Saturday, June 28th
After being fogged in at Atlantic Highlands an extra day, we took the advice of the local TowBoat US to get the tide to pass through Hells Gate and left the mooring at 5 a.m. Thursday headed for New York Harbor. The ride was bumpy from New Jersey into the Narrows. And then we heard on the VHF that there was a person spotted in the East River near the Williams Bridge - our route. So we had the 8 a.m. ferries to play with and all the Coast Guard and NY police boats to work around. There were helicopters overhead buzzing around too. So the usual very busy New York Harbor was even more so that morning. Our tide advice was great and we had a nice ride from the Narrows through the East River and through Long Island Sound into Oyster Bay. We went into the fuel dock, but the tanks weren't pumping. 30 minutes later they figures out one of the workers had pulled the emergency switch. Anyway, we fueled up and picked up a mooring. Fees for the moorings have gone from $35 to $50 a day! April enjoyed the launch ride back for her evening walk and made sure the launch driver knew she liked it.
We decided to try for the trip from Oyster Bay to the Thames River and a visit with Jerry and Sandy Bishop on Friday. The day was beautiful but no wind in the morning and too much wind in the afternoon. We made the 81 miles in about 13 hours. Jerry met us at their mooring much to April's delight. She hopped into his dinghy, we loaded our baggage, and Jerry, April and I left Bill to button up WishBone and headed for land. April was the first to leave the dinghy at the Bishop's dock!
We had a wonderful dinner and visit with Jerry and Sandy and celebration of Jerry's great doctor's report of that day.
Saturday, June 28, 2014
Wednesday, June 25, 2014
Wednesday, June 25th
We are in the fog in Atlantic Highlands, New Jersey this morning. We left Atlantic City Monday AM after successfully backing out of an essentially shoebox slip with only one small bump. We stopped in Manasquam NJ overnight on Monday and then continued on to Atlantic Highlands Tuesday. The plan now is to go through New York City tomorrow, into Long Island Sound and on to Oyster Bay, NY.
We are in the fog in Atlantic Highlands, New Jersey this morning. We left Atlantic City Monday AM after successfully backing out of an essentially shoebox slip with only one small bump. We stopped in Manasquam NJ overnight on Monday and then continued on to Atlantic Highlands Tuesday. The plan now is to go through New York City tomorrow, into Long Island Sound and on to Oyster Bay, NY.
Sunday, June 22, 2014
This was a very good day!
April's new favorite toy. I awoke in the night to "Rivit, rivit, rivit"
It was a very cruel trick!
June 22nd
Sunday
We are in Atlantic City. We arrived yesterday afternoon. We couldn't get dockage for tonight further north so we have decided to stay here tonight too. There is a big fishing tournament going on in Manasquam, and it looked very difficult to get April off the boat in the only other anchorage possibility in the Shark River. There is an offshore racing boat competition going on here in Atlantic City this weekend. It is like being at the auto race track. The boats are noisy!
Thursday, June 19, 2014
Thursday, June 19th
Yesterday was a VERY WARM day, even on the Delaware Bay. The wind blew hard churning up the waters but that all was on our stern so we again made good time today. However, when we got to the Cape May Canal we had to cruise around waiting for the tide to go down to get bridge clearance. So despite our good travel timing, we got into the marina later in the afternoon, however, we got in safe and sound.
About 3 a.m. this morning we were awakened by a violent thunderstorm. I don't think I have ever heard such loud thunder. Since the storms are supposed to be around all day, we and the other sailboats traveling North are sitting. We will do some walking around Cape May later in the day.
Yesterday was a VERY WARM day, even on the Delaware Bay. The wind blew hard churning up the waters but that all was on our stern so we again made good time today. However, when we got to the Cape May Canal we had to cruise around waiting for the tide to go down to get bridge clearance. So despite our good travel timing, we got into the marina later in the afternoon, however, we got in safe and sound.
