Our trip down the New Jersey coastline was a study in patience, and determination. It was an opportunity to meet new friends. It was a slow trip, it took longer than we expected, but along the way we enjoyed the sights and sounds of some of the places we have read about in planning this Retirement Dream Cruise on Board Obsession.
So, Zin has taken pen in hand, and singing in her best voice, she’ll tell you about The Jersey portion of our trip.
ZIN,“Row, row, row your boat, gently down the stream.
Merrily, merrily merrily merrily,
Life is but a dream.”
ZIN,“Make new friends, but keep the old
One is silver and the other is gold.”
Traveling in a sailboat is a slow way to get anywhere. Obsession only travels at 6.5 - 7 knots on a good day. It takes careful planning, studying, and much determination to get from one place to another.
The Windy App on their iPhones and iPad predicts wind and waves. It has proven to be a fairly reliable source of information.
When Obsession arrived in Atlantic Highlands Janice and David knew they would not be moving on for at least a few days. They were safely anchored in Bob423’s (a new friend we have yet to meet) Favorite Anchor Spot.
After having stayed in Port Washington for so long they were ready to continue on. It was three days later that they found a weather window that was favorable enough for an 81 mile, 11-12 hour trip down the coast to Atlantic City.
ZIN, “Row, row, row your boat...”
These two Canadian boats were moored near us in Port Washington. They anchored close by in Atlantic Highlands too. We haven’t seen them again. But I’m sure we will.
During the course of the three day wait Janice and David spent time meeting new friends and discussing possible options for the AH-AC trip. The sailing community is a friendly one, and they share and seek information, advice, stories and boat cards. Dave and Michelle arrived in Atlantic Highlands on “Half Baked”, another Catalina 42 on Monday. They had sailed their Catalina 42 from Lake Erie, through the locks (after un Stepping the mast) then The Hudson River (after re-Stepping the mast).
Janice and David spent Tuesday evening aboard their boat, sharing pasta, wine, and stories and a rainbow after a day of pouring rain. They made plans for an early morning departure for Atlantic City. It’s comforting to know there’s similar boat out there headed in the same direction.
ZIN, “Make new friends...”
The trip from to Atlantic City began at 6:40 am and ended at 5:40pm. A long, 11 hour day of motor-sailing. Despite concerns of high seas and winds, the conditions weren’t too bad.
ZIN, “Row, row, row your boat gently down the stream...”
It was September 19. Janice’s Birthday. The sunrise as they lifted anchor and headed for the tip of Sandy Hook gave promise of a good day. The long day was made more enjoyable for Janice because she received so many birthday wishes on FB as they headed down the coast. She also kept in touch with new friends (that she has never met in person) on FB reporting on conditions and offering encouragement.
ZIN, “Make new friends, but keep the old...”
Eleven hours later Obsession limped into the dock in Atlantic City. For the second time in 3 years the Raw Water Heat Exchanger let go. David caught it in time, they sailed the boat most of the way in, turned the engine back on just long enough to maneuver into the slip where friends were waiting to catch their lines.
ZIN, “Row, Row, Row your boat...Make new friends...”
New York City may be the city that never sleeps, but, Atlantic City is the city with many lights. Janice loves lights. Any kind of lights.
The pool at The Golden Nugget
Obsession Constellation all solar powered)
And for the next 3 days she and David tried to enjoy the lights of The Farley Marina at The Golden Nugget Casino and some of the amenities.
The view of the marina from our table at the Chart House.
ZIN, “Row, Row, Row your boat, gently down the stream, merrily, merrily, merrily, life is but a dream.”
After a visit with Bill James, a high school classmate of Janice’s, and meeting a new friend, Mark, the mechanic, Obsession was back in running condition and ready to go the next day.
ZIN, “Make new friends, but keep the old, one is silver, the other is gold.”
It was difficult to get a picture of Atlantic City as we left and It was
another extremely slow trip to Cape May. The rain and waves made for a long and lumpy 6 hours.
ZIN, “Row. Row, Row your boat...”
This boat was also anchored near us in Atlantic Highlands. Janice and Lisa chatted on FB a few times over the two days we were at anchor in Cape May. We probably will see them again. Two days of rain and howling winds. Sleeping wasn’t easy. Janice spent time on FB sharing weather conditions with others traveling the New Jersey Coast. Once the rain and wind ended they headed to Utsch’s Marina for fuel, water, a walk on solid, non-moving ground and a quiet night dockside.
Sunset from the Marina
It’s a friendly marina, (but a bear to maneuver in) with helpful workers and other travelers waiting for a window to travel. We met Ken and Connie and Dorothy on “OZ” a Gulfstar 44. They are headed North back to Toronto where Oz will be put on the market. Her owners are moving on. They are going to buy an RV and travel on the cement highway.
ZIN, “Make new friends...”
The trip around Cape May was not nearly as treacherous as Janice feared, but still more than 6 hours. David’s outlook was much more optimistic, and his predictions proved true. We pushed on to Cohansey Cove.
This is a screenshot of our track into Cohansey Cove and where we ended up anchoring. We weathered a thunderstorm and heavy rain in this very protected anchorage.
Blue skies, sunshine, light winds, calm seas. Many lighthouses and large ships.
Cohansey Cove was a respite from all the anxiety of Atlantic City and Cape May.
ZIN, “Row, Row, Row your boat gently down the stream. Merrily, merrily merrily life is but a dream.”
Sunrise as we left Cohansey Cove for Chesapeake City. Janice and David were really energized by a perfect forecast of wind, waves, tide and clear skies.
The presence of dozens of tankers, cargo ships, tugs and barges is a bit overwhelming, but they also serve as a guide and companion in this huge, heavily traveled Delaware River. Calls on the radio are answered with prompt and concise information.
ZIN, “Make new friends...”
The C&D Canal was a beautiful ride, with lush green scenery, a few boats passing by (most boats travel with the tide like we were), 6 bridges.
It is similar in design as the Cape Cod Canal. Janice and David were finally relaxed.
With the favorable current they made a quick passage and anchored in picturesque Chesapeake City.
ZIN, “Row, Row, Row your boat gently down the stream. Merrily, merrily merrily life is but a dream.”
Chesapeake City is a quaint, picturesque, sleepy kind of town. The 18th century houses with brightly colored flowers in window boxes, wooden park benches, beautifully manicured lawns and gardens remind me of my Snow Village. It’s a compact little town with a FREE town dock and promenade. Lots of fun things to explore.
We are anxious to meet up with old friends, Toby and Rachel Barrett in Hampton, VA, Bill and Jane Mather in NC, Bill and Carol Chace in SC and more we hope.
And new friends, Arlene and Bob Prescott, Merri and Doug Purdy, Melvin Buster Bellwood and so many more that we will share stories and boat cards with.
MAKE NEW FRIENDS BUT KEEP THE OLD. ONE IS SILVER AND THE OTHER IS GOLD!
We have FINALLY escaped New Jersey, barely touched Delaware and are now in Maryland. The total trip from Atlantic Highlands to Chesapeake City by the numbers can be summed up this way: (estimates-not exact numbers)
Miles traveled- 200
Hours traveled - 30
Fuel Consumption - 40 gallons (one full tank)
Water consumption - 4 cases plus ten 1 gallon jugs (for coffee and ice cubes)
Twizzlers consumed - 2 bags
Wine and Rum Consumption-we won’t tell!
Money spent-PRICELESS
ROW, ROW, ROW YOUR BOAT GENTLY DOWN THE STREAM. MERRILY, MERRILY, MERRILY, LIFE IS BUT A DREAM.
