Day 56 Mannasquan

Crossed Barnagat Bay today then wove our way down the Point Pleasant Canal to Mannasquan, NJ. The bay is still part of the NJICW - very shallow, but beautiful. Our ride was uneventful compared to yesterday. The inlet was filled with boats - fishing, pleasure and sail. Can't imagine this place on the weekend. The PP canal was very Venice-like; narrow and winding with smallish houses right on the water. There was this strange area right at the beginning that we think was a bird sanctuary. Poles were sticking up everywhere with shelves on them for maybe osprey nests. (Pic 1) The currents are very tricky and strong here. Staying in a marina that is next to a busy channel, a car bridge, a commuter train bridge and a very "thank God it's Friday" bar. To say the least - it's a little noisy, but a perfect location to launch into the Atlantic tomorrow. In the picture, it looks like the train is right at the end of our dock. My family summered in this area when I was a kid. We rode the bikes around town to see if I could find anything familiar. I did remember a bridge and the sweet sea smell. Even though it's still sort of a small beach town, five decades changes a place. Very cool tonight - the front brought through some "fall weather".  We've had jackets and sweatshirts on most of the day, but the weather was gorgeous. Tomorrow we head out to the ocean for 24 miles then crossing NY Harbor to see the Statue of Liberty.