Delaware Bay, C & D Canal

Today the Delaware and the C & D canal. We left the Cape May Inlet at 7:00 am and went through the Cape May Canal. We had the tides on our side and slid through doing 9 knots. When we came out the other side and turned up Delaware Bay, Dave put up the small jib sail that we brought for just this purpose. We had a southwest wind that pulled us along at a brisk 10 knots. Really felt like we were flying. Its not really that fast, just about 14 miles an hour but on the water - for us - that's fast. The tide stayed with us the entire route and brought us to the C & D canal at noon. The sail had to be brought in and there was some busy time while Dave took the sail in, brought the stabilizer arms up and tried to keep a steady course. He's a good mariner and I have to admit I'm not much help. I hope I'm learning. I need to get the hang of tying up properly, so as not to embarrass ourselves and keep us safe. I get anxious when entering port, leaving port, navigating and just about everything else that goes with the mariner's life. The only time I'm truly relaxed is when we tie up. Dave says I'll get better at it. At least I've not been seasick on this trip and I stopped taking Bonnine. We are currently tied into the Chesapeake Inn, Restaurant and Marina. Had a great hot shower, nice lunch out (shrimp, crab cakes and salad and a beer (to calm my nerves). Now I'm back at the keyboard where I feel most comfortable. I have not written a word on the new book, although I have plenty of ideas in my head. The days fly by while I check the charts, watch the weather, wind and tides while planning our next stop. When I get really nervous I call my son, the professional mariner, and he tells me what I need to know. He's a peach. I can hardly believe we've been gone only 9 days, seems like a lifetime. We took a walk after lunch to the Municipal Marina on the other side and found out we could have tied up for free. Dave saw a boat and said, "That looks like Paul's boat, the 'Scup'. He's the assistant harbor master in Oak Bluffs, Martha's Vineyard." Well wouldn't you know but he was right on. We sat and talked with Paul for awhile, he's made this trip many times. He's heading for Key West and we hope we meet up with him again. If not it will be next spring in Oak Bluffs.
Early night for me tonight. The days run took 7 hours and now its time to rest.

Heading south

The Richard & Arnold has a lazy roll every time another ferry leaves the dock here in Atlantic Highlands, NJ in Sandy Hook. We came down the east river with the outgoing tide doing a brisk 10 knots. That's good going. I marveled at the UN building, saw a tram passing overhead from Manhattan to Governor's Island, was in awe of the Statue of Liberty, but nervous leaving the East River through 'the narrows' at lower Manhattan because I've never seen so much water traffic. Ferry boats to Staten Island, Tugs with barges, US Coast Guard, a couple of sailboats, tankers and us. We passed the four masted Peking docked alongside an old lightship and the Sherman Zwicker from Maine. I think that's how its spelled. All this and helicopters and airplanes overhead. I think we went under eight bridges today. We could see the traffic and marveled at how slow we moved in comparison. The day went smoothly, light winds, sun and we docked early. Last night we moored in City Island and walked around the town, visited the City Island Maritime Museum. Did you know that City Island is famous for building racing yachts like 'Freedom' that won the America's Cup. The town built many famous wooden sailing yachts, but when fiberglass took over the boat building industry and waterfront property became so valuable (1970-80's) the old boat yards began to close down. None of the big boat building yards have survived, but there is a sail maker there and a small travel lift for taking out boats. Barron's Boat yard, good people and the mooring was only $35 for the night. There is a full moon tonight and because we have a long ride tomorrow we will most likely leave around midnight to cruise the Jersey shore. It will most likely be 16 - 20 hour trip and we'd like to enter Cape May while there is still light. We shall see how it goes. Also the forecast is good weather for tomorrow and then Wednesday it turns yucky. We hope to make it in to port before the wind picks up and rain comes down.  I have asked myself why I choose to do this trip and I honestly don't know. It is something we've always talked about and now it's happening.
Living aboard is comfortable. We have everything we need and I'm content. Miss my grandkids like crazy, face-time works and I talk to them every other night. Well it's almost 8pm and I need to hit the bunk. Have safe travels out there in your cars going 60 miles an hour - I feel like a turtle.      

Slow start

Off to a slow start. We've said goodbye to our family, friends and neighbors.  Finally moved aboard only to be held up by winds blowing in excess of 35. Dave said there's no reason to beat up the old girl, that would be me not the boat  ( she can take it). We've had a comfy / cozy berth at the  wharf where the Hindu usually ties. The beautiful Hindu is on her way to Key West having left less than a week ago she is already in the Carolinas. Must be nice to have a great crew, including Mike Winkler and his son. They do watches, 24/ 7 and just keep going. They will be there before we leave Massachusetts. We'll do it our way; stopping every night in a new place. Taking in the sights, meeting new friends, and enjoying each day. The Richard & Arnold is as prepared as she can be. Tanks full, plenty of water, gas and food. I've learned how to use my phone as a hot spot so I can send out emails, check the weather, blog and do everything I could do from land. The only things my floating home lacks are: TV (don't miss it one bit), a dishwasher (using less dishes anyway), washing machine (we can wear our clothes a little longer). We are anxious to cast off and it looks like Wednesday AM we will be heading for the Cape Cod Canal. I hope to keep my friends informed of our travels and add a few pics as we go along, I will post a blog weekly. We are heading to Martha's Vineyard for our first stop, after that we'll check the charts, tides and weather each night, and then select the next stop.

Moving ahead and Making ready

Want to mention that I will be speaking and reading from The Fishermen's Ball on Tuesday, October 6, 2015 at the Truro Public Library at 6:30 pm. WOW that's tomorrow. Hope to see you there. This will be the last public speaking engagement for awhile. It's stressful for me, I get nervous. I try to remember what Jerry Sinfeld said, "A survey was taken of the American public, asked what was their greatest fear, the #1 answer was public speaking, #2 was death. So Jerry said, People would rather be in the coffin than giving the eulogy." I guess I'd rather stand up and give the eulogy.

On the home front we are preparing to let go the lines and head the boat south to warmer waters for the winter. This will be the first time since 1981 that Dave and I have ventured forth on the water for an extended cruise. There are similarities but also this will be very different. We've been preparing the boat and ourselves. The Richard & Arnold has new batteries, inverter, hot water heater, alternator, new stove and a freezer. Today Dave is cleaning up his tools and making room for the freezer. I think the boat will do fine. I've got plenty of Bonine, so I'm ready. We will be moving aboard next week, I hope. We need to store gear: clothing, food, kitchen equipment and all the rest of the amenities that make living aboard possible, like flash-lights, netting, bungie cords, binoculars, air horn, survival suits, and a thousand other items that will keep us safe, warm and dry. The past week we put sound-down on the ceilings of the engine room and sound proofing floor mats for the wheel house, I'm hoping I wont't need ear plugs. We purchased, via Craig's list, two new wheelhouse chairs. These are  bucket seats out of a Honda Oddessey, never used, like new, with arm rests! Dave said it's a good thing he didn't have them last summer when he was fishing, he'd probably have fallen asleep at the helm. This is the first time in the 33 years that we have owned the Richard & Arnold that I have my own seat in the wheelhouse. Dave hopes this isn't going to lead to a mutiny.
A couple of days ago we learned that we couldn't take the tracking device off the boat for the winter, we thought because we were heading to Florida for vacation and there would be no fishing that we could just unplug the thing. No such luck, so now we are installing a new, mandated new, tracking device that will track our every move. And we thought Big Brother was a myth.
I have to sign off for now, my granddaughter is on the couch with a sore throat, needs some TLC. She hates the idea that her Nonnie is leaving for the winter. I will keep in touch as we journey south. Fair winds.