Friday, June 7, 2013

Atlantic City to New York

Wed. the 5th we did some boat chores early then caught the jitney into Atlantic City and the boardwalk. This ride was an experience. All the jitney drivers were talking to each other on the radio as if they were sitting around the table. Also there were only 2 speeds, stop and fast!

 This is just a facade along the entire block.


The boardwalk.



Does anyone know what this is?


We were at the Golden Nugget casino and Farley's marina.





This is the owner of the casino's yacht. It took the crew of 4 all day to wash it! It's named Boardwalk.

Looking across at the casinos.










With weather approaching until early next week, we decided to resume our northern trek. The initial plan was to head for Manasquan inlet, about 55 miles north with a contingency to continue the 100+ miles into New York City weather and seas permitting. We left at 610 am Thur. with very light winds and almost flat seas. It seemed like the entire New Jersey shoreline was 1 long deep beach. There were still so many damaged or destroyed homes and the bulldozers were seen everywhere pushing sand up into high dunes between the ocean and the homes.



We elected to continue to New York city and the Liberty Landing Marina. It was overcast as we approached but the skyline was still awesome to see. As we approached the entrance to the Hudson River the Verrazano Bridge towers over you. Entering New York Harbor there were ferries, both fast and slow, heading in all directions. We lucked out and didn't encounter any large freighters or cruise ships.





The skyline.




Verrazano Bridge.


Fort Hamilton at the entrance to the harbor just under the bridge.

The most magical part was passing the Statue of Liberty and Ellis Island. This is the sight that those millions of immigrants that formed this country first saw. It was hard to believe that we were there passing by in our own boat.




Just across the shore is Manhattan and the World Trade Center. We will visit here next week coming down by train from Croton. We are rained in today by Andrea.




Thursday, June 6, 2013

Check-in/OK message from SPOT Charis

Charis
Latitude:40.70984
Longitude:-74.04116
GPS location Date/Time:06/06/2013 17:51:28 EDT

Message:This is a SPOT Check-in/OK message. Ken & Ann are fine and having fun!

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Wednesday, June 5, 2013

Atlantic City, NJ

After looking at the weather reports yesterday in Cape May, we all decide to venture out and head for Atlantic City. We were the last of 7 as we needed fuel. By the time we got underway about 1030 the winds had died down and the seas were only 1-2'. It was a pleasant ride staying between 3/4 and 1 mile offshore.



Coast Guard Station Cape May



 Ocean City, NJ


Atlantic City



Charis in the slip.
New friends, Rick & Leila Minnis aboard Sun Gypsy

Tuesday, June 4, 2013

Check-in/OK message from SPOT Charis

Charis
Latitude:39.37786
Longitude:-74.42706
GPS location Date/Time:06/04/2013 16:15:59 EDT

Message:This is a SPOT Check-in/OK message. Ken & Ann are fine and having fun!

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Monday, June 3, 2013

Cape May, NJ

Yesterday we spent wandering around this quaint old town of Cape May. We took the historic district trolley tour and learned a lot. The main section of town burned in the great fire of 1878 so all the homes in that area were rebuilt since then. Cape May has the largest concentration of Victorian structures outside of San Francisco.



















There are over 600 Victorian historic homes.

Here are a few shots of the marina, Utsch's, pronounced Utches.





One street in town is a walking street with lots of shops and a few surprises from the past.





We had dinner at the Lobster House last night which was fabulous! Today, Mon., it has rained all day. we did laundry and some engine room chores. The winds offshore look like they will turn in a westerly direction tomorrow so we'll head to Atlantic City.






Sunday, June 2, 2013

Another day in Delaware City then on to Cape May

We were primed and ready to leave at 6 am Fri. morning. The waterway that the marina in Delaware City is very narrow and has a very swift current through it. The dock is very long down one side of it. Either upon arriving or departing, they have to spin the boat around so you are facing the Delaware river for departure. We were the first boat to arrive Thur. and I elected to dock in the direction of arrival. Everyone else coming in spun around as they arrived. No problem, I just had to be spun on departure. That said it was done and the staff is very skilled with using the current to do this. When we were facing the right direction and clear of the dock, the bow line was tossed to the boat. The problem was it didn't land on the boat but rather the water and we were drifting backwards with the current and the line and the bow thruster met. The thruster lost and quit. So we returned to the dock and spent another day. I did manage to get several maintenance items taken care of. Since it was Ann's birthday we decided to have dinner at the only full service restaurant Crabby Dick's. John and Barbara Albright from GO joined us and we had a wonderful time.

Ann with her birthday cake.








 A closer shot.

Ken getting a weather briefing from Tim the marina owner.






The trip down the Delaware river and bay were not as nice as the previous days runs but not uncomfortable. Winds picked up to about 15 kts and seas were choppy at 2'. We had the current with us a good bit of the time and pulled into Cape May at about 1245. The are 5 or 6 other looper boats here also. The AGLCA has a harbor host here which are volunteers that help other loopers. Rich and Carol Nick invited all of us to their home for cocktails at 330 pm and even picked us up. It was a great time meeting and talking to others.



Departing Delaware City


Ann encounter with a freighter in the ships channel. Note the red hull through the windshield.


Ship John Shoal light.

The Cape May to Lewes ferry just inside the Cape May canal. It decided to leave just as we were entering the canal.


Rich and Carol Nick









The group at the Nick's.







After the get together we had Rich drop us off at Cview restaurant for dinner with John and Barbara. Great food! We walked back to the marina and got a small glimpse of the area. It looks like the weather will be keeping us here for a while.

 John and Barbara

We couldn't get near here on Sat. night but will try another day. Great seafood store where we can stock up on fresh fish.

Saturday, June 1, 2013

Check-in/OK message from SPOT Charis

Charis
Latitude:38.95111
Longitude:-74.90582
GPS location Date/Time:06/01/2013 12:56:48 EDT

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