About 3 a.m. this morning we were awakened by a violent thunderstorm. I don't think I have ever heard such loud thunder. Since the storms are supposed to be around all day, we and the other sailboats traveling North are sitting. We will do some walking around Cape May later in the day.
Tuesday, June 17, 2014
Beautiful Chesapeake on a calm day
We left Solomon's Monday with the sunrise and traveled to Tolchester, MD, almost 60 miles. Today we had the tide with us and traveled from Tolchester to the Delaware end of the C&D canal. It was a fast, short day with the tide pushing us and WishBone showing 9.2 kts on the GPS. Tomorrow will will start down the Delaware Bay. Our destination is Cape May canal.
Sunday, June 15, 2014
Sunday, Father's Day
Happy Father's Day dads!
We are still in Solomon's Island tonight, but with a ship filled with healthy people and dog, we will be on our way North again tomorrow. Friday was find a clinic and a car and some antibiotics. Saturday was let the meds work and hope Bill and April would be okay. Today was return the car and get ready to depart tomorrow. Our destination is Rock Hall, MD or beyond.
Happy Father's Day dads!
We are still in Solomon's Island tonight, but with a ship filled with healthy people and dog, we will be on our way North again tomorrow. Friday was find a clinic and a car and some antibiotics. Saturday was let the meds work and hope Bill and April would be okay. Today was return the car and get ready to depart tomorrow. Our destination is Rock Hall, MD or beyond.
Friday, June 13, 2014
Friday, June 13th
We pulled into Solomons Island yesterday afternoon. The trip was foggy, rainy, windy and with typical bay seas. However, we made it! Today we spent the morning finding a clinic and a car. I had not been feeling well for a couple of days and this morning it all peaked. Those nasty little ticks did it again to me. However, we rented a car and found a wonderful clinic that I was in and out of in about one-half hour without an appointment! We picked up the antibiotics, had lunch and was back to the marina by one o'clock. We plan to keep the car and stay here a couple of days until I feel better.
We pulled into Solomons Island yesterday afternoon. The trip was foggy, rainy, windy and with typical bay seas. However, we made it! Today we spent the morning finding a clinic and a car. I had not been feeling well for a couple of days and this morning it all peaked. Those nasty little ticks did it again to me. However, we rented a car and found a wonderful clinic that I was in and out of in about one-half hour without an appointment! We picked up the antibiotics, had lunch and was back to the marina by one o'clock. We plan to keep the car and stay here a couple of days until I feel better.
Wednesday, June 11, 2014
Wednesday, June 11th
We had the most wonderful visit and time off the boat with Harrie and Pati and Toby! It was our first time in a home since we saw them in November. April checked out all the rooms, rubbed herself on all the rugs and sat in front of the wonderful low dog windows and watch the outside world. Bill and I just enjoyed being spoiled and loved. All our love to you Harrie and Pati and Toby too.
We left Hampton pier early this morning, 6 am, and the beginning of the day was okay, but then the wind picked up and the seas built and it was a rough ride up the Chespeake. We fortunately had the tide most of the day, but the wind was on our nose so we couldn't pull that sail. Anyway, it was blowing 20 kts once we got outside the Hampton Roads channel.
We got to the Deltaville Marina channel about 2 pm but immediately went aground. I called the marina and got entrance instructions and we tried again successfully. Once we got into the fuel dock I realized we had been there before with Snow Goose. Anyway, the marina is just okay. We walked April into Deltaville once we were settled but she didn't need much of a walk because her sail was active enough to keep her on her toes all day. We are in the middle of thunderstorms right now which are predicted for pretty much the next few days so when we move where is a toss up. Our thought is to get to Solomons, MD tomorrow, but we'll see.
All our thoughts and prayers have been with Jerry and Sandy Bishop for the past few months. Jerry had surgery on the cancer in his kidney today and it went well!!! We love these guys and they deserve to come out of this with flying colors!!! We are looking forward to seeing them.
So cross your fingers for the weather tomorrow. This is no place to be stuck for a few days!
