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