The Keys, Florida is long, the Panhandle

The week of September 21, 2015

Sometimes it is nice to have unlimited mileage on a rental car.  After a couple of days at home, I made a round trip to Miami for a doctor's appointment, and then drove up the state.

Remarkable events of the week would have to include a ride on the motorcycle.  I lovingly uncovered my Suzuki S83, and was glad that Bob had put the smart charge on her and had run here a little bit a couple of weeks ago.  I was a little surprised that the gas tank was low, as I thought I'd topped it off with non-ethanol gas before leaving, to keep the tank from rusting.  I decided that in my last minute getting ready, that I must not have.

I grabbed my jacket, and helmet, and headed towards Big Pine for non-ethanol gas. It was the week of the Poker Run, and there were hundreds of bikes on the road.  I waved at everybody, as they were all headed south.  I pulled into the gas station, and got gas, and continued on up to a local store.  When I came out of the store, I stood beside the bike to start it, something I never do, I almost always straddle it.  From my vantage point, I could see gasoline dribbling down to the muffler.  I promptly shut the engine down, and examined the deteriorated gas line, that had punctured at a clamp.  I thanked the Lord that I had not ridden on, where the gasoline could have ignited against the hot muffler, putting me with a gas tank between my legs.  I called Rudy, who is keeping my truck running by using it occasionally, and he came and picked me up.  I went and grabbed the bike trailer, and Rudy helped me load her, and I went home, and lovingly covered up the bike to change the gas lines on my return.  I could go into a rant right here about ethanol, and its economic and dangerous impact, but, I'll let it go.

My Dr.'s appointment went well in Miami, using the rental car, instead of the bike, and on Wednesday, I crossed the State to Dad's.

For those with aging parents, you can appreciate the decisions one has to make when an intervention is required concerning independent living, and driving privileges.  I'm not very popular around here right now.  It is rough to be perceived as the bad guy when your motives are right.

Thanks for all the emails and phone calls of friends this past week!

I have to tell you about an email the blog got today.  Those English teachers who sometimes encourage me to correct my grammar should get a smile out of this.

The email came as an offer from someone who I could hire to write the blog for me.  I can see where that would be exceeding difficult, since I generally write about places and events as I pass through an area.  I was amused that someone who would notice the blog wasn't getting updated with its regular frequency.  

I'm always careful checking out any link, but did read the individual's profile.  I will leave you with the following direct quote from his profile under "Interests."

"Writing became my hobby and desirable job since the graduation of the University.  My core competencies include the wide range types of writing.  I also a coach for writers, help them manage their time."

If anyone is interested in using his services, I can pass you his name....

Rhode River to Cambridge, MD to the Florida Keys

The week of 14 September, 2015

This post has very little to do with cruising, other than to demonstrate how cruising plans can change.  Recent events with my Dad in Florida have put a change in our cruising plans.  I plan to return to the boat in about a month.

I have tucked MERCY into a safe place, and am having the autopilot replaced while I drive south in a rental car.

On Wednesday morning, I left Maryland by car, with Mercy and Mocha, arriving in the Keys on Thursday.  

While coming home always feels good, it has been a zoo here trying to get various projects rounded up here.  Coming here first allowed me to keep a doctor's appt in Miami.  My plans, Lord willing, are to leave here on Wednesday, headed for Dad's, with the two dogs.  Ellen has been at Dad's for about ten days already.

We've had a great cruise this year, and plan to continue again in October.  We hope to fall in with the winter migration, as everyone heads south.  We missed seeing a lot of places we wanted to visit in New England, and won't have as much time to spend on the Chesapeake as we'd planned.  But, as it is frequently said in cruising, there are no schedules!!

Cape May, NJ, to Rhode River, MD

Sunday, 13 September, 2015

It is remarkable how much my life is timed by weather, tides, and currents.  There was a small craft advisory in effect for increasing afternoon winds out of the NW.  The current was flooding during the morning.  Timing for the Delaware Bay and the C & D canal were examined closely.

The most important things that I look at, is how to time the current at the mouth of the bay so that it is not opposing the wind, and at the funnel of the bay, I want the current pushing me.  

