SailThreeSheets.com

December 6
7:24 AM - OOPS! overslept! But we hopped into action and threw on our gear, fired up the engine, and the kettle, pulled up anchor and headed off. We motored along, under the Throgs Neck and along the East River, waiting out a NOAA boat, a DEP boat and one other barge headed into the city.  We motored along passing easily through Hell Gate and gliding down the East River alongside New York City. I called Liz when we got to the 50’s, even through I knew she was on the West Side and wouldn’t be able to see us, it was still nice to be in close proximity We passed along NY’s famous skyline - with me taking a picture for the Carat folks of the office from the river (to be posted later) and as we slipped along the passage to the Narrows, we had a beautiful view of the Statue of Liberty.  We got passed by two SeaStreak ferries, the second time it was actually the Vineyard Express and we got a little wave from Pat at the helm (see below about our “buzz” from the Whaling City Express on our way out of New Bedford).  We continued on through the Narrows, and out into the Atlantic, hugging the coast with me at the helm.  Meanwhile, the guys were listening in on weather and wind reports to make a determination about our next port… should we put in at Sandy Hook or were we going to be able to make a run along the coast down to Atlantic City…

Brian came up to relieve me at the helm, and Mark Joined us so that we could discuss out next course.  Based on the info that we had, the decision was that it would be best if we could make it to Atlantic City, sailing through the night, and to sit out the predicted gale that was headed our way in 24-36 hours in the shelter of the Farley State Marina. So on we went, passing Sandy Hook and sailing close hauled a couple of miles out down along the coast line.  We were making pretty good speed all things considered, and knew that if we made this decision we had to commit to it, as there is no safe harbor to duck into between Sandy Hook and Atlantic City.  As it grew dark, it also began to get quite a bit colder.  I made up some light dinner for us, and when I went to retrieve Mark’s plate from him (as he was at the helm) I found him using it as a block to keep the SNOW off of him! Ugh, this is taking it to a new level!  Sailing in snow!  Fortunately the snow itself didn’t last too long.  When Brian went up to relieve Mark, I tucked in for a nap, awakening at about 4 AM as we were getting closer to AC, and Mark went up to relieve Brian.   More coffee… I think that our coffee consumption on this trip has been extraordinary - thank goodness that Mom and Dad and Liz solved that problem for us with a new french press (since our old one is completely MIA) because I don’t know what we’d do if we couldn’t have coffee both for the caffine and the warmth! With the lights of AC ahead of us, and a smooth approach into their safe breakwaters, we doused the sails, and I relieved Mark and piloted us in to the channel.  We approached the State Marina, and hailed them on the VHF, with no response (it was 6 AM) we made the decision to put in at their docks in one of the many open slips, and to catch a few zzzz before going and checking in with the front desk.  Mark brought us safely into a slip, we tied up, and tucked into bed for a few hours.  At about 9:30, I heard Mark stirring in the main salon, so I got up and went outside with him to add a couple more lines and to make sure we were snugged down for the rising winds.  Since I’d had more sleep than the guys the night before, I was tuly up, so I donned on a couple more layers (it was REALLY cold) and walked up to the front desk to see about getting ourselves checked in.

Check in achieved, I went and made use of the ample hot water at the facilities to take a really long really hot shower (in a shower built for people about 6″ shorter than I am) but it was still really nice and hot.  After getting cleaned up and nearly falling on my butt trying to blow dry my hair - note to all, if your equilibrium has been adjusted to being on a boat, do yourself a favor and lean against a wall BEFORE you bend over to try to blow dry your hair - I went back down to the boat where both guys were soundly asleep. I decided that rather than sit in the boat in the cold, I’d walk up to the casino and do some people watching and get a cup of hot coffee while I walked around.  Interesting people watching for sure! After thoroughly warming up, I went back down to the boat to wake the guys up, as it was about 3PM, and while we were planning to stay overnight, I figured we should make some use of the daylight hours if we were going to do any errands or anything of the kind.  The decision was made to opt for showers and laundry, and then dinner at the Hooters in the casino where we could watch some football followed by a relatively early turn in so that we could make headway the next morning for Cape May.

We got up in the morning to a VERY cold and clear day… we had frost on the inside of the v-berth hatch!! and set about heading south to Cape May.  Our trip to Cape May was a cold but uneventful trip, and we put into Cape May just before dark and as the wind was beginning to shift to the South, and dropped anchor in the recommended anchorage right beside the Coast Guard facility.  We finally have the oven part of our stove working properly (yay Brian!) so we cooked up some nice steak tips under the broiler and had a good dinner before turning in for the night.

When we got up in the morning, the wind was still South, so we put in at the recommended marina Utsch’s, where we could get a rental car to run some errands and to make the drive to Rockville to see Regina!   So far on our trip, of all the places we’ve anchored or put in, Utsch’s gets our top rating!  1) they are extremely nice 2) they are extremely helpful 3) not only are they reasonably priced, for dockage, supplies, gas etc… but they also gave us a welcome packet with info on the area, a bottle of wine, and some cookies!!  And did I say this yet?? they couldn’t have been NICER!!  While we had a little challenge getting into their harbor, once we got in there they helped us to tie up, and I went off with the nice people from Enterprise to get our rental car for the next 24 hours.