Our big concern was the timing of our arrival at Delaware Bay. As noted in a previous post, Delaware Bay has very strong tidal currents, which can potentially cut your speed over ground to less than half. If a strong wind opposes the current, creating square waves, it can be really difficult to proceed at all--and very hard on the boat and the crew's ribs. There are also a lot of ships on Delaware Bay.
At 5:40 am Tuesday, after 25 minutes of hosing the tenacious mud off our chain, we were on our way. I was informed not to start hauling the anchor until the coffee was 100% perked and in a thermos. The coffee was in the thermos at 5:15. It was another incredibly beautiful day with very light winds on the nose. The "off shore" section between Sandy Hook and Delaware Bay is a bit odd, because we are never more than 2 1/2 to 4 1/2 nautical miles from the coast. So land is in sight the whole way.
Coast Guard off the New Jersey Coast early Tuesday morning. These vessels set and retrieve sea buoys and other aids to navigation.
It was still light when we passed Atlantic City, so we weren't treated to their gaudy light display this time around.
After dark somewhere between Atlantic City and Cape May, it appeared this journey was about to end. A "vessel" suddenly appeared dead ahead with 6 very bright spot lights shining on the water, and 2 bright red navigation lights. There were no green lights visible. It was obviously bearing down on us, so I swerved 90 degrees to try to avoid a collision that very quickly was starting to look certain. The change in course didn't seem to be working. Lisa was sleeping, so I thought maybe it would be quick and she wouldn't feel anything--not nearly as bad as the gulag. After a few moments I was starting to hope that it was a Coast Guard helicopter. Then it became clear it was a military aircraft which flew right over our mast at a very low level, and at a very slow speed. I never heard the engines until it was right over our heads. After it passed us, it veered off and kept on going. I could almost hear the crew falling out of their seats with laughter as they looked for their next victim. Our Homeland Security having fun while at the same time guarding our coast. I'm all for being able to do 2 things at once. I picked my heart up off the cockpit floor and put it back where I think it is supposed to go. On our way up the coast we had a similar experience, but it was at dusk so I was able to make out the plane (it was a twin prop with one of those large disc antennas like an AWACS plane). I keep telling you Obama is stalking me.
We entered the Delaware Bay at 12:45 am. The winds were very light from the north, so the forecast was still right on. The shipping traffic was very busy, but for the most part we were able to stay just outside the shipping channel. We made it to the C and D Canal at 8:10 am. The winds had just started to pick up into the mid 20s and it had started to drizzle. As soon as we entered the canal everything smoothed out nicely. News alert: the weather report was pretty accurate--that's like lottery odds (don't know or care if the bad north winds ever hit the coast or not, but the light wind, nice weather part was right on).
The drizzle stopped and the rest of the trip was uneventful. At 5:00 pm on Wednesday our anchor was set in a beautiful cove on Broad Creek, just off the Magothy River. We stayed there for 2 nights and then made the short 13 mile trip to Annapolis.
After dark somewhere between Atlantic City and Cape May, it appeared this journey was about to end. A "vessel" suddenly appeared dead ahead with 6 very bright spot lights shining on the water, and 2 bright red navigation lights. There were no green lights visible. It was obviously bearing down on us, so I swerved 90 degrees to try to avoid a collision that very quickly was starting to look certain. The change in course didn't seem to be working. Lisa was sleeping, so I thought maybe it would be quick and she wouldn't feel anything--not nearly as bad as the gulag. After a few moments I was starting to hope that it was a Coast Guard helicopter. Then it became clear it was a military aircraft which flew right over our mast at a very low level, and at a very slow speed. I never heard the engines until it was right over our heads. After it passed us, it veered off and kept on going. I could almost hear the crew falling out of their seats with laughter as they looked for their next victim. Our Homeland Security having fun while at the same time guarding our coast. I'm all for being able to do 2 things at once. I picked my heart up off the cockpit floor and put it back where I think it is supposed to go. On our way up the coast we had a similar experience, but it was at dusk so I was able to make out the plane (it was a twin prop with one of those large disc antennas like an AWACS plane). I keep telling you Obama is stalking me.
We entered the Delaware Bay at 12:45 am. The winds were very light from the north, so the forecast was still right on. The shipping traffic was very busy, but for the most part we were able to stay just outside the shipping channel. We made it to the C and D Canal at 8:10 am. The winds had just started to pick up into the mid 20s and it had started to drizzle. As soon as we entered the canal everything smoothed out nicely. News alert: the weather report was pretty accurate--that's like lottery odds (don't know or care if the bad north winds ever hit the coast or not, but the light wind, nice weather part was right on).
The drizzle stopped and the rest of the trip was uneventful. At 5:00 pm on Wednesday our anchor was set in a beautiful cove on Broad Creek, just off the Magothy River. We stayed there for 2 nights and then made the short 13 mile trip to Annapolis.
Anchorage on Broad Creek.
On the bay near Annapolis, just off the Severn River.
Mooring field past the bridge on Spa Creek.
We plan to be on a mooring ball (first one in a long time) for 3 weeks or so. The main reason is the Boat Show, but we'll be able to order stuff we need, and do some boat projects that are easier to do when not anchored. One of those is to shorten the chain on the primary rode from 300 feet to 200 feet. We need to raise our bow a bit.
The weather seems to be turning cooler. Mid 50s at night and mid 70s in the day--beautiful. Why do I suspect it's 105 in Dallas?
We plan to be on a mooring ball (first one in a long time) for 3 weeks or so. The main reason is the Boat Show, but we'll be able to order stuff we need, and do some boat projects that are easier to do when not anchored. One of those is to shorten the chain on the primary rode from 300 feet to 200 feet. We need to raise our bow a bit.
The weather seems to be turning cooler. Mid 50s at night and mid 70s in the day--beautiful. Why do I suspect it's 105 in Dallas?
Paul, it has been a very cool late summer and fall. Might have been in the low 90's in late September, but not near the 105 one might otherwise expect. We figure we ought to be grateful for global warming or else it might have frozen on us.
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