Monday, May 30, 2016

May 29, 2016

Cape May,NJ---- Staten Island,NY May 23-29,2016

The two-day total run on “The Outside” from Cape May, NJ to Atlantic Highlands, NJ (with the NYC skyline in view) was 20(7+13) hours. We enjoyed the experience much more than we had anticipated. Even though we didn’t leave the boat, an anchorage next to The Strip in Atlantic City gave us an opportunity to catch a feel of it’s glittery aspect. Reports of breaching whales came over Channel 16 on the VHF radio, but we didn’t see them. We were cruising about two miles off shore; the whales were seen about three miles off shore. An invitiation from the AGLCA’s Port Captain John Calascibetta was sent out to all Loopers: The Great Kills Yacht Club on the southern shore of Staten Island would be welcoming us as guests as we came into the New York Harbor...quite a treat! Memorial Day Weekend would be a super-special time to arrive because the Yacht Club would be carrying out the Opening Ceremonies for its 2016 Boating Season. Little did we imagine how impressive it would be... and how much time and energy would go into preparing for and carrying out this annual event. With a history reaching back to 1906, the club story that we heard today was filled with pride that a group of working class folks could create such a first-rate yacht club. Just inside The Great Kills Club House door is a “Work Party To Do List” and a full roster of volunteers who have signed up to do them. Today the officers and trustees were dressed in Commodore white with navy blue blazers and white caps and shoes...very snazzy. The Navy color guard marched to the wailing tune of a kilted bag piper. Time was taken to think about those who had lost their lives so we could enjoy ours. An impressive flag ceremony interspersed with three cannon bursts was carried out down at the waters‘ edge. A lovely wreath was tossed in the harbor in memory of the club members who had passed away since last season. The participants and their families and guests were then invited to eat, drink and be merry! We spent the afternoon socializing under large umbrellas arranged over numerous tables in the 92 degree heat. The food was homemade, the grills were active all afternoon, the beer was cold and everyone was pleased to have us there with them. How can you improve upon that?! We four couples on our Looper boats had a wonderful day with these sweet people. Tomorrow we say “farewell” to Staten Island and pass under the Verrazzano Bridge. Ahead of us will be the Statue of Liberty, Ellis Island, Manhattan, and the Hudson River. It’s a world we would have never imagined seeing from the deck of our boat... but it’s the world we’ll know well tomorrow.
Created by Darcy Campbell

Tuesday, May 24, 2016

Traveling from Annapolis MD to Atlantic City NJ

Some days on the water are strictly for making progress. You can study the tide charts... you can consider the predictions for wind direction and strength... you can read on-line forum posts to get the best advice of those who are making the passage ahead of you, but all in all, it will be what it will be. We departed Annapolis at first light, expecting to find the predicted 1-2 foot waves as we came under the Chesapeake Bay Bridge. What we did find were 3-4 foot waves that left our trawler pitching and rolling! Thankfully, the water smoothed out as the day progressed. We have to admit that we fuss and fret that we will find ourselves in big water with rough seas. We’ve been blessed with mostly calm water. We’ve also been blessed with a boat that can handle more choppy, sloppy, rolling water than we can even imagine. When the going gets rough, we may be feeling uncomfortable, but our Summertime is doing just fine. We anchored at Chesapeake City, MD where it was party central. It was raining, but the Harley crowd didn’t seem to notice... no rain gear, no helmets... just lots of rumble! Our story of Delaware Bay is one of following a ship’s channel, 40 feet deep, for 50 miles. Yes, ships and tugs with tows parade up and down the channel throughout the day, so it can be a bit unsettling. They tend to be about 500 feet long and cruise about 18 mph. We are 36 feet long and cruise at 7 mph. After each ship passes, we have to turn into their wake to reduce the roll-effect on our boat. A partial story of Cape May, NJ, our country’s oldest seaside resort, can be told thanks to some fabulous pictures shared with us from new Looper friends Rod and Susie Busbee on Bee Haven. High winds and resulting waves kept many Loopers huddled together at Utsch’s Marina for a week or so. By the weekend this couple rented a Camaro convertible and with the top down, they handily captured the elegance of “The Painted Ladies”, Victorian homes dating back to the 1800’s. With the seas laying down today, everyone is on the move. It’s our first experience to be on The Outside...out to sea... so we opted to make today another travel day. We’ll have to put Cape May on our bucket list for the future. After 6 hours of rolling in 3 foot swells, we are anchored just off The Strip in Atlantic City, NJ. 44 miles from Cape May.
Created By Darcy Campbell

Saturday, May 21, 2016

Annapolis,MD May 19-21,2016

Are you up on your military terminology? With Commissioning Week underway at the Naval Academy here in Annapolis, it’s important to know...who are the plebes, the midshipmen, the ensigns and the 2nd lieutenants? Yesterday was a perfect sunny day to tour the Academy grounds and buildings. They are expansive and absolutely spectacular! Our Annapolis City Marina is actually in Eastport, separated from Annapolis by Spa Creek. Within sight of our slip, a lift-bridge accomodates cars and boats alike. Historically blue-collar, Eastport is home to the majority of local marine businesses and boatyards. Yellow flags flying from nearby porches proclaim “Maritime Republic of Eastport”.The hey-day of oyster-packing is celebrated at the Annapolis Maritime Museum just down the street from our slip. White-collar Annapolis, on the other hand, is the self-proclaimed sailing capital of the world. One-design racing clubs line the waterfront. It has been raining most of today, but because it’s Saturday, the races are on. Not to be outdone, nearby Baltimore isn’t letting the damp and the mud stop the horses from racing in the Triple Crown’s 141st Preakness today either.
Created by Darcy Campbell