Day 57 Statue of Liberty

I know this is a day late but we are still going to call it Day 57, because these are the events of yesterday. Left the Mannasquan area and conquered the Atlantic. It was our first off shore run. The waters were perfect - only 1 foot seas with a cool wind. We passed Asbury Park where my family would visit in the summer. The huge old brick building was still there where my brother and I would take merry-go-round rides. Looks like Sandy might have done a number on the boardwalk. At Sandy Hook it looked like the interstate went right down to the beach. The terrain surprised us because it was almost mountainous (Remember, we're  Floridians). After we rounded the point, the current was against us for a good long time. It was a tough navigation into the harbor to the Great Lady. We went under the massive double decker Verrazano-Narrows bridge - amazing. To call the waters around the Statue of Liberty chaotic and insane is an understatement - there was every kind of boat and ship imagineable there and plenty of them. I had the wheel until the marina and it was the ultimate test of my boating skills, but it was worth it to make it here. And to make it even better, we got to share this experience with our sweet Morgan. Kevin met us at the dock. We had a delicious German sausage dinner at the local beer garden then amazing pastries afterwards in a little bakery below the sidewalk. A bar is right above our slip and our neighbors were partying till 4am this morning - poor Kev and Mo in the front berth did not get much sleep. But hey, we're in the city that never sleeps. 

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. 

Day 55 The Jersey Shore

Left Wildwood without ever experiencing the boardwalk since bad weather moved in late afternoon and stayed all night. We discovered that residents of New Jersey will build their homes, big or small,  out of anything, anywhere - even if there is no solid land to build on. Wondering what the property taxes for the $85k house (pic 1) is, if there is no real property? Hmmm? Boats seem to be more important than cars in this area since sometimes we see docks, but no roads. Started out a very gloomy, cold, rainy day and that's the way it's ending. Now the fog is moving in and we are freezing. To all our Florida friends - bend down and kiss the FL ICW for us. The Jersey one is horrendous. You have never seen so many twists and turns and shoals. We pushed our navigational skills to the limit, but still bottomed out 3 times IN the channel - one time a green marker was where a red should be. The currents are crazy strong here. As evening was approaching, John was trying to outrun a storm and our little boat hit 10 knots. We were screamin'! The canals in Atlantic City were bazaar yet cool - It was like driving down a narrow, winding street cluttered with little houses, then at the end, there's all these massive casinos. We got a slip late in the day in Beach Haven, NJ - John backed the Sundowner into a tiny end space. Let me tell you - me. Momo and the whole marina were impressed. As we were tying up, Jack escaped unnoticed. Found him a few yards away standing in a beach area just staring off. I'm thinking he thought he found the biggest kitty litter box EVER. Off to explore our "home" for the night after one hellava day at sea. 

Day 54 Crossing the Delaware

Yes, the Bell's now have THAT in common with George Washington - we have crossed the Delaware. After the storm last night, we hiked to Crabby Dick's for "pairs of crab balls" appetizers. Everything is a play on words there, but the crab dinners were wonderful. We left the marina at 5:45 this morning and headed to Cape May. The journey was easy today. It could have been very different, but we've been timing this trip for awhile and the wind, seas and currents were with us. It took us less than 8 hours. We had light rain for the last two hours but no biggie. We are taking the New Jersey Intercoastal Waterway to Mannasquan, so we entered at Cape May making our way to Wildwood Crest. As we entered the waterway, the forest lined beach was serene. Passed a fishing fleet that smelled from their profession, but was very picturesque. We anchored in "Sunset Lake" for the night. Yesterday we were dealing with huge freighters - today, we have . . . well, see pic 1. Aaahh, the diversity of the Great Loop. This IS a tourist beach town. We are surrounded by SUP's, pirate cruises, kayaks, excursion boats, fishing craft, jet ski track, and foot peddling duck boats that look like so much fun to rent and are hell on earth in the water as soon as you leave the dock. We are going to try and knock off as many miles as possible tomorrow to reach our goal of the Hudson by Saturday. 

Day 53 Welcome to Delaware

Took it slow this morning so we would have the current with us. Left Chesapeake City around noon for Delaware City Marina. The town is very small, but they have fuel, pump out, water, and Crabby Dick's (restaurant) and that's enough. On the way here, we passed one of those giant freighters in the canal. You feel verrrry tiny as they pass. It was brutally hot today. A front moved through tonight so hoping it pushes these temps out to sea. Morgan and I borrowed bikes from the marina and saw the town - all 10 blocks of it. It is suppose to be older than Chesapeake City, but it is not as rejuvenated yet - actually quite depressed. We stopped by the local blacksmith shop called Forged. Every square inch was covered with metal art, antiques, parts and junk, but it was a very interesting place AND the only open retail business besides the liquor store. They had an awesome dog named Corey who loved snuggling in the dirt. John and I went to a "briefing" by the marina owner, who is the local expert on the Delaware Bay and River. The bay can be pleasant or it can be rough depending on currents and wind. He gave the "go ahead" for tomorrow's trip to Cape May and up the Jersey Intercoastal. So at 5am we are off! 

Day 52 Chesapeake City

Chesapeake City is a sweet, charming village that looks like it's from a movie set. The city dock is in the historic district where most of the homes and retail buildings are from the 1800's. The majority of them are restored and some are a little quirky. But it is also a city of contrast - the town is small, old and quaint and then the boats that come down the C & D Canal are huge and modern as you can see in the pictures. Mo and I explored the shops while John caught up on his sleep. Then we hit the tiki bar for some libations. We ordered "buckets" which were 32 oz. drinks. Well, after that Mo caught up on some sleep and John and I explored the city. Ate awesome burgers at the Chesapeake Inn and delicious Maryland corn with Old Bay seasoning on it. Very different. Just before sunset that massive freighter came by. Also just before sunset, Jack decided to jump ship again and strolled through some tar forcing us to give him a good washing and a little "hair cut". FYI - olive oil spray takes tar out of cat fur and it makes them smell like a fine Italian restaurant. Tomorrow we are heading down the C & D. This canal is the third busiest in the world. It's 450 feet wide, 35 feet deep and was  originally "hand dug", then widen later. Onward to Delaware City when the current turns our way at 8:30am. 

Day 51 Leaving Annapolis for Chesapeake City

Started the day by bidding farewell to Kevin. Didn't leave Annapolis Harbor until Noon. The bay was crazy busy, windy and bumpy - not the best conditions, but we made it to the east coast of the Chesapeake. Went under the huge Bay Bridge - very impressive. Traveled up the coast all day. The houses are spread apart for the most part and so charming. We were surprised to see a lot of farmland and crops so near the water. Six Navy vessels ran along side of us in the channel for hours. We felt very safe. Started up the C & D Canal, but the current was against us so the going was slow and labored. Anchored in Chesapeake City right before sunset. Will play the tides again tomorrow morning heading east on the C & D to Delaware City and maybe to Cape May.