11/09/2009, Havre de Grace, MD
The above photo is of one of the many boats we had the pleasure of viewing on our way down the Hudson River.
This morning Captain Kevin gave Grace a bath, washing off the smutz and salt from her successful voyage here. We walked to breakfast at a yummy place in town, with real southern hospitality; talked with folks here at the marina regarding some work to be done on Grace while we are gone and when we return; borrowed the marina's courtesy van to take laundry to a "fluff and fold"; enjoyed ice cream sundaes in 72 degree sunshine; and prepped for the train ride to Vermont tomorrow.
Over the next few weeks we will continue to update the blog, although perhaps not daily. We will not bore you with the mundain details of sorting and getting rid of the rest of the stuff in the house in preparation for the closing of the sale; however, we will try to add in some photos, reflections, and reports from the trip that were left out when there was no WIFI.
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11/08/2009, Havre de Grace, MD
We have WIFI. The above photo is of the eagle who caught a fish off the side of Grace the day we left Whitehall, NY. More photos will be posted another time.
We left Chesapeake City at 8:30 AM and arrived at Havre de Grace at 12:30 PM today. During today's voyage we had several conversations with other sailors via the VHF Radio. One was a boat we were anchored near last night, Windsong; the kind gentleman congratulated us on our live-aboard decision as he has been living aboard his boat for ten years so far and spoke highly of the lifestyle. Another was Second Spree; Lisa and Craig became fast acquaintances as their home port is Tidewater Marina, where Grace will be for the next month. Thank you to Lisa and Craig for your many tips, the visit on your boat, but most of all for being so warmly kind and welcoming to us; we hope to see you again very soon!
As soon as we pulled in this afternoon, the layers could not be shed fast enough, as it was sunny, warm and beautiful all afternoon! The priorities since then have been: checking in and getting everything set with the marina for Grace's month long stay; long, hot showers; washing dishes; hi-tech computer set up (so we can post pictures and longer posts); and now treating ourselves to a dinner out.
We will probably be here with Grace for a day or two before heading to Vermont by train. More later...
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11/08/2009, Cape May, NJ (posted later, when WIFI available)
'Twas the night of a gale warning,and all through the boat
not a sailor was stirring, since the Captain's 100th look about.
When all of a sudden, there came a small "thud";
the Captain sprang up to see just what that noise was.
"Another boat just hit us", he calmly exclaimed.
It really is amazing how calm he remained.
We jumped to our feet, applying a layer of clothes,
donning glasses and shoes, to the cockpit we rose.
Still dark as the night was the other boat's cabin,
apparently we two were the only aware of what's happenin'.
Our air horn was repeatedly put to good use,
to arouse the lone soul on the boat whose anchor was lose.
"Good Morning!" was his greeting as he came up from below;
Debbie chuckled at the good nature he was not afraid to show.
The slender, white-haired fellow's boat was pristine and well equipped,
a vessel much newer, larger and heavier than our little ship.
Our Grace was further protected with fenders quickly hung about;
we repeatedly pushed the other boat off with not even a shout.
The other boat reportedly arrived at one o'clock in the morning;
alone on the boat, retrieving the anchor would require quite the contorting.
The other boat's captain suggested rafting up to Grace;
approval, oh no, was not the look on Captain Kevin's face.
To offer our aid, we would do in a moment,
but, to put two boats in danger would just not be prudent.
Possibly dismayed, or exhausted from a long passage perhaps,
the other captain showed no sign of making any effort to rectofy the mishap.
He asked if his boat hit us, and said he did not hear it;
we suggested a towboat, as we watched his boat drift.
Faster and faster his vessel headed toward nearby rocks,
he finally relented that requesting a tow would be tops.
A bonafide VHF radio call into the US Coast Guard was made,
we relayed information as dawn began to break.
Towboat US arrived on the scene and rescued the wayward vessel,
before hitting any rocks, or even pulling a muscle.
Scratching our heads, glad all was well and no damage was done,
into the cabin we descended, episode ending with the rising of the sun.
While you may doubt the authenticity, the above story is true;
it is all part of the adventure for me, for Grace, and for you!
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11/07/2009, Chesapeake City, MD
Following a calm and restful night, left Cape May at 6:30 AM.
Tide and wind were kind to us, thus our first Delaware Bay passage was a "breeze".
We motor sailed for a good portion of the day, hitting over 9 knots consistently.
Arrived at Chesapeake City at 3:00 PM.
