft Pierce inlet, planning to stay at Vero Beach City Marina.  

We are leaving the beautiful turquoise waters of the Bahama's but now...
                                                                               it's time to continue the voyage.