The weather was perfect today, warm temps, blue skies and great visibility, a perfect day to cross our wake and complete the loop.
Our cruise into New YorkHarbor was delightful and filled with excitement! Barb and I have waited for this day for a long time cruising over 17,000 miles to complete a 6,000 mile loop! It’s been said that I can’t read a compass and that’s where the extra miles came from. One thing for sure it’s been a hoot and we wouldn’t trade a minute of it.
On the way, in about mile from the Verrazano Narrows Bridge, we were stopped by the New York Harbor police and asked for the number of people on board, our destination and if we were with the two boats behind us. Once satisfied with our response they told us to proceed to a point in the harbor where additional police boats with flashing blue lights were waiting for us to pass between them at a slow speed. All of our boats passed in review then told to have a nice day! We were told that they were part of Homeland Security!
Ferry between New York
and Sandy Hook
As we passed under the bridge Bill and Joyce on “Carried Away” and Carl and Ricki on “Quest” took lots of pictures of our memorable event. As we passed the Statute of Liberty another photo op took place for all of the boats. We then proceeded up the Hudson locating our marina for the night. The current when entering the harbor is strong and the boat is bouncing and rolling from side to side. The location is wonderful but the movement of the boat is like riding a mechanical bull! We have a wonderful view of Manhattan and sure it will be beautiful tonight.
In addition to our three looper boats there are additional loopers in the marina - Belinda & Jim that we met at Delaware City Marina on “Rickshaw” brought balloons to celebrate the crossing.
Barb and I have now struck the white burgee and replaced it with the GOLD!
Like any accomplishment - do you live in the glory of the moment or move on? Tonight we celebrate and tomorrow we continue our adventure at first light!
Coney Island
Homeland Security
Tall Ship
Getting closer
First sight of Statue of Liberty
Fort Wadsworth by
Verrazano Narrows Bridge
Quest and Carreid Away
under Verranzano Bridge
Manhattan
Tall ship
Staten Island Ferry
Statue of Liberty
Brooklyn Bridge
Entrance into Newport Marina
Jim - Belinda - Barb
Moor $tuff under Verrazano Narrows Bridge
We did it!
Wednesday, May 30, 2012
Wednesday, May 30, 2012
74°01.894’ W
40°025.039’ N
AtlanticHighlandsMunicipalHarbor
Sandy Hook Bay, New Jersey
Waiting to leave
Leaving
Today was a fair weather day. We encountered light drizzle with little wind. The ocean waves were 2 to 3 feet gentle rollers making it a great ride today.
Just prior to our departure a large motor yacht got caught by the current and made contact with the anchor of another boat which resulted in a hole 4 feet above the water line. I think there was more damage to the Captains pride than to the side of his yacht even though it will probably cost upward of $10,000 to fix it! That was close to the same area I had problems docking yesterday! The current in that harbor is treacherous!
Heading out the inlet
Hazy day on the ocean
Our three boats departed at and headed out of the harbor inlet close to slack tide. Once out of the inlet the waters calmed providing us with a pleasant ride. Visibility was very hazy but not so hazy that we couldn’t make out the general shape of the VerrazanoNarrowsBridge where Barb and I will cross our wake and complete the Great Loop tomorrow!
Tomorrow I will lead the way from Sandy Point about an hour and a half cruising time to the bridge, then up the Hudson River past the Statute of Liberty to the Newport Yacht Club for a nights stay. Barb and I will replace our white AGLCA burgee to a “GOLD” one signifying that we have completed the Great Loop!! The six of us will crack a bottle of Champaign to celebrate have some dinner before continuing our great adventure!
Sandy Hook Lighthouse
Arriving at Sandy Hook Bay
Headed down the channel to marina
View of Sandy Hook Bay from the bow of our boat
Tuesday, May 29, 2012
74°03.045’ W
40°06.395’ N
Hoffman’s Marina at Manasquan Inlet
ManasquanRiver
Brielle, New Jersey
Leaving Atlantic City
Looking back at the skyline
The weather was good not great. Winds out of the south east 5 mph building to 15 mph. The ocean waves were predicted to be 3 to 5 feet.
The three boats departed at and headed out of the harbor inlet. Once out of the inlet the waters calmed providing us with a somewhat pleasant ride. As time progressed the seas started to pick up and by they were showing white caps. footers were predicted with the norm footers. The waves were on our beam most of the morning switching to a following sea! To say the ride was a pleasant is an understatement. Barb did a great job anticipating the rough conditions we experienced, and had everything lashed down and secured. When entering the harbor the wind picked up to over 20 mph (possible 30 mph) with the tide running 4 mph it made it impossible to dock in the assigned slip with out damaging the boat! I parked the boat on the face of a T-dock before the marina manager moved our boat into the slip with marina helpers! There’s no way in hell that I would have been able to complete that task without major damage to our boat!
