Chapter 58: Cape May to New York City

Log 58
Cape May, NJ to New York City

2:00 PM
Wednesday, June 28, 2000
Richmond Airport
Richmond, VA.

Day??

Well it’s time to update my logs. It has been some time since I sat down and tracked our progress, and a lot has happened. So let me get everyone updated.


Day 74
The trip from Cape May to Atlantic City was some the roughest of the entire trip. We had planned to leave Cape May early, but heavy fog, and rain had us rethink our decision, so we decided to delay our departure while the girls made us a great breakfast. While waiting I watched the weather, and
listened to the ship to shore. The prediction was for the rain to pass, and then to return again later in the day. As I waited, I got antsy, so we decided to leave about 9 AM, and try to head out and see what it was like.
The trip from the marina to the Atlantic was only a mile, or less. While we were heading out we could tell that it didn’t look to good, and as we entered the mouth of the channel the boat started to climb over the swells. By the time we were out in the Atlantic we could tell we were in for a long trip, even though it was only about 35 miles. Our course up to Atlantic City showed to be about 60 degrees on the autopilot, but the waves (on the dock they said they were 4 to 6 with a regular 7 tossed in for good measure) wouldn’t let me follow that heading because it was too rough. I ended up having to almost tack like a sail boat would in order to make it as comfortable as possible, and even then it was almost impossible to stand up. Deb found a new spot on the boat. She ended up perching between the kitchen counter, and the electrical panel. (I realize that doesn’t mean anything to some of you, but if you have been on the boat you’ll know exactly where I mean) That position was as far back as you can get inside the boat (which is always the smoothest spot) and it was next to the window, so she could see out. The good news was seeing out the window helped her not to be as sea sick (which she still was) but the bad news was she could see the large swells coming toward the boat, and occasionally she would call out “hold on” as a rouge wave would hit us on the side. The other thing about this leg was we couldn’t see hardly anything. The fog remained pretty thick, so I had to count on the radar to make sure we were tracking the shoreline. It was interesting.
We arrived Atlantic City about 1:30 PM. We stayed at Trump Plaza Marina, which is very close inside the harbor, and you would never guess that it was bad out there (the Atlantic) at all. Inside it was a light wind, and actually very pleasant. You could also tell it was starting to warm up, which is exactly what the prediction was.
The afternoon was spent recouping from the trip, and getting our bearings around the harbor. We all took a walk around the marina, and we also went into the large Trump casino attached to the marina. Looking back it was kind of neat to see that, but when we were there I didn’t take advantage of it at all. When I’m on a boat that is all I do. Boat.
For dinner we made reservations at the Trump Marina restaurant, and got a table overlooking the harbor. We had a great dinner, even though it was the most we had paid so far. You would think that after that we would all head to the casino to try our luck, but instead we didn’t even talk about it, and just naturally headed back to the boat. Looking back it seems strange, but at the time, it made perfect sense.

Day 75

The weather was predicted to be better than yesterday, but still 2 to 4 footers on the ocean. We decided to get an early start before the winds picked up, and things had a chance to stir up more than they were. Coming out of the harbor you could tell it was much better than the day before, but still fairly rough. We had about 50 miles to go to get to Manasquan Inlet, and the heading was about 35 degrees. We had now spent the last two days driving from inside, so this was normal for us to take our positions. Barb and Theresa on the couch, Rome up near the helm, and Deb on her “panel perch”. As it turned out the trip was not that bad. It certainly wasn’t smooth, but after the day before we were grateful for anything less. It was also a lot foggier. I had to keep a very close eye on the radar, because the visibility was down to less than a quarter of a mile. How do we know? Because a couple of times I had a strong signal on the radar which caused us to alter our course, and we found out when we got very close that they were boats sitting out there fishing, and you couldn’t see them until you were almost on top of them. Without the radar, we would have been lost. Seriously lost. But between the radar, autopilot, and chart plotter, we were in great shape. (A couple of times I pointed out to Deb what great decisions I had made by purchasing these badly needed items) They especially became important when we reached the mouth of Manasquan Inlet. It was so foggy we couldn’t find it, so I used the chart plotter to point to the center of the harbor, and the radar to keep us from hitting anyone. It worked, and once inside the harbor the sky was clear, and not foggy at all.
Rome called Manasquan a weekend town. You could tell it was meant for tourists to come down on a weekend and rent small houses, and condos along the ocean. There were a few marinas, and although they were fairly old, they were adequate. Our marina was nothing special, but it did border the town, and we could walk to a neat little bar/restaurant, which over looked the small harbor. We took advantage of that, and went over there for a late lunch. After lunch while others took walks, and relaxed I spent most of my time on the phone, and working on Pro Source stuff. Things were really heating up in Richmond, and I needed to be in touch. Based on what was going on, I needed to be making a decision shortly as to what I was going to do. I really needed to be there.
Dinner was planned on the boat. I’m sure we had something very good, but I honestly can’t remember what it was. (Hey………it’s been almost 2 weeks) In fact, I can’t seem to remember much about the rest of the evening, but as I say, I’m sure it was great!