We had the most wonderful visit and time off the boat with Harrie and Pati and Toby! It was our first time in a home since we saw them in November. April checked out all the rooms, rubbed herself on all the rugs and sat in front of the wonderful low dog windows and watch the outside world. Bill and I just enjoyed being spoiled and loved. All our love to you Harrie and Pati and Toby too.
We left Hampton pier early this morning, 6 am, and the beginning of the day was okay, but then the wind picked up and the seas built and it was a rough ride up the Chespeake. We fortunately had the tide most of the day, but the wind was on our nose so we couldn't pull that sail. Anyway, it was blowing 20 kts once we got outside the Hampton Roads channel.
We got to the Deltaville Marina channel about 2 pm but immediately went aground. I called the marina and got entrance instructions and we tried again successfully. Once we got into the fuel dock I realized we had been there before with Snow Goose. Anyway, the marina is just okay. We walked April into Deltaville once we were settled but she didn't need much of a walk because her sail was active enough to keep her on her toes all day. We are in the middle of thunderstorms right now which are predicted for pretty much the next few days so when we move where is a toss up. Our thought is to get to Solomons, MD tomorrow, but we'll see.
All our thoughts and prayers have been with Jerry and Sandy Bishop for the past few months. Jerry had surgery on the cancer in his kidney today and it went well!!! We love these guys and they deserve to come out of this with flying colors!!! We are looking forward to seeing them.
So cross your fingers for the weather tomorrow. This is no place to be stuck for a few days!
Sunday, June 8, 2014
Friday, June 6, 2014
June 6th, Dismal Swamp to Norfolk and Hampton Roads
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It was the sail parade and then the boats that had to hold up for the parade. Very busy day in Norfolk Harbor
We saw many, many autos that were being transported via container ships on the docks and here on the ship.
We will be visiting Harrie and Pati in Williamsburg for a few days. WishBone will be in Hampton Roads at the dock. We are excited to be on hard - April will be soooo glad to be in a home and with her loved ones, Harrie, Pati and Toby!!!
Thursday, June 5, 2014
June 5th
The Dismal Swamp which runs from North Carolina to Virginia
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The Dismal Swamp which runs from North Carolina to Virginia
It was a dismal morning
Approaching the South Mills Lock
A rare wide place in the waterway
The sun came out
Oopps - repeat
We are waiting for the lock to open - there are four sailboats and a trawler
All the boats traveling the swamp decided we were not going to make the 3:30 p.m. lock opening (the last one of the day) and have pulled over to the dock at the welcome center - some rafted to each other.
There will be a mass exit tomorrow at 5:30 a.m. to make the 8:30 lock
Wednesday, June 4, 2014
Wednesday, June 4th
Time is flying by. We docked at the Allegator River Marina last night and are in Elizabeth City today. We arrived just before a huge rain/wind storm. The river is still rough. We managed to get through some tight spots in the Albemarle today where yesterday there was some boats grounded. We had Gator Tail and Soft Crab for lunch here in Elizabeth City. Delicious! Tomorrow the plan is the Dismal Swamp. It is supposed to be windy but we are told once we are in the swamp it is like a hurricane hole, very calm.
Time is flying by. We docked at the Allegator River Marina last night and are in Elizabeth City today. We arrived just before a huge rain/wind storm. The river is still rough. We managed to get through some tight spots in the Albemarle today where yesterday there was some boats grounded. We had Gator Tail and Soft Crab for lunch here in Elizabeth City. Delicious! Tomorrow the plan is the Dismal Swamp. It is supposed to be windy but we are told once we are in the swamp it is like a hurricane hole, very calm.