I eased out of Utsch's Marina at about 0410 and ran the canal in the dark.  Once away from Cape May, there isn't as much surrounding lighting to mess up navigation.  The opening in the railroad bridge was an area I was worried about, and it is actually easier to spot in the dark!  The roughest part of the trip was the hour after leaving the Cape May Canal into the Bay, and heading to the northwest.  We crossed the lower bay before too much current was running, and then rode the current all the way up, through the Delaware Bay, and through the C & D Canal.  As the winds increased, from the NW and West, we were tucked out of the wind, and enjoying a huge current push.  We rode the current to almost Annapolis before eventually losing the push.  

We eased down the coast to tuck up in Rhode River to anchor for the night.  N38 53.446'  W076 31.965'  It was about a 120nm day.

Brigantine Bay, NJ to Cape May, NJ

Saturday, 12 September, 2015

We departed our cozy little anchorage in Brigantine Bay around daylight.  The weather forecast called for an approaching front, with its wind and seas to increase by noon, and I wanted to be out of the Atlantic, and tucked into Cape May before it hit.

The gentle conditions made for a great run down the coast, while I kept a wary eye towards the ominous approaching clouds.

I love to explore new places, but, sometimes it is really nice to come back to something familiar, especially when looking to tuck in somewhere, weatherwise.

The timing worked out great!  We pulled into Utsch's Marina in Cape May to take on fuel, and were glad they had slip accommodations for the night.  The dogs were delighted to go ashore, and we walked around for about a half an hour before returning to the chores at hand.  I had just finished washing the salt off the boat when it began to rain.  The dogs used the rain as an excuse to nap while I changed the oil, and then took a shower.

I met a couple of great folks on the dock, who had arrived about the same time I had.  The trawler Lisa Morgan was tied up next to me, and the Grand Banks Crawdad was on the other side of them.   Mercy and Mocha enjoyed meeting another lab, Buddy, while the Crawdad's other boat dog, BooBoo wasn't so sure about being the only small dog in the group.

Gloria and Jim, from the Crawdad, and I went to the Lobsterhouse for supper.  There was about a 45 minute wait to eat, the place was that busy.  The time passed quickly looking at the old photographs on the wall, and visiting.  The food was good, and the serving sizes were larger than I could eat.  The Crawdad crew are loopers, and are currently headed south for the winter.  

We walked back to the marina in a light rain, and I made preparations for tomorrow's early start....

Tom's River, NJ, to Brigantine Bay, NJ

Friday, September 11, 2015

I awoke this morning after a peaceful sleep in a calm, quiet anchorage.     I was glad for the decision to come inside in the early afternoon, and once again there has been enough rain to de-salt the boat.

The forecasted wind and rain continued today, and the wind on my stern made a nice run down the Barnegat Bay.

The area around Little Egg has interesting shoaling.  Forget the chart, and follow the markers!

On the trip up, the black flies were so thick that we refused to open the screens long enough to get photos.  I did take a couple of photos today, and only saw a few flies on the windows.  Opening the screens for photos resulted in a couple coming in, but, at least they weren't the crazy, tormenting number from the first of July!

The weather forecast looks good for offshore in the morning, and since I reached Atlantic City at low tide, I stopped early to anchor in Brigantine Bay.

This is why you don't buy a vehicle you know the full history of!

Port Washington, NY, to Tom's River, NJ

Thursday, 10 September, 2015

I eased out of the Port Washington mooring basin about 0615, with a fully rinsed off vessel from the night's rain.  It was still raining lightly as I fell in with a lot of commercial traffic that was timing their passage, as was I, for the slack at Hell Gate.

We rode the current out the East River, past Manhattan, under the Verrazano-Narrows Bridge, through the Swash Channel, and out at Sandy Hook.  At times the rain reduced the visibility under a mile.

There were periodic weather warnings for high winds with the rain in the early morning, but by the time I was headed out Sandy Hook, the only warnings were flood advisories.

