Norfolk to Coinjock, North Carolina

We were at the fuel dock in Norfolk at 0730, and were through our first bridge by 0800. We missed the opening of the next bridge and were forced to wait 1 hour for the next opening. Instead of circling in the basin for the hour, I backed the boat into a slip at a marina that is under construction, We set the table and had breakfast, made our coffee and tea and enjoyed the show of 14 boats all jockeying for position. We then went through the Great Lock and Bridge. The lock was only a 4 foot drop, not like the 41 foot drop I experienced in the Erie Canal. We went through several more bridges and across the Currituck Sound. We decided early in the day that we would overnight at Coinjock Marina in North Carolina. This will give us a good start to get across Albemarle Sound, early before the winds come up. We will have dinner this evening at the Marina's restaurant which is famous for their big Prime Rib and Flounder servings. I am still watching what I am eating and have needed to punch another hole in my belt, making it smaller.

We are planning a 80 to 100 mile day tomorrow. We will be pushing as hard as we can to get both Mike and Bob back to the West Coast before Thanksgiving.

More later,

Ross

with Mike & Bob

Annapolis to Norfolk

We were up and out of the marina at the Annapolis Yacht Club annex by 0700. Turning South we followed waypoints that Mike had plotted all day. It was quite a site to motor by the ships that were berthed at the Norfolk Naval Station. We settled into the Waterside Marina and were surprised to see that there was a Hooters Restaurant off the bow of the boat. We might need to get a few chicken wings ;-). Once we had the boat washed off, we sent to the shower rooms and took a shower, need to look good at Hooters!

Once back on the boat, we checked for TV coverage and we were pleased to find that we had lots of stations available. I am watching the Giants vs. Dallas game as I send up this post.

We heard from the marina attendants that last week a local tour boat ran aground as the ICW was closed for 4 days. Timing is everything. We will head South in the morning, after we put on some fuel. We will pass several bridges that open only at appointed times and through a lock as well. We will see how Bob & Mike handle the locks, I am sure that Larry & John could teach them a thing or two.

Ross

With Mike & Bob

Lay day in Annapolis

We spent the day tied up at the Annapolis Yacht Club. This is truly a classy Club. Many thanks to Mike Murphy for setting up the berthing here. We were joined this afternoon by my nephew Mark, his beautiful wife Christie and their new baby daughter Sophia. We had lunch at the Club and then took Sophia on her first boat ride. We moved the boat from the end tie at the Annapolis Yacht Club, to the fuel dock across the channel and then tied up at the AYC annex. We picked up the dink and safely stowed it on the davits. We will be set to leave tomorrow morning for parts South. We plan to make Norfolk.

The weather today was a bit overcast and is schedule to improve for tomorrow's transit.

More later,

Ross

with Bob & Mike.

Cape May to Annapolis, Very Civilized @ AYC

This was another one of the up at 0600 and underway at 0645 days. By now Larry and John must be tired of this. We were onto Delaware Bay, through the Cape May canal by 0700. The trip up the Bay was actually rougher than our Atlantic Ocean trip of yesterday. We made the C&D canal by about 1045 and were down the Bay to Annapolis by 1:30pm. We were met at the guest dock of the Annapolis Yacht Club by Mike Murphy and Bob Borg. When we got the boat settled down, and checking into the Club, we had a great lunch and said goodbye to Larry & John. We had hoped that they would return to the Club for dinner, but I think that the many days of up early and going late took their toll and they decided to stay at their hotel and make an early evening of it.

Mike was off to have dinner with his daughter and son in law, so Bob & I walked to town and had two oyster shooters before returning to the Club for dinner.

Tomorrow I will pick up the dink, and I am looking forward to seeing my Nephew, his wife and their new baby. They will be joining us for lunch, as they have a 90 minute drive from their home in Virginia. I will re-provision the boat and be ready to shove off for parts South on Sunday Morning.

As the change of watch occurred. I want to thank John & Larry for all their hard work over the last 2 weeks, and welcome Mike & Bob aboard.

More later,

Ross
now with Mike & Bob.

NYC to Cape May, a Great Trip!

The dreaded offshore crossing from NYC to Cape May was done today. I learned to water ski , although not well, on Lake Tahoe in bigger swells and winds than we experiences today. We were up and out of Liberty landing Marina at 0645 and were into our berth in Cape May by about 2PM. We fueled up and did some maintenance, before going up the the shower house and getting a much needed shower.

Tomorrow we head to Annapolis where Larry & John leave the adventure and Bob Borg & Michael Murphy get aboard. I am expecting a visit from my nephew and his wife and new Baby on Saturday as well.

We will be heading South on Saturday Afternoon, or early Sunday Morning, heading to FLA.

It was overwhelming to not only visit ground zero and motor by the Statue of Liberty. It is great to be an American!

More later, Ross

with Larry & John, for one more night. I thank them as we are over a week late getting here.,

Ferry to the Big Apple

We got the boat settled down and jumped onto the water taxi to the Big Apple. We walked by Ground Zero and saw the construction to bring the new building up. We then walked to Wall Street, and by the New York Stock Exchange. The police presence was VERY evident. Before coming back to the boat, we stopped at a nice restaurant and had dinner. Our plan is to get up early and head to Cape May. The weather looks like it is a go, but we will be reviewing everything before we stick our nose out.

More later

Ross

with Larry and John

Catskill to Liberty Landing Marina

We left Catskill at 0645 and had fuel aboard and settled into our berth by 1:15pm. We had a small problem with one of the windshield wipers, but we think that has been resolved. Our plan is to get cleaned up and take the water taxi, which docks right by our slip to Manhattan for a late lunch and dinner.

It is our plan to poke our nose out and get to Cape May tomorrow afternoon and to Annapolis on Friday. More later from here

Ross

with Larry & John.