Monday, June 2, 2014
Monday, June 2nd
What a beautiful day on the waterway. We are glad we waited for today to continue on. The Neuse River was still choppy after the winds of the past two days but nothing unbearable and the rest of the trip to Belhaven was great. We are actually in an older marina on Dowry Creek just beyond Belhaven. We met cruisers we were docked beside in West End, Grand Bahama and other cruisers on Calypso, a beautiful "lobster boat" conversion, we have seen along the waterway headed for Southwest Harbor, Maine from Vero Beach, Florida. This marina has no tide so we again are tied up to this finger pier with poles and it is a narrow tieup on top of that. Tomorrow AM should be fun getting out of here. Weather permitting, tomorrow Tuesday we head for the Allegator River, Wednesday Elizabeth City, and then the Dismal Swamp.
What a beautiful day on the waterway. We are glad we waited for today to continue on. The Neuse River was still choppy after the winds of the past two days but nothing unbearable and the rest of the trip to Belhaven was great. We are actually in an older marina on Dowry Creek just beyond Belhaven. We met cruisers we were docked beside in West End, Grand Bahama and other cruisers on Calypso, a beautiful "lobster boat" conversion, we have seen along the waterway headed for Southwest Harbor, Maine from Vero Beach, Florida. This marina has no tide so we again are tied up to this finger pier with poles and it is a narrow tieup on top of that. Tomorrow AM should be fun getting out of here. Weather permitting, tomorrow Tuesday we head for the Allegator River, Wednesday Elizabeth City, and then the Dismal Swamp.
Sunday, June 1, 2014
Sunday, June 1st
With great relief, we got off the cement dock at the boatyard and headed towards Swansborough NC. The waterway was good to us. We had the tide so the skinny water was within our realm and we managed to reach Dudley's Marina about noon. They had a courtesy car and Bill needed to fill his prescriptions. We also got some groceries and supplies. In the afternoon we walked around and found the Swansborough Yacht Club for a late lunch. This was not what you would picture as a "yacht club." This was a real country-style bar. But they had a deck for April and the food was not bad.
Saturday AM we are up and off again headed for Oriental NC, former home of WishBone. Again, a good day, tide was with us almost the entire way. However, once again it was a motor trip. Too many twists and turns to pull the sail. The wind picked up in the afternoon and really started blowing by the time we entered the Neuse River. We took a slip in the Whittaker Point marina and by the time we tied up - about 3 pm - the wind was blowing 20 knots. The wind blew all night and into the morning with small craft warnings flying. We decided our slip at the marina was the place for us. We did some laundry, lots of dog walks and took the dinghy into Oriental downtown. We found the town dock to tie up, had some lunch at the marina next to the town dock and then scoped out a marine supply store for some new dock lines (on sale), an Oriental Tshirt and a new pair of Tevas - oh, and one very good dog bone.
Tomorrow the weather is supposed to calm down and warm up (no North wind I hope) so we will head to Belhaven.
With great relief, we got off the cement dock at the boatyard and headed towards Swansborough NC. The waterway was good to us. We had the tide so the skinny water was within our realm and we managed to reach Dudley's Marina about noon. They had a courtesy car and Bill needed to fill his prescriptions. We also got some groceries and supplies. In the afternoon we walked around and found the Swansborough Yacht Club for a late lunch. This was not what you would picture as a "yacht club." This was a real country-style bar. But they had a deck for April and the food was not bad.
Saturday AM we are up and off again headed for Oriental NC, former home of WishBone. Again, a good day, tide was with us almost the entire way. However, once again it was a motor trip. Too many twists and turns to pull the sail. The wind picked up in the afternoon and really started blowing by the time we entered the Neuse River. We took a slip in the Whittaker Point marina and by the time we tied up - about 3 pm - the wind was blowing 20 knots. The wind blew all night and into the morning with small craft warnings flying. We decided our slip at the marina was the place for us. We did some laundry, lots of dog walks and took the dinghy into Oriental downtown. We found the town dock to tie up, had some lunch at the marina next to the town dock and then scoped out a marine supply store for some new dock lines (on sale), an Oriental Tshirt and a new pair of Tevas - oh, and one very good dog bone.
Tomorrow the weather is supposed to calm down and warm up (no North wind I hope) so we will head to Belhaven.
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