ANTICIPATION

ANTICIPATION

By Carly Simon

We can never know about the days to come

But we think about them anyway

And I wonder if I'm really with you now

Or just chasin' after some finer day

Anticipation, anticipation

Is makin' me late

Is keepin' me waitin'

Anticipation.

Finding the right word/words to describe this Dream Retirement Cruise is difficult, but as we traveled closer and closer to Rhode Island not only did the word Anticipation come to mind but also Carly Simon’s song, Anticipation.

Obsession sailing “wing on wing” up the Jersey Coast 

The anticipation started to build as we approached the New Jersey Coast. It was a concern for us. That part of our trip in the fall was marked with an engine failure; an unexpected and expensive repair that we thought might impact our trip financially,  if not force us to cancel our trip for a third time. We persevered, and 9 months later we find ourselves traveling with new friends, in good weather, and with an engine that will get us back to Newport and more. 

Obsession passing a freighter in Delaware Bay

Anticipation. 

Traveling through The Narrows, Hells Gate and the East River to Port Washington this time around seemed like a piece of cake. Last summer and fall we spent day after day studying charts, 

The New York Skyline and “the purple road”

the Eldridge, and working out the perfect time to travel through what we thought would be a treacherous area. This time around the planning was so much simpler. Using  Navionics and Aqua Map and Windy apps on our phones and iPad are second nature to us now, and again, we timed it right and we were able to sit back and enjoy the ride. 

The new World Trade Center

Anticipation. 

Last fall we traveled down Long Island Sound to Port Washington alone with the anticipation of meeting Catalina 42 owners Bob and Ann Snider in Northport and Dave Schiever and Michelle McTygue on Half Baked from Lake Erie, and Doug and Merri Purdy on Purdy Suite from Lake Champlain. And that we did! We enjoyed a lobster dinner with Bob and Ann in Northport, traveled with Michelle and Dave from Atlantic Highlands to Solomon’s where we met up with the Purdys and all 3 boats traveled together on and off to Belhaven. 

We had over a knot of current with us 

traveling through Hell’s Gate

We thought our trip home from Vero Beach would be lonely too, because we were so late in leaving. We met many traveling companions along the way, traveled with them a day or so then parted ways. 

The PT Barnum Ferry in Port Jefferson

However, this spring/summer we met Jim and Kelly Horan on their Lord Nelson 42, Fairwind, and have enjoyed sharing our Delaware Bay, New Jersey, NYC experiences and local knowledge of Long Island Sound with them.  We will say, “See ‘ya later.” to them as they travel on to Buzzards Bay and Jim’s childhood home of Padanaram, and we head to Newport, Obsession’s home.  We will meet up in Cuttyhunk later this summer, for sure!

S/V Fairwind-Kelly and Jim Horan

Anticipation.

Weather happens. Hurricanes too. Our late summer/early fall travels were affected by weather delays and 2 hurricanes. We sat out Hurricane Florence in Port Washington where we learned how to shop (we each carry only 2 bags and visit the store multiple times). We learned how to use Uber, and public transportation, and most important, how to practice patience.  Those 10 days seemed endless, but we made the best of them.  Unlike Hurricane Florence that dumped rain on us for days and kicked up high waves in Long Island Sound, Hurricane Michael was short lived with high winds and heavy rain over the course of the one night we were dockside in Solomon’s. 

In contrast, our trip north we have had many days with the threat of thunderstorms. All along the Jersey Coast and Long Island Sound these past two weeks we’ve managed to dodge them. Sometimes leaving port early, sometimes stopping early, sometimes not traveling at all. The worst arrived our last night in Block Island.  We were safe, on a mooring, and watched the “show”  from our enclosed cockpit. 

WELCOME HOME! 

Waiting for the thunderstorm to reach

 us in Block Island

Anticipation. 

So, technically our Dream Retirement Cruise has come full circle. We left Newport early last August to enjoy a last visit to the Vineyard,and Cuttyhunk, then headed to Block Island where we officially turned south. We left with joy and anticipation of sailing to new ports and harbors. 

Atlantic City-the City with Lights all Night

And it is with joy and anticipation that we have returned to travel and sail our familiar home waters and visit our favorite ports and harbors. Although this journey has come to an end we are looking forward to a summer of visiting Cuttyhunk, Block Island, The Vineyard and Narragansett Bay. The Travels Aboard Obsession Blog will continue until Obsession is sold. The For Sale sign is on her bow, and we are discussing our plans for our Travels After Obsession. Thanks for traveling with us. I hope you enjoyed it as much as we did! And I hope you will continue to Travel with us Aboard Obsession and After Obsession. 

Obsession arriving in Newport Harbor

And tomorrow we might not be together

I'm no prophet and I don't know nature's ways

So I'll try and see into your eyes right now

And stay right here 'cause these are the good old days

And stay right here 'cause these are the good old days

Anticipation, anticipation

Is makin' me late

Is keepin' me waitin'

ANTICIPATION