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.

Tappan Zee Bridge(Mario M Cuomo Bridge)

Entrance to our anchorage - narrow

 

Carolina with ICW mustache

Carolina Cruisin’

 Carolina’s Great Adventure

     Bob and I departed New Bern on July 14, 2021 - our 42nd wedding anniversary.  We had been sent off by “our tribe”. It was a wonderful soirée facilitated by Paul and Nicole Deering.  If we knew the party would be that good, we would have left more often!

    The morning we left was a bit hectic.  We’re not used to having to pack.  On Sofia we had everything we owned- she was our only home.  Now we had to actually decide what to bring and what to leave.  It was a real sh*t-show at our house for a couple of days.  We still forgot some minor and major things.  Luckily Amazon delivers just about anywhere and,in most cases, faster than to NewBern. 

      It was a perfect morning to depart.  Wayne and Gaye came by for a last good-bye and brought Bob back from dropping the truck at home.  We finished filling our water tanks, dropped our lines and slipped silently out of our slip.  We were off.

      We spent our first night in the Pungo River.  Anchored very successfully and had a wonderfully peaceful night (read”no bug attacks”).  

We traveled up the Pungo crossed the Albemarle Sound - without incident- and then up the North River to Coinjock.  Where in the Hell is Coinjock!  We took space at the dock and actually managed to eat dinner in the restaurant.  Bob tried the famous rib eye while I stuck to seafood.  It was a delightful evening again.

          The following day we had a leisurely day up to Atlantic Yacht Basin.  We knew we would not make Norfolk with all the bridges and the lock to traverse, so we enjoyed another evening tied to the wall.

          On Saturday the 17th we arrived in Norfolk.  We usually stay in Portsmouth at Ocean Marine Yacht Center but they didn’t answer their radio or phone.  Neither did Tidewater Yacht Marina, another of our favorites.  I’m still waiting for someone to call me back.  I guess if I said a needed dockage for 5 months for a 100’ yacht they may have returned my call.  It’s o.k.  Forced us to try somewhere new and we may never go back to those other places.  We crossed the River to Norfolk and stayed at Waterside Marina.  Great place, right in downtown at the water front park and Waterside Center.  Lots to watch, restaurants right there, bike/walking trail.  They had just rebuilt- brand new floating docks, great dock hands, nice restrooms - though a bit of a walk.  We’ll go back here.   We stayed Saturday and Sunday waiting out some funky weather which really never materialized where we were.  Better safe than sorry.  

           We rode our bikes and took advantage of the restaurants.  We even got an Uber and went provisioning.  Those who know us know we normally ride to the grocery- 2 miles is close for us- but it was just too hot.  We thoroughly enjoyed our time in Norfolk though it was HOT!   We now had to decide if we went up the Chesapeake or off shore.  You add 3-4 days to your trip up the Chesapeake as apposed to the overnight off shore but weather would dictate.

         Monday morning we said goodbye to Norfolk and headed up through Norfolk and into the bay.  We spent that night at anchor in the Wicomico River.  Afternoon thunderstorms were plaguing the area but once again they skirted around us.   But, in case you’ve forgotten, the biting flies are still plaguing the bay!   This is two shatters taped together after each broke.  We call it Thor.  It’s very effective on these flies.

Thor the avenger!

    Next we anchored in the South River just south of Annapolis.  It was a lovely spot once the fishing boats finished racing to their home dock.

         Day 3 on the Chesapeake had us positioning for our transit through the C(Chesapeake) & D(elaware) Canal.  Timing is important or you’re bucking a current of up to 2.8k.  We would have to approach in the mid-afternoon.  We planned to stay in Bohemia River but found it shoaled in and very shallow so instead we backtracked to the Sassafras River.  It started raining as we pulled into the anchorage but was finished before we found the perfect spot and dropped the anchor.  I am getting really good at deploying and retrieving the anchor by now but I do wish I had some short boots to wear so I didn’t always end with wet feet!