Day 76

The day began with a beautiful morning, a bright sun, and no breeze. We had decided to leave early, so we could take advantage of the calm seas, and get to New York early. Everyone was up early, and looking forward to getting to New York. I was excited, and hoping that the Atlantic would cooperate with us today. For the last 3 days we had been in rough seas, and rough weather, and we needed a break. Well we got it. As we headed out into the Atlantic the swells were very gentle, and wide apart, and it made the going easy. Rather than drive from the lower helm, we decided to go up top, because we wanted to come into New York the right way. The sun was coming up, and it was really neat to see it develop over the top of all that water (I swear I could see London) I set up the chart plotter for a buoy in the middle of the New York City Hudson River channel, and locked the auto pilot in on that heading. (26 miles at about 22 degrees)
Side note: When we were in Manasquan we met another couple that were on a boat “The Patty” making the Great Circle Trip (I wonder why I always capitalize this?) This guy was a dandy. They had a single engine trawler style boat, and he was heading to New York too. During the afternoon before, he came over to our boat, and asked if he could tag along with us up to New York because, as he put it “I don’t know why this leg scares me so much, but I sure would like to follow someone into New York. If it’s nice out, no problem, but I’d like to follow you if you don’t mind.” What could I say? “No problem” I said”, we’ll leave at about 6:30”.
So anyway with “The Patty” close behind we were head’n to New York. As it turned out the swells were just enough to make me want to go a little faster than they could go, and it was a gorgeous morning, so I called The Patty and asked if they were ok, and if so I was going to pick it up a little so we could “ride” the swells. (The wind was out of the south, so the swells were almost on our stern)
The rest of the story has two versions. I’ll tell the good one first.
About half way to New York I brought the throttles back to almost an idle, and we traveled that way all the way in. The morning was just perfect. Sunny, with a slight breeze at our backs, and the anticipation of seeing The Statue of Liberty.
We hit our marker about 9:00, and joined the ship channel heading for the Hudson. The first thing that came into view was the New York skyline. The sun was still not all the way up yet, and it was great as it shined on the buildings. As this was happening, all of a sudden a butterfly appeared out of nowhere, and flew just above the fly bridge, as if to welcome us. Then we looked up and the Concord was flying above us, landing gear down, preparing to land. We were all commenting how neat this was when in the distance we could see three helicopters coming down the Hudson. As it turned out it was the President’s helicopter (well we can’t verify that he was in it, but it was the one you always see that lands on the White House lawn), and two escorts. By now we are thinking “WOW” this is quite a welcome.
The next thing we recognized was Coney Island, and then we spot the Empire State Building. I’m thinking this is really neat stuff, and I asked Deb to fix us a bloody mary so we’d be ready to toast when the Statue comes into view. With bloody mary in hand we come under the Verrenzano Bridge, which connects New Jersey to Manhattan. As we do the Statue of Liberty comes into view, and it was pretty special. I’m sure it didn’t have the same meaning that some of our ancestors felt, but I will tell you it was neat, and Barb must have taken a hundred pictures. In fact I just saw some of the pictures that Deb took, and they are great.
Once we passed the Statue we made our way up the Hudson a little ways to see what else we could see. (While we were doing this, a blimp flew overhead, and a jet fighter buzzed us, so the welcome from the sky was complete) The city is getting ready for the Tall Ships to arrive so there were posters everywhere, and people were getting ready to celebrate the 4th. We only went a mile or two up the Hudson, but it was quite a treat to see New York this way. (I can’t wait to go all the way up the Hudson on the next leg)
Our marina is called Liberty Landing. It’s located just across the Hudson from Manhattan, and right next to Ellis Island. As you sit on the back of the boat and look east you see the Manhattan skyline. Look to the Northeast and you see the Empire State Building, and if you look just a little south you see the Statue of Liberty. Like I said. Neat.
Once tied up in our slip we got our bearings, and toured the marina a little bit. The place was quite a buzz of activity because they had over 50 large “muscle boats” (Donnie….you would have loved it!) The dock master told me he was expecting the Mayor, celebrities, bands, and it was going to be quite a happening. He was right, but you could tell that these folks thought they were something special. They walked around like everyone else should be impressed or something. If so, we couldn’t tell why. Oh well.
For dinner we took the ferry that stopped at our marina, and went to Lower Manhattan, in the heart of the financial district, and found a neat “New York style” restaurant. It was not the best place we had ever eaten, but it was perfect for us to experience a typical New York eatery. On the ferry ride back, the night, and the view were just unbelievable. There was a full (and I mean we’re talking FULL) moon that was coming up over the skyline. Something I’ll always remember. Back at the boat everyone sat on the back deck, and enjoyed a Baileys before bed. Great Day!

I’ll keep you posted…

BK