A Good Ol' Nor' Easter

Sat, 10/7/06
Atlantic City, NJ
0 hrs, 0 mi,

We’re going nowhere!

The wind is blowing, the rain is falling, and it’s cold. Walking the dock is a challenge to keep from getting blown off. There is no way I can get the boat away from the pier, let alone go anywhere. The marine weather report is talking about 17’ + waves in the ocean, and the Weather Chanel is doing live coverage from about 20 mi south of here. In addition it’s a full moon and that means maximum tidal influences. It’s supposed to let up tonight and perhaps we can do the Intercostal to Cape May tomorrow.

As for my opinion of Atlantic City, well… At least at the Trump Marina, it clearly is not a Mecca for the beautiful people. Basically Terry and I are either 20 years younger and/or 60 lbs. lighter than anyone here. At one time we saw two life squads working on people within 20’ of each other. It wasn’t a scooter crash, because one was a leg injury and the other was hooked up to the EKG. I may have to take Terry to the ER due to injuries sustained when he was trampled by a rush on the buffet caused by a rumor that they were running out of crab legs. In addition the people are all just too darn serious. We have been trying, without success, to spot one person with a smile. Terry says that this is typical for New Jersey, and he should know since he grew up here.

All in all it was a good day for naps and reading. Especially since I brought a cold back with me from Toledo.

Hopefully tomorrow will be a better day and we can get out of here.

Back at It

Sun, 10/6/06
Maumee, OH to Atlantic City, NJ
5 hrs, 575 mi,

I left Maumee this morning at 4:00 AM and flew back to Atlantic City to resume the southern migration. The bills are paid, esential business taken care of, meetings attended, and time spent in with friends and family.

It’s strange; but I can’t decide whether I left home, or came home. I’ve gotten quite used to being on the boat.

One interesting result of the travels so far, has been that while I was in the condo I was again aware of the fantastic view I have from my porch.


I left Toledo around 4:00 AM and arrived in Atlantic City about 9:00 AM as the weather was beginning to change. The clouds, rain, and wind built all day and by 9:00 PM when Terry arrived it was a full blown Northeaster. The winds were 20 – 30 MPH with gusts over 60. Canvas was ripping off boats and even in the harbor there were whitecaps and the boat was rocking and rolling at the dock. Nobody is moving, and there are little or no signs of life on the docks. I’m one of the few staying onboard in a large marina.

I seriously doubt that we’re going anywhere tomorrow. It might get better in the afternoon, but I’m not counting on it.

Back in the Atlantic

Fri, 9/28/06
Jersey City, NJ to Atlantic City, NJ
5.25 hrs, 106 mi,

Well, it looks like today is going to be my best shot to get to Atlantic City. The sky looks threatening, but the forecast says it should be clearing. The wave heights are forecasted at 3 – 5 ft; but that’s better than the 4 – 7 forecasted for the weekend. Plus I really don’t enjoy the city, so I’m out of here.

Brad and Raymond get in a cab to the airport at 8:30 AM and by 9:15 I’m in the river headed into the harbor.

The harbor is a little choppy and crowed with barges, Coast Guard and security boats, pilot boats, and a few moored freighters. As I enter the Sandy Hook Channel, I can see 3 or 4 freighters coming in the main channel; so I got out just in time. The track line on my chart plotter is all over the place as it is.

The farther I get out of the city the skies begin to clear

and soon after clearing Sandy Hook Point and heading south down the Jersey shore it clears up.

The wind is offshore and if I stay about 3 mi offshore the chop isn’t too bad. Further out it’s a little rough, 5+ ft.

I swear the boat knows it’s back in the ocean. It just seems to be running smoother and rolling with the waves. It just feels like a thoroughbred racing down the coast. If you couldn’t tell, this leg is a chance for the boat and I to do a little bonding.

Along the way I pass a couple of big yachts and 3 or 4 large sailboats headed south, and I see more ocean tugs with barges heading north a couple of miles further out. It’s turned out to be a very pleasant day for me.

About 2:00 PM I approach Atlantic City

And by 2:30 PM I’m tied up at the Farley State Marina

Also known as the Trump Marina since it’s connected to, and run as part of, the Trump Marina hotel and casino. Which is different than the Trump Palace or the Trump Taj Mahal hotels and casinos on the boardwalk.

Actually the marina is a couple of miles from the boardwalk thru neighborhoods that you are advised to stay out of.

I’ve forgotten what it’s like to be the small boat on the dock, since in the great lakes 42’ is considered quite large; but my ego isn’t affected, and I really love my boat.

Well, I’m out of here and headed home to catch up on the mail and bills, before returning and starting the southern leg of the trip. I’ve really gotten use to and enjoy this life and would like to keep going. I have yet to feel any boredom or any desire to be doing anything else.