By afternoon, I entered the Manasquan inlet, about an hour and a half before slack current.  The inlets along the NJ coast, can be dangerous as the current falls into any easterly sea, and are better timed if you can enter with the current.  The swells had enough of a northerly component that I could angle down sea and then duck behind the jetty, and was glad to be out of the Atlantic again.  I had chosen not to continue south along the outside, though shorter, because of the ominous waves of rain in front of me, and I would have been at the Barnegat Inlet at the max ebb.  There was another 50-ish foot trawler, who had overtaken me a little before the inlet, who continued south along the coast.  I wondered how far we went, and how rough his ride was going to be in the increasing afternoon winds.

I went through the Manasquan Inlet, against the max current at the Point Pleasant Canal, and down the inside as far as Tom's River.  I saw two other boats underway in the rain.  I was glad to be in the calm, inside waters!  By the time I got to Tom's River, with the billowing clouds to the south, I decided to go drop the hook.

As I was going in, I heard a single engine plane had just gone down to the south, just off Atlantic City.  I was hoping there were boats nearby to help.  

I anchored off Money Island in Tom's River.72.6 nm today

Newport, Point Judith, Port Washington

9 September, 2015

I eased out of the slip a little before daylight, to take advantage of the early morning's lighter winds.  This time going out, I went through the main channel at the high spot in the bridge, and headed around Bull Point, where it was light enough to see the shoreline clearly.  Then it was pretty much a straight shot for Point Judith, where I ducked into the opening on the eastern side of the breakwater, and up the river to Point Judith marina to take on fuel. 

The Point Judith marina is large, has good floating docks, and the cheapest fuel around the area.  ($2.10/gal plus RI tax.)  No one was around when I docked, and they didn't answer the radio, but, by the time I'd tied up, and grabbed the phone to call, someone was there.  After taking on fuel, and topping off the gas tank for the dinghy, the dogs and I walked around a bit to stretch before the long day.

I was watching a weather window open and close for the NJ coast, where at the least, this boat must go offshore between Sandy Hook and Manasquan Inlet, and again between Atlantic City and Cape May.  I planned to make a long day to Port Washington.

I went out the western opening in the breakwater, and headed for Watch Hill Point.  I was surprised how much sandy beach was along the coast.  It was nice to be able to see the coast, as when we'd passed through Watch Hill Point last, it had been very foggy.

I would have liked to make a direct pass through the Race, to run up Long Island Sound, but, would have been hitting it about the time of the 4.3 kt max current for the day hitting us on the nose.  Instead, I ran close in by Fisher Island, enjoying the break from the southwest sea, and then changing course for Port Washington, NY, about a WSW angle.

It was afternoon before the current changed in my direction, which while welcome, also made for a shorter chop.  I angled a little more to the SW as the winds picked up, putting us in the lee of the high hills of Long Island.  We paralleled the coast, staying within a mile to a mile and half off.

By the time darkness fell, the seas were knocked down, there were very few traps, and the current was giving us a great push.  I was glad to be able to pull into a calm, familiar harbor at Port Washington.  As I idled in, I saw a couple of empty transient moorings to the right of the channel.  The first one I went to had no painter, but the second one I eased up to did.  

It was warm and still when I hit the rack, which was shortly after taking the mooring.  I scrambled out of bed as torrential rain began, to close the hatches.  I don't think from the time I woke up until the time I'd closed 20 skylights, and portholes, and doors, and was back asleep was more than a couple of minutes.  I was tired!    128.5 nm today.

Newport, RI

Newport, RI

8 September, 2015

A lot has transpired the past few weeks that change our cruising plans.  My Dad is having a few problems, and we are going south to help him out.

Ellen is flying out on the 9th, to go stay with Dad.

I am taking the boat south towards Norfolk with a canine crew, my dog, Mercy, and Ellen's dog, Mocha.  Plans are to dock the vessel for a month where it won't have to be winterized for a month, and drive south for a few weeks to Dad's.

I plan to be covering ground a little faster than we did coming up, but will try to keep the blog a little better than I have this past week.

Hadley's Cove, MA to Newport Naval Base, RI

Thursday, 3 September, 2015

We left Hadley's Cove this morning while the wind was barely blowing.  The wind was forecast to pick up, and I wanted to get across Buzzard's Bay before the  winds increased, and the current began ebbing into it.  

We headed southwest between the shore and Weepecket Islands before changing our course more westerly, passing south of the Wildcat, Schuyler Ledge, but north of Seal Ledge, so we could look at the houses along the shore.  