Arriving in Manasquan Inlet
Following Carried Away and Quest in the Atlantic Ocean
It was truly a very rough 63 mile day for all - with minor damage to two of the boats from falling debris while underway.
One high point during today’s run was a whale breached twice within a mile of us before lying on its side slapping the water with its fin. I think it was attracting its dinner or just waving at us as we passed by.
Going through the inlet
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Skip - Bill - Carl Cheers! We made it!
Our dinner was served on Quest before every one returned to their boat to crash. Not sure if we’ll get out of here tomorrow but will try. Our next stop is Sandy Hook before entering the Hudson River.
Monday, May 28, 2012
74°25.395’ W
39°22.594’ N
Kammerman’s Atlantic City Marina
Atlantic City, New Jersey
Leaving Utschs Marina
Along the New Jersery ICW
Another great weather day! Lots of sunshine blue skies and temperatures in the high 80’s.
We moved our boat to a different marina for fuel and pump out then radioed Quest that we’re ready to move on. Carl and Ricki’s family departed early so we got underway by . For 55 miles we cruised the ICW which was a real task. We thumped the bumped bottom four times and grounded once! I was in the channel showing 3-1/2 ‘ depth on one gauge and 4’ on another but was stuck solid before another boat went flying by rocking her free from her mid-channel perch.
Views along the ICW
View along the ICW
It was a long day but not so long to keep everyone from having dinner at the Golden Nugget Hotel & Casino. We met Joyce and Bill who were staying at a different marina and the six of us had a very enjoyable dinner.
Bridge opening on the ICW
Atlantic City Skyline
Our marina is on the rough side but safe and secure. From the marina we traveled to the Golden Nugget by cab before returning to our boats early. We were told not to walk the streets after dark.
While in the marina office, a Tow Boat US Captain strongly suggested that we do not use the last section of the ICW due to shoaling with the high probability of getting stuck! We will take his advice and go into the Atlantic tomorrow weather permitting.
Golden Nugget
View from our boat
Sunday, May 27, 2012
Sunday, May 27, 2012
74°54.348’ W
38°57.066’ N
Utsch’s Marina
Cape May, New Jersey
Another great weather day! Lots of sunshine blue skies and temperatures in the high 80’s.
Other than cleaning up the boat, working on our dinghy’s outboard motor and Barb doing laundry, it was a laid back day.
We had dinner on the boat Carried Away with Joyce and Bill Craig. They’re new to cruising the loop and are moving in the same direction as we are so hope to see more of them in the future. They are selling their house, have put all of their belongings in storage and have purchased a beautiful boat they will call home!
Carl and Ricki’s family will depart tomorrow morning so plan to be underway by . We will move our boat to a different marina for fuel and pump out then radio Quest that we’re ready to move on. Weather permitting we should be in Atlantic City tomorrow afternoon! We intend to cruise the New Jersey Intracoastal Waterway with Quest. Carried Away will go outside as the ICW is to shallow for their 4½ ‘ draft.
Saturday, May 26, 2012
Saturday, May 26, 2012
74°54.348’ W
38°57.066’ N
Utsch’s Marina
Cape May, New Jersey
Concrete ship S.S. Atlantus
We woke to great weather - blue skies and temps in the high 80’s! Barb and I took care of a few boat chores before venturing out with our bikes. We rode to the coast where one of 12 concrete ships that were built during World War I sunk during a storm and parts are still sticking out of the ocean! We also visited a World War II coastal defense fire tower, the last one totally intact in NJ. This was state of the art submarine detection with coastal gun battery fire control --- before the introduction of radar.
Atlantic Ocean at Sunset Beach
World War II Lookout Tower
From there we peddled to the Cape May lighthouse (where the Delaware Bay meets the Atlantic Ocean) still active, before returning to the boat. On our return, we were told it was a ten mile round trip!
Carl and Ricki’s family has arrived and will stay on their boat for the next few nights.
Cape May Lighthouse
Friday, May 25, 2012
Friday, May 25, 2012
74°54.348’ W
38°57.066’ N
Utsch’s Marina
Cape May, New Jersey
Morning Fog
Nothing but dense fog this morning! When you get up in the morning and can’t see 100 ft away it’s time to go back to bed! By the fog had lifted and Barb and I took a walk over the canal bridge we passed under when entering Cape May.
We got our folding bikes set up and rode into town to test both the bikes and my legs --- both worked! WD-40 helped the bikes and Tylenol helps the legs!
Evening sky
Dinner with Carl and Ricki was very good. We ate at Lucky Bones Restaurant across from the marina, close, convenient and reasonable priced considering the location. The lobster and shrimp pizza was excellent! This was the first time I had seafood pizza and it was very good!
Weather forecast for Cape May!
Carl and Ricki have family coming to their boat tomorrow so will get out of here Monday weather permitting.
