6/23/14: Today on the Hudson River was beautiful. It was a calm day and we caught the current all the way north for the 50 NM trip. We spent the night at Rondout Yacht Basin Marina which is about 1 NM off the Hudson. A quiet marina with grass for Ike.  Steve our buddy boater had friends come by & take us dinner then Walmart. A nice break from the boat.  Tomorrow we head north to Albany, NY. Only 2 days away from the Erie Canal….YEA!!!!!

6/21/14: Up early after a restful night at Great Kills Yacht Club heading to New York City! To say that going through New York Harbor is an experience is an understatement. The tanker, water taxi, personal watercraft traffic is…well you just have to experience it. At least to say you did!

Next destination is Half Moon Marina at Croton-On- Hudson. Half Moon is located next to Cronton Park which hosted a two day music festival. Boats anchored all around the park and filled the slips at the marina. We stayed at Half Moon for two days which gave us time to catch up on some boat chores.

Morning view as we leave Croton-On-Hudson

Sunset from deck of Twelve Stones while docked at Half Moon Marina.

S

Staten Island Ferry

New York City

NEW YORK CITY - WE SEE YOU!!!!

6/20/14: We left Manasquan Inlet headed to New York City!  This was by far the worse of the 3 days we traveled the Atlantic Ocean. We encountered 8 ft waves with waves coming over the front and spraying our Pilot House windows. We were very pleased with how Twelve Stones handled the angry seas for the 41NM trip. Once we got into the Hudson Bay area the seas calmed.  We spent the night at the Great Kills (aka Mafia) Yacht Club, Staten Island. Great Kills is located inside a cove area making it well protected from wind and passing tankers. John the Great Loop Harbor Host is the best.

Great Kills Yacht Club

6/18/14: We left Cape May, NJ headed to Atlantic City, NJ on 6/16/14. As we were exiting the marina we saw Sea Gypsy a GH37 anchored. 

Sea Gypsy GH37

Beautiful Morning To Cast Off The Lines

After hearing all the stories about the ICW we decided to wait on a good weather window and travel on the outside Atlantic Ocean.  Our patience paid off, it was a beautiful day on the Atlantic.

Ocean City - View From Atlantic Ocean

Ocean City - View From Atlantic Ocean

We spent two nights in Atlantic City, NJ waiting on another good weather window. 

Atlantic City, NJ - View From Atlantic Ocean

Atlantic City, NJ - View From Atlantic Ocean

Atlantic City, NJ - View From Atlantic Ocean

We left and it turned out to be a very foggy trip north to Manasquan Inlet.

We stayed at Hoffman Marina in Manasquan Inlet. We had requested a slip on the east side of the railroad bridge. They didn’t have one so they put us on a T-head right by the train. I have to say the train didn’t really bother me (Elaine) but they have a wicked current.  Passing boats are not able to maintain idle speed due to the swift current at the bridge so it’s a bumpy stay.

Train Track Right In Front of Twelve Stones

The Manasquan area is know for Tuna, Shark, & Marlin fishing. 

Our next stop, New York City!

6/13/14:  The weather window we had waited on arrived so at 5:30 am this morning we left Delaware City Marina, Delaware.  We can’t say enough about the hospitality of the marina owner & the shop owners in the town. A must stop if you are passing through.

Leaving Bad Weather Behind

As we approached Ship John Shoal which is the marker designating leaving Delaware River and entering the Delaware Bay, the water became calm & flat but the pea soup fog rolled in.  Not a problem we will take the pea soup any day when the water is this calm. The day after our crossing, the wave heights on the Delaware Bay were reported to be around 6 foot. Thanking the Lord for His protection & the beautiful day He gave us.

Ship John Shoal 

Marks the split between Delaware River & Delaware Bay

Pea Soup Conditions Delaware Bay

Upon arrival in Cape May, New Jersey since we left our home port in Green Cove Springs, Florida on 4/2/14:

• ·         74 days have passed of which 43 have been spent in marinas mainly due to weather.
• ·         Navigated through 7 States
• ·         Traveled 987 Nautical Miles

We continue to meet other Loopers along the way and pinch ourselves every day just to make sure we aren’t dreaming this amazing life we are living.

Seven Boats Left Delaware Marina Heading to Cape Mae

These were 3 following us - Steve on Miss Hadley is right behind us.

In Cape May, NJ we stayed at the very protected (wind & current) Utsch’s Marina.  

Utsch's Marina

6/12/14: Still at Delaware City Marina due to the weather. The Delaware Bay is to be respected as she can get uncomfortable in less than ideal conditions.  There have been some Loopers who have come and gone but most only got as far as Cape May and are sitting.

Our trip from Baltimore to Delaware City took us through the C&D Canal which is a 14 mile long cut between Chesapeake Bay & Delaware Bay. Cargo ships & military vessels from all over the world pass through this channel.  More than 15 million tons of cargo passes through the C&D Canal each year.

Entrance to C&D Canal

Captain Steve on Miss Hadley Following Us on the C&D Canal

Heading to the Delaware Bay we passed Chesapeake City, MD. Many Loopers take advantage of this stop as it offers a free dock & good restaurants. We continued past Chesapeake City on to Delaware Bay Marina.

Chesapeake City, MD

Chesapeake City Free Dock

The Delaware City Marina was originally going to be a one night stop. But as most Loopers know plans change with the wind. We arrived on 6/6 and are still here today 6/12. The Marina staff and local shop owners have all been very welcoming.

Twelve Stones was at the end of the dock. Good spot.

Park Next To Delaware City Marina 

Nice Place for Ike

Delaware City Marina

Every morning most of us from the dock meet at the Cordelias Bakery Café to discuss travel plans & various boat topics & of course enjoy the fresh baked pastries.

Delaware City is a very small community so you can count on this stop being slow paced & relaxing.

Delaware City Hotel At Marina Canal Entrance

Largest Restaurant In Town

Downtown Delaware City, Delaware

Future Plans: Yesterday the plan was to leave on Saturday, today it looks like either tomorrow (Friday) or Sunday. We are all ready to get going but have to remain focused on leaving in good weather day. 

6/6/14: This morning we left Baltimore, Maryland heading to Delaware City, Delaware.  The NOAA forecast of 5 knot winds & 1’ waves was wrong. At least NOAA is consistently wrong. LOL. We clocked the wind at 18 knots and the waves were at least 3 footers. So half our day was in those conditions and then when we got into the C&D Canal the wind was 5 knots and no waves.

We arrived at the Delaware City Marina around 14:30. We had heard that the dock crew was top notch professionals and we found this to be true. First off you come down this canal to the marina and they tie your boat up (side tie floating docks) starboard. Then the dock crew turns your boat around (using dock lines) so you are facing outward for an easy exit. It was a really cool thing to see.

Every day at 17:15 hrs the staff at the marina has a weather briefing meeting. Not only did we find out about weather but it was educational as well. We just love this place.

Our original plan was to leave tomorrow, Saturday, and head to Cape Mae. However the extended forecast for travels beyond that just do not look good. So we decided to wait out the weather here at Delaware City Marina. 

Pictures to follow.