Day 3 New York City to Atlantic City

Today we traveled up Hells Gate It wasn't as bad as we thought it would be but then we have more power available to us to fight the current. It was a Beautiful Day for travel, cruising past Manhattan by all the buildings and to Lady Liberty was incredible to say the very least. There will be lots of pictures to follow. Since the weather was so good we decided to push on past Sandy Hook and tavel directly on to Atlantic City. Tonight we enjoyed our Dinner on the sundeck looking onto the casinos all lit up for the evening, beautiful. The only unfortunate thing was we had no Internet at the marinia we stayed at.

Day 2 Port Washington NY

Well today started out nice even though we had to take down what little canvas we had on the upper helm and travel with only a bimini over our heads. The first hour or so was ok, thankfully I had packed some cold weather gear (Hats gloves etc). About an hour and half into it the seas got crazy and traveling was uncomfortable, cold, wet with really nasty waves. It was just after Hunington Beach Long Island it got better and after that was not bad at all. We finally made it to Port Washington NY. it was exciting to see the BIG Apple skyline as we pulled into port. We thought Bob and Denise on Liberty made it here as well but after we got docked the phone rang and it was Bob the seas sent them in for a shorter than planned day and they are in Hunnington Beach. Northern Symphony cut there day short as well and they are in Saugatuck Ct.

Tomorrow the plan is to get to Sandy Hook NJ. as we plan to take our time in the New York Harbour to visit with Lady Liberty and take lots of up close and personal pictures of her. We heard from Esperanza today as well and they said Hells Gate in NY is every bit what the name implies (very bad currents) . We will see first hand tomorrow! Pictures to follow maybe tomorrow.

Day one Westport Ma. to Westbrook Ct.

Well we've arrived at Brewers Cove Duck Island CT, the trip was WINDY but the seas only ran 3 to 4 feet. The boat did great ( steering wheel didn't come off ). We just met up with the couple on Liberty from RI who ended up as our neighbors on the dock, and after a nice cold beer we're thinking about dinner. While we were walking the docks I realised that Duck Island area was Golden Lilys homeport and low and behold we found it. Jim from Golden Lily found us later in the evening. We had a very nice chat and he recommended some marinas to stay in NY and NJ. as well as other loop info.

Tomorrow is a GO!

After sitting and waiting for the weather to turn for 5 days tomorrow is a go! While the waiting has given us the opportunity to do all the things we wanted to do. The boat is more than stocked of personal belongings, spare parts, food, and fueled. We are good to go! If we sit for one more day there may not be room for us with the things we keep bringing aboard. We will be traveling with 3 other boats on a similar schedules which makes it more fun and less stressful. We will be traveling with Liberty out of East Greenwich RI. Esperanza out of NS Canada, but they have been in Westport for a month ( they are now in CT) and last but not least Northern Symphony also out of Canada (ON) they are now in Newport RI. It is nice to know there are others out there you can shout out to and maybe spend some dock time with. There are 2 other boats already in the Chesapeake Bay area heading south which we have had contact with as well, and I am sure we will find some others. Being a member of the AGLCA has allowed us, though their discussion board to hookup with others. As well as the many Harbour hosts along the way we can contact for info and guidance. So, we are off tomorrow! Thank you to those of you who have signed up to follow our journey, we look forward to hearing from you.

Getting ready to cruise! ...3 days to go...?

Lots to do! Someone asked me, What do you do to prepare to cruise and live on a boat for such a long time? Well, I will try to answer as best I can. Living on the boat for the summer has given us an idea of what to expect in some ways. First, storage space is good for the summer, but then, we have a car to hop into whenever we need to run to the store or to run home for something. That is about to change! So stocking and storing things for living is the name of my game. The galley (kitchen) is stocked with most of the things we would have at home just in a smaller scale ie. pots and pans (just cooking for 2 now) gone are all the BIG over sized cooking items. I have a feeling that the crock pot is about to be my best friend! Yes, there is a stove top (3 small burners) and an oven (sort off)convection still figuring that out. I must say I am loving my toaster oven. And anyone one who knows me knows, the real workhorse on the boat is the coffee maker. The fridge well .....we have one, smallish re fridge, boat fridges are not known to keep things REALLY cold but the freezer does, so we deal with it. Anyway the galley is usable and once you get use to it, its very doable. Though 3 months ago I felt differently. It works! We have 2 berths (bedrooms) the master has a walk around Queen size bed, a real luxury! The 2nd berth, well we have one, small, but great storage. Another luxury on a boat is 2 heads, (bathrooms) both en suite. A very large salon (livingroom) with lots of storage and a dinette table and seating for 4. This boat is considered very livable.

The sundeck has proven to be most enjoyable, there we have room for a table and chairs it has a grill where I will do most cooking, and a very large cooler in which holds all our beverages.

When underway the bridge is where we are, there we have a great view comfortable seating alot of electronics (which Jim has upgraded and been installing things for the last 2 weeks.) He has upgraded the stereo system along with new speakers. He changed out the Sirius for XM that is compatible with the new electronics which also receives XM marine weather via an updated chart plotter with built-in electronic maps for all the US and the Bahamas. This will make cruising safer.

At home (one of the few things we haven't sold) Ashley and I have been downsizing alot of our STUFF selling what we can and donating the rest. We have Sold Jims beloved truck the camper and the basstracker so the driveways has less in it now as does the house. And Ashley can feel safer with the new security system. Thankfully, we have someone to take care of the house and dog which could of been a real problem. And luckily we have some great neighbors and friends to keep and eye on things as well. So yes we have been real busy!

Summer in New England is over!

Its been a great summer in beautiful Westport Harbour! We have met alot of great people and learned ALOT. We've gotten alot of hands on experience on trips to Block Island, made a couple of trips up the Sakonnet River and down into Newport RI. and had quite the learning experience on our trip to P-town. We have had great travel companions and boat buddies on our extended trips. I would like to thank all our dockmates for sharing their many years of boating experience, their help with lines when coming into dock, their thoughts on mechanical issues and some just plain dumb questions that slipped past our brains. The trips out on "JustChillin" and "LuckyStrike" for ice cream in the Vineyard, lunch at the BoatHouse or a cruise through Battleship Cove. And especially the friendships made though out our summer in Westport. A special thank you to Maria and Fred for taking us under their wings at the start and making us feel apart of the E Dock family. Fred?.........gotta love ya! Never found out what your nicknames for us were but we are probably better off. Thanks to Cindy and AL for always being there to share a bottle of wine and stories of our travel adventures thoughout the summer. Thanks to Happy Bob and Deb for the sharing of yourselves, your home and your MUSIC! It really was a great summer and we enjoyed everyones company.

Been training with capt Bevis at our home port, BUT to day we bought her to the fuel dock (200gals) and spent 2 hours running off Westport in 5 to 6 footers. Lots of fun hitting it from every direction, she likes 16 knots cutting the waves with a smooth ride. Tomorrow it's off to Marthas Vineyard for our first over night.