Day 3 Oh Ya!

Ahoy...what day is it?....Oh, it's Tuesday and we're at the Alligator River Marina.  It's been a fabulous day...sunny no wind or waves to speak of.  Sun on the bridge today was one reason why we're all here.  No shower or shave today, maybe tommorow...

Seem to be getting some flack for the "Larry time".  This means getting up after the sun, you know, like you're on vacation!

Weather tomorrow looks great.  I'm being threatened with an early departure.  Captain Andy and Jim are great travel partners.  Life on the Seadee...the way it should be!

Larry  8:50pm 10-30-07

 

 

Sunrise in Coinjock...

...is a beautiful thing. Mist on the river, red sunlight through the pines, boats quietly leaving the marina to resume the parade south.

Yesterday was my first day at Sea with Andy and Larry and it was a fine one. A bit cooler than we had hoped for, but it should warm up today. Lots of bridges, locks, and some open water to end the day.

My cardioligist will be happy to note that we all punked out on the 32 oz. Prime Rib that is the pride of the Coinjock Marina restaurant.




I did have a life changing experience last night but can't talk about it. You'll have to jump on board for a few days to experience it yourself.

We're on "Larry time" today which means I was supposed to sleep until 9 because we have a short day ahead of us and we don't expect to find a lot to do at the Alligator River Marina - our destination today. But the early activity woke me and I couldn't resist the opportuinty to hijack Andy's blog for a minute.

Big "ups" to the Captain for threading the needle last night and getting us into the tightest berth I've ever seen at a marina. For those of you who've never had to dock a boat, it's a nerve-wracking experience in the best conditions. never mind doing it with wind and current and a big audience on the dock waiting for you to screw up. The skippper of Seadee has a whole new level of respect from his fellow captains.

Hearing a little activity down below now, time to sign off and get the rest of the day started.

I'm sure you're still wondering "what the hell is a coinjock?" Google it - I gotta go...

Norfolk, Coinjock NC

Finally made it to Norfolk. Three days of the worst weather I have ever seen. I felt like Dorothy in the Wizard of Oz. Wind,rain. Wind RAIN. WIND, RAIN.

I have some photos of Norfolk, but it's the same war ships that we've seen before on the trip north. Still impressive, still gray.

Jim and Larry are now aboard.









What fun. We are having a great time. More wind in Norfolk and we waited it out by eating, drinking and very a very interesting night at the Commodore Theatre. A movie theatre serving dinner and a movie. In this case, the movie was Michael Clayton. Three thumbs up.

50 miles today. A great day on the water. Now in Coinjock NC. Famous for 32oz prime rib and fuel.

You may now see some posts from Larry and Jim. Could be weird stuff. Reader beware.

Still in Jackson Creek

The weather has been against me.  Rain, wind and nasty seas.  Sill anchored in Jackson Creek.  I'm trying to get to Norfolk to pick up Jim and Larry Saturday.  The waves have been so bad that a boat capsized two miles from here.  3 people had to be pulled from the water by the Coast Guard.  I need a weather window of about 7 hours to get out of the Chesapeake and into the protected waters of Norfolk.  Just heard from Brook and Dee (East Passage) who are also waiting to go south.  They are about 3 hours north of me in Urbanna. 

 

Jackson Creek on the Piankatank River

Thunderstorms made today's leg more interesting than planned.  Now at anchor in Jackson Creek with about 17 other boats.  World Series tonight!  Hot dogs and popcorn for dinner. 

 

Solomons MD

A pretty, but windy day in Solomons. Stayed in the marina waiting for the winds to change from South to North. A beautiful sunrise!

Annapolis to St. Michaels MD

There are a few less crabs in St. Michaels tonight. A lobster from Maine also found the pot. A great meal with Tom and Gail (the trawler Gale Force), and Tom's brother Danny and wife Nancy.



After a short 4 hour passage across the Chesapeake, we assaulted the Crab Claw (a restaurant in St. Michaels') and took no prisoners.



Early Mon morning, I'll be off to Solomons MD.

Annapolis MD

From the serenity of the Bohemia River to the mecca of sailing/cruising - Annapolis. We started the day in heavy fog. It lifted about 10:30am and we were off. Travelled down the Chesapeake in the company of Pathfinder (a Mainship 400). Pathfinder runs a knot or two faster than seaDee and arrived an hour ahead. We're both in the mooring field in downtown Annapolis.

On the way to Annapolis, I looked behind me and saw this guy in the distance. Thought I was on the set for Master and Commander.



The harbor in Annapolis



Sunrise the next morning

Now in the Chesapeake

Another beautiful day on the water. 73 degrees, light winds from the south. Today's cruise took seaDee up the Delaware River to the C&D canal and into the top of the Chesapeake Bay. Currently anchored in Veazey Cove in the Bohemia River. Five other boats are here including new friends Marianne and Chris Barlow from Newport RI. Their boat is on the right in the photo below.



Some other sites along today's route:

Leaving the western end of the Cape May canal. The ferry boats that run to Delaware can be seen on the right.



The Delaware River is a major shipping channel. The little boat to the right is a 55
footer.



Entering the C&D canal. Connects the Delaware River with the Chesapeake Bay.

Atlantic City to Cape May

Atlantic City, It is a silly place. These shots taken as I left the anchorage at 7am.





Arrived in Cape May NJ at 1:16pm. seaDee is in a slip in Utsch's Marina until Wed.

A beautiful day on the water. The sea was flat. Gentle breeze. Saw my first group (pod?) of dolphin. Six large gray dolphin in a tight group heading north.

A large group of trawlers also staying at the marina. Canadians, on the way to Florida. Another boat from NJ on the way to the Chesapeake. Two couples from Rhode Island on the way south.

Mike Becce came down for lunch and a boat tour. Love you Mike.

Arrived Atlantic City

Over 12 hours of cruising makes for a long first day. Anchored next to Harrah's. Time for dinner and some baseball. Rocks and DBacks on at 8:30.

Underway - off the NJ Coast

Said goodbye to the Molly Pitcher Marina, seaDee's home for the summer -



Passed the Twin Lights overlooking Sandy Hook -



And out to sea. The weather, Sunny and beautiful. Light wind, 1 to 2 foot seas. Lovely. Location at 2pm.

A long day though. Over 12 hours down the coast to AC. Arrived as the sun was setting -

Will leave NJ Sunday Oct 14

Should be underway by 7am. My starting location. This is a 90mile run to Atlantic City. ETA: 5:30pm

A week of goodbyes and preperation

Loose ends? They're all loose. My last day in the office will be Thursday Oct 11. After 23 years of commuting, I bought my last train ticket today.

Looks like the weekend weather will be a little nasty, so projected departure now looks like Monday or Tuesday (Oct 16 or 17). First day is a long one. I want to make it to Atlantic City. Should take about 10 hours of cruising. Need some good winds for this trip - all open ocean. I think the boat's ready to go. Am I?