      We had a lazy morning the next day.  No hurrying necessary.  Though when we pulled the anchor up we had about 20 lbs. of shells and mud stuck to it.  I spent 15 minutes trying to loosen the muck so we could get the anchor up.  We had to wait on the tide so we were in no rush.  Glad we waited - look who was coming through-

We made it to the canal just before slack and started our 14 mile float through the canal to the Delaware River.  Because we had to enter so late in the day, we’d be anchoring again in Reedy Point anchorage.  We’ve been here before on Sofira and a are well acquainted with this stop.  It’s directly across from a nuclear energy facility.

     We followed a sailboat into the anchorage and there were about 3 other boats already there. No problem - Reedy has lots of room.  Unfortunately our first attempt to set the anchor failed with 250’ of chain out - chain that came back up super mucky.  It was a good half hour before we got it washed and retrieved.  Now to pick a new better possible shallower spot.  Bob found the perfect place and this time the anchor set.

     The next morning we’d have to get up and out early to catch the outgoing tide and scoot through the Cape May Canal to Utsch’s Marina for a few days.  We had to meet with a notary to complete the refinancing of our house.  Sayonara, BB&T.  They were the worst after Florence and I vowed to ditch them ASAP.  We have stopped in Cape May all our trips north, so we know the town quite well and enjoy riding our bikes here.  It was hot the first day but then a cool front settled in and we didn’t need air conditioning and we’re able to ride our bikes to the grocery -twice- and the pharmacy and the liquor store.  We also ordered some things from Amazon with 2 day delivery and met with the notary.  It was a very successful stay in Cape May.

 

Preparing for a provision run.

Carolina at dock

Ready to ride our groceries home

      Now we are traveling off shore up the coast of NJ.  The Intracoastal is basically nonexistent in NJ.  What there is of it is squirrelly, requires careful playing of the tides and you’ll still run aground.  Off shore there’s lots of water and fewer boats!   Weather is always a concern when you’re in the big ocean but I think I’ve found a good window.  It will take us about 18-20 hours to NYC.  We’ll sail through the night taking turns at the helm.  We’re about 1/3 of the way there as I write this.  We are 3 miles off shore and still have two bars of cell service.   Tomorrow we’ll anchor at Sandy Hook and have a day to recuperate and catch up on sleep.

      I’ll write more in a week and catch you up. If you want to join us on our journey, send us a text, email or call.  We love company.

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On Our Way!

 We’ll after a couple of tumultuous years land-based in New Bern, NC, we have finally dropped our dock lines to begin a new cruising adventure.

   If you have not kept up with us- our house was flooded in Florence(11months of rehab), we sold Sofira (now called Drunkin Parrot and up for sale again) and Clare battled rectal cancer and won!!!  Our family has expanded by 3 grandbabies and my Dad has passed away.

    We bought a new-to-us vessel in August.  She is a 49’ Cockpit Motor Yacht built by DeFever.  We brought her north from Jacksonville, FL in October of 2020.  She was docked down the street from us for most of the time so we could work on some small and large boat projects.  We had all new electronics put in and installed tank monitors for our four fuel tanks.  Bob also designed and installed a fuel polishing system.  We made sunshades for the “back porch” and rehabbed the dinghy- painted, sealed, etc., made minor repairs to our forward hatch and refrigerator.  Now that all these things are completed, it’s time to begin our new adventure.

     Today, JULY 14th, Bastile Day we have once again dropped our dock lines and are heading north to new adventures.  It is a very hot and sultry day.  The weather says the same will be the story for the rest of the week.  We heading north for hopefully cooler weather.  If you followed us on S/V Sofira , you know we are no strangers to the northern Atlantic coast.  We loved cruising Maine and Nova Scotia and have every intention of going back BUT not this year.  

    This year we want to cruise up the Hudson River and through some of the Erie Canals 80 locks.  We’ve gotten a late start due to delayed electronics orders but we still plan on having a great time.  We hope you’ll follow our travels and look us up if you happen to be near by.