Carolina Cruisin’

August 2, 2021

Bob and I worked diligently figuring out our timing for our trip up the New Jersey coast. It’s an overnight cruise and we had a decent weather window on July 27th. Taking into account tides, currents, our speed, etc., we figured about 18hrs. We wanted to leave Utsch’s near to high tide - water can be skinny there. We left about 10am because the weather forecast was changing and in a bad direction. We opted to get there early and anchor in our usual spot. We’ll it turns out Carolina moves a lot faster than we expected. We ran into a couple of dry squalls that made our hearts pound but did nothing to change the sea state of 2-3 ft. Seas. We made our way into the ship channel towards Sandy Hook around 1 am. YUK! Neither of us like to arrive in the dark, especially not NYC harbor.

Through Bob’s skill and excellent charts, we made our way to the anchorage we thought we’d use. Needless to say, it was full. We carried on the the next and it was packed also. This meant we had to brave going into Atlantic Highlands anchor/mooring field in the dark. We’ve done this before in Charleston, but prefer to arrive, as I said, in daylight.

We dropped our anchor about 200 ft from another boat but the anchor dragged and would not set so I had to pull all 150ft of chain in, washing it down as it came in, in the dark. Not a fun activity. We decided to try the other side of the channel and Bob found a spot where the anchor grabbed. YEAH. We were tired.

The next day we called the marina and requested a slip for Carolina. We could move in after noon. The slip was quite near the fuel dock and just off the launch ramp for small boats. Little did we know the slip came with free entertainment. Watching boaters try to back their boats down the ramp or drive their boats onto their trailers is first class entertainment. We were close enough that we could hear some of the verbal exchanges.🤣🤣🤣

We planned on one night here but another cold front was due to pass bring storms so we opted for a second night. It’s a good thing we did. Our marina got lots of rain and some wind but towns both north and south of us were hit with tornadoes. Not only that but the next morning Bob took me out for breakfast. We walked up to Hudson Cafe. WOW! Great restaurant serving healthy alternatives. We were pleasantly surprised.

Friday, July 30th, we left Atlantic Highlands and sailed into NewYork harbor. It’s always a thrill to cross under the Verrazano- Narrows Bridge and see the beautiful skyline.

Verrazano-Narrows ridge

Lady Liberty

Clare with our view from the bow.

It never gets old. We planned on staying at the anchorage behind Ellis Island. We knew until the ferry traffic subsided that we would be bounced around a bit but we didn’t expect the 15k winds gusting to 25k. It just added to the excitement. When we arrive the sailing schooner Arabella was the only other boat. At over 100 ft. She was a sight to see.

Arabella at anchor

As the night wore on other boats came in to join us. There was plenty of room and we all survived the night….by 10:30 the wakes had subsided but the party boats were out in force with their music turned up as loud as it would go. Hmmm m, Friday night not the best night for this anchorage. Saturday morning there was quite nice though. We enjoyed a leisurely breakfast then upped the anchor and headed north toward the George Washington Bridge. To truly understand what being here means to Bob and me, you must know that I was raised in NJ and Bob’s family moved to NJ during high school. The city was our playground. Our Dad’s worked for Colgate Palmolive and commuted into the city everyday. Colgate was a big part of both our upbringings. So just north of Ellis Island and the Morris Canal (Liberty Landing Marina) is the famous Colgate clock.

Colgate Clock, rebuilt in1924

This clock is one of the largest clocks in the world. It adorned the Jersey City plant until 1980 when the plant was demolished and the property sold to developers or something like that. As kids , we used to look for the clock whenever we were in Jersey City to pick Dad up. Very special to us. Next up we’d pass the Empie State Building. Then then George Washington Bridge.

Empire State Building

George Washington Bridge

Our Dads drove over this bridge everyday to work. It was a a central part of our youth- across that bridge, we could drink at age 17 and do many things out of reach in Jersey.Along the River you pass some of the most unique architecture you will ever see.

Once under the GW Bridge we are heading into new territory for us in a boat. Bob and I know the towns along both sides of the Hudson quite well from land but not from the water. The true adventure begins now.

Next we will pass under the Tappan Zee Bridge….now called the Mario M Cuomo Bridge, after the former governor. They actually tore down the Tappan Zee and built a beautiful new bridge but at our house, it will always be the Tappan Zee. We are heading up to Haverstraw to anchor for a few days while awaiting for a guest to arrive.