I'm glad the trip home is only a few days.

Into "The City"

Thurs, 9/28/06
Stoney Point to Jersey City (New York City)
2.5 hrs, 54 mi,

Today it’s a short ride into NYC. Brad and Raymond have never been there and I think they are going to be surprised.

(Some of these NYC photos are from the spring trip, since both Brad and I don’t like watching the world thru a view finder, plus I’m busy driving in the traffic.)

Again this morning there is fog in the early morning,

But it clears before we depart at 9:15 AM.

For the first hour or so, we cruise pass the “bluffs”

Before passing under the Tapan Zee bridge

Which is considered the northern edge of the NYC.

After a few minutes we begin to see the city coming up in front of us

With the buildings in the distance and a steady increase in traffic in the river. It still amazes me how quickly we go from hills, trees, and nature, to concrete, steel, and people.

Since we are between morning and afternoon rush hours, the water taxi and ferry boat traffic is light, so we decide to do a little sightseeing.

We go on past Manhattan,

the Statue of Liberty

Ellis Island

And thru the harbor, out to the Verasono Bridge.

Then turn and head back in.

Headed for Liberty Landing Marina, behind the statue.

Well I’ve gotten a little over confident and the marina has a boat show this weekend, and there is no room for us, but they point us across the canal to another marina that can fit us in.

We take the last available slip and settle in around noon. After tying up and struggling to get electricity, we decide to take the water taxi into Manhattan. After all the time Dean spent on my boat this spring, the thing he really remembers is the water taxi in New York, and I think that Raymond is the same way.

We walked around the financial district awhile, past ground zero, grab a hot dog and some ice cream, walk the battery, Raymond and Brad spend some time in the playground, then we head back across the river to the boat. I think that both Brad and Raymond are suitably impressed; but the crowds and buildings are a little overwhelming for us simple country boys.

Since the security guard at the marina suggested we avoid the restaurant there, and we’ve had enough walking, it’s leftovers, showers and to bed.

Brad a Raymond’s original flight home tomorrow has been canceled, so they have an early flight out and have to go to Detroit by way of Minneapolis. It’s going to be a long day for them. Raymond has been a great kid the whole trip, and I’m amazed at his interest and how he has shown very few signs of boredom. All in all he’s been a great addition to the trip. As for Brad, well he’s Brad.

I have a couple of days to make a 4 -5 hr trip, by myself in the ocean, into Atlantic City; before I too head home for a couple of days. I’m watching the weather, and I’ll decide my next move in the morning.

The Middle Hudson

Wed, 9/27/06
Coeymans, NY to Stoney Point, NY
6.75 hrs, 96 mi,

When I woke up there was a light fog on the river,

But by 9:00 AM when we started out it had lifted.

The Hudson is truly a beautiful river,

with beautiful hills, and mountains in distance,

little lighthouses marking the way,

and the occasional “summer cottage” along the shore.

About 11:45 AM we left the Hudson and drove up the Rondout Creek

and into the little town of Kingston to tourist and stop for lunch.

What a nice little scenic town.

About 1:15 PM we were back in Hudson and headed south again. In addition to the beautiful scenery,

There are large ocean freighters and tugs pushing large barges up and down the river, to keep us company.

As the afternoon progressed we passed West Point,

And Pollepel’s island with it’s castle.

About 3:45 we rounded Stoney Point

And pulled into a marina for the night.

A little play time, a spaghetti dinner, homework, reading, and it’s off to bed.

It’s really hard to believe that we are less than 25 miles from Manhattan.

I know tommorrow is another day of contrasts.

Pointing South at Last

Tues, 9/25/06
Troy, NY to Coeymans, NY
1.75 hrs, 20 mi

Brad and his 7 yr old son Raymond arrived at the boat around noon. We weren’t sure what to do, so after they stowed their gear we went ashore and got some lunch. Since there really wasn’t much else to see, we started the engines and headed down the Hudson River for a little taste of what is in store for us.

Soon after leaving the Troy docks we passed the state capitol of Albany

with it’s big city feel.

And then it was into the Hudson that had amazed me during the spring trip.

Raymond discovered that the chartplotter was almost as much fun as a game boy.

He enjoyed trying to match the chart symbols such as buoys, wrecks, rocks, etc. with the real thing. He also did a pretty good job at the helm.

About 4:00 PM we decided to stop in the town of Coeymans (pronounced quemans) for the night.

Raymond played at the playground, we ate some sloppy joes and chips, did a little reading while Raymond did his homework, and it was off to bed.

What is before us the next few days was a real surprise for me when I came up in the spring and I am looking forward the return; and seeing Brad and Raymond’s reactions.