It was a little hazy, but, I will tell you there are mansions along the shore bigger than hotels!

We passed the Castle Hill Light as we entered the East Passage Inlet towards Newport.

We HAD to do the drive-by of Newport!  We tucked in behind Fort Adams, and you can't believe the boats!  Bodacious yachts!  Trawlers! Sailboats!  Go-fasts!  Big boats, tiny boats... you get the idea.  There were more big yachts here than I've seen since Fort Lauderdale in the winter.

After we circled the Newport Harbor, we headed for the Newport Naval Station, home of the Navy War College, among other things.  We passed between between Rose Island and Goat Island, passing under the Claiborne Pell Bridge to the west of Gull Rocks, where there are no height indicators, but, there was plenty of air draft for 20' and then some.

We entered the Coaster's Harbor at the base, and took our reserved mooring.  I suspect this mooring would be uncomfortable here in a heavy southwest blow, but, we are here to ride out a NE blow, and it is great for that!

Hadley's Cove, Lake Tashmoo, and Martha's Vineyard

Wednesday, 2 August, 2015

We left Hadley's Cove this morning to time our passing through the cut out Wood's Hole around slack current.  

We want to see Wood's Hole, but, we may save that for another time.

We crossed Vineyard Sound, and went into Lake Tashmoo.  I had heard reports of shoaling, but, arrived on a minus tide, and never saw less than 7' by entering from the NE and keeping to the northeast side while entering.

We anchored in Lake Tashmoo, where there is still room to anchor out of the channel, near the moorings in the SW part of the bay.  We launched the dinghy and went ashore at the town dock on the eastern side of the bay.

Ellen walked up to Vineyard Haven, a little over a mile through a residential area.  Then she got on a bus to Oak Bluff, to visit the country's oldest working carousel, "The Flying Horses."   

Then she caught the bus to Edgartown.  An all day bus pass is $5 for seniors, $8 for adults.  

The dogs and I did work on the boat.

When she returned, we crossed the Sound at slack current, knowing that when the current started heading into the 17 knot wind, it would be getting rough!  We had a great crossing back to Wood's Hole.

We grabbed a mooring in Hadley Cove.  The moorings are marked, "Private" and are installed by the Forbe's to accommodate a reasonable amount of boats without the anchor drills that seem to occur when tides change and winds pick up.  It also allows them to keep a fairway clear for boats to come and go.  You are allowed to grab a mooring on a first come, first served basis.  It was a great place to be in the southwest winds for the evening.

Gloucester, MA to Hadley's Hrbr, MA

Tuesday, 1 September, 2015

We said farewell to the Gloucester Harbor this morning, and began heading across the Stellwagen Bank towards Provincetown, in the hopes of seeing whales.  Several people had told me there were currently lots of humpbacks in the area immediately north of Provincetown.  They were right!

We saw at least 6 different groups of humpbacks, as well as some porpoise and (I think) pilot whales.

The humpbacks are the most fun to watch!  They lay on the top of the water on their sides or back, and pound the water with their fins, making huge splashes!  

This also makes them some of the easiest to spot, since they wave that fin flagging for attention.

We saw one momma with her two babies (huge!) and we were close enough to the PA on a whale watch boat that I could hear their guide explaining how momma was diving... watch the babies.  Now, in a few minutes, momma will come up, fall on her back, big splash.  (Momma did)  Now, watch the babies try...  I don't know if her timing is always that good, but the babies tried almost like it was choreographed!  

My camera sort of bit the dust yesterday (too many splashes of salt spray?) and Ellen valiantly attempted to catch the action with her camera, grumping about the sea swells, and her timing.  So glad for the app on my iPad that easily puts the horizon flat, and allows you to zoom in and put the whale in the center part of the photo!

After a great time spent with the whales, we turned towards Cape Cod Canal.  We had planned to anchor at Provincetown, but, instead decided to go through that evening rather than wait until the current was in our favorite the following afternoon.

We rode the current through the canal, and went to Hadley's Harbor, across from Wood's Hole.  We rafted with our new friends on the S/V Daruma, who were on a mooring in the back of the harbor.  It was a nice treat after a long day!