Not much further tomorrow.
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11/06/2009, cape may
Hi friends and family, Capt Kevin here.
Our time at cape may has not been dull. We arrived just before 2 days of gale force winds. 30 to 40 mph wind speed. After traveling 22 hours down the coast, what we needed was sleep. What we got, well I was nervous about the winds. So I decided to set a 2nd anchor. We also stripped everything off the deck we could to reduce our potential to drag anchor. I also set our anchor alarm to beep if the boat moved beyond a 50 foot radius.
As we had our dinner and a cocktail I looked out and saw another sailboat which had been in front of us was now behind us, dragging badly. They struggled for a few hours to reset, I called the coastgaurd station in case they were needed. They finally got reset and stripped there decks like we had. We went to bed.
Most of the night I was awake checking out sounds and verifying our anchor was holding. Eventually I heard a different noise.
A boat that had come in about 1 am had set not enough anchor line out. Just about dawn he collided with us. We pulled on some clothes and got outside. Realizing he was still asleep we sounded our horn until he came out. He tiredly says good morning, did we collide? We did I told him. You better start your engine and try to reset. You are headed for the rocks.
He did nothing, just seemed really tired and confused.
Deb radioed the coast gaurd and we got a tow boat to come help. They got here just before he ran aground and towed him away.
Through all this, Graces anchors held firm. There was no damage. Captain and crew got some sleep.
Tomorrow we traverse Delaware bay
Kevin
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11/05/2009, Cape May, NJ
Left Atlantic Highlands 9:15 AM.
Very smooth introduction to coastal cruising initially, sandwiched with some other "stuff".
Motored through the night, with a watch rotation.
Lingered outside inlet entrance until daybreak.
Dropped the "hook" about 7:00 AM and went to sleep.
More when we have WIFI.
Probably here until Saturday AM.
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11/03/2009, On a Mooring at Atlantic Highlands, Sandy Hook, NJ
Since this is the first WIFI in several days, we are finally able to post a photo with this entry. The above photo was taken as we travelled past Ellis Island on Sunday morning. You can see the Statue of Liberty nicely framed within Grace's rigging.
During the preceding days while voyaging down the Hudson River, we were entertained by sights of trains, mansions, bridges, a variety of boats in a wide range of sizes, all surrounded in glowing fall foliage on the hillsides.
In NY Harbor we passed cruise ships, military ships, barges, tugs, water taxis, ferries, and were swarmed by hellicopters in the sky as we made our way down the shore of Manhattan, hugging the New Jersey side to stay out of everyone's way.
The last few days gave us a chance to stow things that were hurriedly placed on the boat, put Grace back together as a sailboat, and prepare for the upcoming leg of the journey.
Captain Kevin declared the "news" this morning, that there would be a shake-down sail; which was not only the first sail since the mast was stepped after travelling under the low bridges in the canal, but was also our first sail in about a month plus - what a wonderful sail it was! Grace sailed as if to say "now this is what I was made for"; she was smoothly traversing the waters on a sunny autumn day within sight of the NYC skyline.
We are now staged for our first coastal passage, offshore of the New Jersey coast. If the weather holds, we will make the trip over a 24 hour period, beginning tomorrow morning. If for any reason we decide not to do it in one stretch, there are inlets we can tuck into. We will update the blog when we can; so, if you do not see a post for a couple of days it is not reason for concern; it could be that we are catching up on sleep, or that we do not have a connection for the blog. Stay tuned....
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11/02/2009, Great Kills Harbor, Staten Island
Waiting out weather off the New Jersey coast.
Got some much needed extra sleep this morning.
Chores finished up, three hot meals, route planning.
Looks like the weather will hold us here tomorrow as well...the price is perfect...FREE.
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11/01/2009, Great Kills Harbor, Staten Island
Left Croton Point 6:30 AM.
Since Kevin does not like city driving, Debbie "drove" most of today.
We safely arrived south of NYC in a very protected anchorage at about 2:00 PM.
NY Harbor was exuberant, intense at times, yet manageable.
Weather forecast might keep us here until Tuesday.
Much more, including photos, when we have WIFI.
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10/31/2009, North of Croton Point
Left Highland Falls at 8:00 AM.
Weather forecast tricked us; it was not as severe as predicted.
Traveled about 17 miles; anchored in a lovely spot, and got treated to balmy temperatures and bagpipe music.
Tomorrow we head to New York Harbor.
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