Sherry Pickett

We made it to Annapolis!! Short trip into Annapolis for the big boat show! Docked a Butler’s Marina. Great little marina with washer/dryer on site. Treated myself to a haircut at a fancy salon 😊 Will go to the boat show tomorrow and Saturday. Such a great city, enjoyed the walk to the salon.

Best conditions for sailing so far this trip! Full sails up all day. Chesapeake Bay is beautiful. Mostly a beam reach with a bit of downwind and close haul sailing. Many many sailboats making their way closer to Annapolis today. Originally we had planned a short hop to anchor and relax but the sailing was too good so we just kept on going. We are anchored in Eagle Cove with a beautiful view of The Horse Farm.

Beautiful sunny day, calm conditions good for going through the canal. Anchored near the Bohemian River at Ford’s Landing just off the channel. Very calm evening. Five other sailboats anchored here, two other Canadian boats and Second Star. Our first anchorage in the Chesapeake Bay, it very beautiful. Everyone is heading for Annapolis for the Sail Boat Show which starts Thursday.

Started off a calm morning, as we headed north up Delaware Bay to catch the favourable current joining several other boats. The winds picked up by mid morning to about 18 kts NNE, against the current so waves picked up quickly for a bumpy ride. Everything calmed down in the Delaware River and we enjoy a beautiful warm sunny afternoon at the anchorage. Duane greeted us with cold beer as we arrived which was much appreciated! Calm evening and beautiful sunset. Anchored just north of the entry to the Chesapeake & Delaware Canal.

Light winds but we were able to sail for a couple hours in 10kts. Seas were calmer, smaller swells than yesterday. Anchored near Lewes, ready to head up Delaware Bay to the C&D canal early tomorrow to get favourable tidal current.

Left before sunrise to make the inlet to Atlantic City in daylight. Seas were 3-5 feet with a 6-7 sec period, felt like a significant swell but pretty comfortable all day. Beautiful warm sunny day with no wind until the last couple hours, still light. Saw a whale off our port bow, by the time I got my camera it was right beside us! No time to alter course and it swam under us! Coming into Atlantic City inlet the swells were significant and the sun low in the sky made picking out the buoys a bit difficult. Followed the charts and it was no problem. The Golden Nugget Farley State marina docks were good, self serve fuel after 5PM. Not the nicest place but good if you like casinos. We enjoyed a meal at Lillies and a margarita at Dos Caminos

We left city Island at 8:30AM to time the currents for an easy passage through Hell Gate and down the East River through NewYork. 9 different bridges all with very high fixed clearances. So much to look at, so many sounds, helicopters, sirens and even a float plane took off amongst the ferries at one point. Traffic got busier just before entering the harbor near the Statue of Liberty. Our friend James sent us videos of us on the river and passing by the Statue of Liberty from Harbor web cams. So exciting to see that and amazing when you receive that from someone at home 🥰 Weather was good and winds were light. Once we arrived at Atlantic Highlands the winds picked up from the east so a slightly rocky mooring field. No mooring balls available so we are anchored beside the mooring field inside the breakwall. Our friend Duane arrived here a couple days before us and he came out into the bay in his dinghy to meet us coming in. Another couple anchored behind us are from Bowmanville and are also heading south.

Seas were still rolling behind us today but not as bad as yesterday and the trip was much shorter. Winds gusted up to 25kts but were mostly about 15kts. Got up close with many yachts participating in a regatta but otherwise traffic was light in the west end of Long Island Sound. It’s a very misty day and overcast day. Can see the Throggs Neck Bridge where we will start our journey through NYC Harbor tomorrow.

Wind and waves were bigger than forecast. It was a quick downwind sail but seas were very confused and the wind and waves kept building through the trip. Ran into rain and fog at Oyster Bay. Everything was under control during the trip but it was not the kind of sailing I enjoy. Best not to look behind you when waves that big are pushing you along 😬

Calm seas and very light wind. Good day for motoring and getting some miles under our keel. A submarine surfaced in front of us near Fisher Island, our buddy boat had to stop to let it pass. A US Navy boat came up to them and sat in front of them even after they had answered the VHF call and said they’d hold their position. I guess the Navy wasn’t taking any chances. 😆 Helpful and friendly staff at Branford YC. Really nice yacht club, facilities looked nice even though we were there long enough to use them. Going to share some champagne and chocolate dipped strawberries with our boat buddies then head out to the Stony Creek Brewery for dinner to celebrate our anniversary!