Rock Onnnnnn

Knowing our next destination was Rock Hall, Cathy suggested we take a short cut through Kent Island Narrows.  We were warned not to stray out of the channel and to be alert when heading under the bridge due to the wicked currents.  See the bridge above.

A little Rock Hall history.

 

This is Main Street which is referenced in the sign above.  This was the most interesting building in their downtown area which is about 1.25 miles away from our marina.  It felt like we had hiked miles to get there because it was sooo hottt and humiddd!  We didn't realize they had an inexpensive trolley running people between the marinas and downtown area until we were back down to the harbor.  Even so, Bill still wanted to put in their suggestion box a relocation program for their downtown-move it closer to the harbor.  

Grabbed a bite to eat at Waterman's Dockside Bar and listened to a 2-man band playing their hearts out.

                                

Had some Vietnam vets and friends of Vietnam vets take a break from their ride to enjoy the food and libations as well.

 

View from Waterman's dock to the south.

And to the southwest.

 

Sundown shot from our marina.

Our next destination had been Baltimore but because of the pending weather conditions we skipped it and headed for Delaware City.

                              

On our journey we have run into range dayboards.  "These aids which are usually shore-mounted come in pairs to help the vessel operator maintain a straight and safe course within a navigatable channel.  Each member of the pair is separated from the next in distance and elevation, with the one in front shorter than the one behind it.  When the two appear to be vertically Front stacked, the vessel is on the range line."  It may be the second time I have commented on them but it bears repeating.  This time It doesn't stand out as well.  You can hardly see the other range dayboard on land, right hand side, small white light.

                            

Once we got the lights "front stacked" and in the range line and we were on track.

An inviting restaurant we had to forgo.

 

Another inviting lunch stop.  Maybe next time?

Hey mom, look what toy Hurricane Sandy beached for us!  Can we keep her?

Getting closer to Delaware.  Bridge,

 

after bridge,

 

after bridge!

Syke!!  One more!

Finally arrived at the Delaware City Marina.  This is the first time either of us has been to Delaware.

 

This guy is Charlie's (my sister's dog) long lost cousin - same temperament.  

Sit Boo Boo sit.  Good dog.  Woof!

 

Obstructed tree line view of downtown.

Not a cleaner view from the other side of the street either.

 

Crabby Dick's was highly recommended so off we went.  

Cute side porch but a bit too warm to eat outside.

 

Our new found friend, Roger.  He is a nuclear plant inspector for a company contracted by the government. 

Before night fell the dockmaster, Tim, invited those who were interested in a briefing on Delaware Bay and the forecast to meet in the marina store.  There were two couples in attendance, Danny and Sandy (M/V some R lovin') and Bill and I (I left when 5 heads were trying to view the computer screen).  The bay is notorious for causing havoc for recreational boaters. "First, there is a significant current of up to three knots, and when wind is in opposition to the current, it quickly builds a very nasty chop. Second, the bay is for the most part shallow and the channel is often occupied with ocean-going vessels. Finally, there are relatively few places to take shelter." Tim expertly covered those topics and addressed the weather report for the next day.  Winds were expected to be 10 to 15 mph.  As long as the winds didn't increase some R lovin' and Tour de Loop were heading out.  Traveling with another boat eased all of our minds especially Sandy's.  

                                

Tim met us at the docks at 5:30 am and reported that the winds had dropped to 5 - 10 mph.  Yahoo, even better!  He helped us with our lines and off we went!

 

Goodbye Tim!  Thanks for sharing your time and imparting your extensive knowledge on us to keep us safe.

 

Another plus of an early morning run.  Good Mornin' Sunshine!

Come closer.

Delaware nuclear plant.

Cargo container ship.  Big business.  Tampa wants to get the container ship business since the Panama Canal has opened up to larger ships.

 

Arrived in Utsch's Marina in Cape May, New Jersey.

 

I am NOT in the mood.............

Sandy, Danny, Bill, and I enjoyed a fabulous meal at Lucky Bones.  Thanks for suggesting it Sandy!  We had a round table discussion regarding the weather heading our way and whether to stay or flee. 

Early the next morning we debated for 1.5 hours before deciding to flee.  So we cruised up the coast but at a price.  Many people ask us how many gallons we use per hour.  Our Camano will burn 2 gallons per hour at trawler speed which is 8.5 mph.  However, when we cruise, meaning 15 mph the boat burns 8 gallons per hour.  Bottom line, it costs us twice as much to cruise vs traveling at trawler speed.

 

Several hours after leaving, the ocean remained calm so there was no need to find  a slip in Atlantic City.  Several more hours later we're still cruising in agreeable waters.  Approaching our 8th hour on the Atlantic the wind and waves starting picking up.  We were ready to get off the water.

9 hours and 94 miles later we were entering Manasquan inlet.  This picture didn't capture the rough seas coming into the inlet.  North side view.

South side view.  Take a good look at the water and you can see where the strong current begins.

 

Finally, Hoffman's Marina, Manasquan, New Jersey.  We were beyond ready to get off "das boot".  German for "the boat"!

Yacht club next door.

Nice condos behind the marina.

Pretty in pink!

Union Landing Restaurant served up just the right backdrop.

 

I've never looked better. 

 

Oh, someone turned the lights on.  I'm melting.  Even under cover it was warm.  A couple glasses of ice cold water followed by chilled mugs overflowing with cold beer revived our spirits.  Now we're ready for bed.  zzzzzzzzzzz

 

                                    

The whole reason for running so hard and deciding to keep pushing was trying to avoid a low pressure system which was blowing in and going to sit over the eastern seaboard for an unknown number of days making it too dangerous for an ocean voyage.   We didn't want to miss July 4th with my sister Mary and her family on Staten Island so we got up early again and look what Mother Nature greeted us with - an awe inspiring morning sky.

                                  

                                   

Can't help it.  Once, nor twice was enough!

 

Heading into the turbulent waters of the inlet.  Why does it feel I'm heading for a roller coaster ride?

 

 

                                 

It will take a few minutes to boot up.  As Bill states, we have an outgoing tide, an in coming current and a narrow inlet laced with rocky sides.  Thank goodness we were the lone boat heading out that morning so we could stay in the middle. 

 

The morning skies continue to transform themselves.

 

Further up in the clouds you can see them breaking and exposing a hint of turquoise skies.  Look in the bottom right and corner and let me focus my camera over the water.

Within an hour God provided us with a beautiful showcase of the morning sun from heaven.

Staten Island here we come!