Tuesday 25th Newport

Such an exciting day today. A little sloppy seas crossing from Fishers but a short ride. Great to pass Block Island where we will visit many times over the summer - we hope. As our new mooring  is not in place NH will take a slip at NYC until the mooring ball is in place - likely tomorrow. The diver will clean the bottom, we will have an assessment for solar panels and get measurements for the cushion that went overboard. We look forward to a great summer cruising locally, enjoying family and friends, and hopefully a return of some of those events we enjoyed in the past. 

The blog will take a hiatus for now after logging over 2200 nautical miles, through more than eleven states, 250 engine hours, cruising canals, rivers, creeks, ocean, and bays. It has been an awesome experience and NH has made this adventure extra special and feeling lots of gratitude. Nana and Nandad have learned a lot during that time and look forward to planning the continuation of The Great Loop in 2022. 

Monday 24th Fischer’s Island

This is a favorite spot for Nana and Nandad where they have spent many a fun time on Lambay ( Dehler 41 ). It is a very peaceful spot mostly full of private homes - two thirds of the eastern side is private restricted by a guarded barrier- but a quaint downtown lies to the west. The harbor has several moorings and today there are actually three boats inside. NH anchors outside and although she rock and rolled as the small boats continued to go in and out of the harbor it was well worth the sunset and almost full moon view we had for the evening. 

Nandad doing what he does best- nice job Nandad

Milford Yacht Club

Sunday morning was the perfect day for our cruise to Milford Yacht Club where we are planning on meeting our sister-in-law Bridget, who we have not seen in several months due to the pandemic. We left Manhasset Bay around 11 am after a very relaxing morning on the dock and we were  tied up at the dock in Milford by 4 pm. A very busy approach with Charles Island packed with beached boats and lots of activity heading into the harbor. Bridget can actually see NH from the comfort of her home. We had some wonderful home cookin, great catch-up chat and a wonderful breakfast at Pops before we were on our way to Fishers Island - our last leg of the journey to NH’s final destination of Newport RI. 

Manhasset Bay

Now Nana and Nandad are members of Safe Harbor Marinas so NH stays at Safe Harbor Capri Marina in Port Washington. Manhasset Bay is really quite large with lots of sailboats, moorings, marinas and three yacht clubs. It was once called Cow Bay due to the rich pastures where the 17th century settlers’ bovine grazed! Here the extremely wealthy lived in Irish castles and Norman mansions so the homes are truly spectacular looking out over the hills on the bay. It is in this spot that F Scott Fitzgerald is said to have written his famous novel The Great Gatsby’s. The fictional town of West Egg in the novel is actually Great Neck ( where Fitzgerald Lived ) and East Egg was Sands Point at the tip of the Port Washington peninsula.

Just a few of the sailboats in this lovely harbor. The Port Washington Water Taxi will pick you up from your boat, marina or anchor and take you to town. There is also a service to City Island. On recommendation from our lovely launch driver Nana and Nandad went to Finn MacCools for a great dinner. 

NYC 5/22

This picture will give you the perfect layout of our trip yesterday.

And this one will give you a good idea of our cruising today. We did leave early to catch the tide at Manasquan Inlet which meant we were up at  Sandy Hook by 12 pm so we did have to fight a little tide coming into New York Harbor. Sandy Hook Point was jammed with small fishing vessels and a little chaotic!The seas today were much calmer that yesterday so NH did not use as much fuel and it was a very pleasant ride. 
The Verrazano - Narrows Bridge was the first bridge to go under with lots of big traffic and water taxi’s , sail and power boats around. New York Harbor is the third biggest in the nation and snakes around Staten Island and flows into New Jersey’s Newark Bay stretching some 20 miles. Once we reached The Statue of Liberty and passed Governors Island (170 acres and open to the public for biking, picnicking, with free concerts and events) NH entered the East River so technically finishes this section of the Great Loop. NH has cruised FL,GA,SC,NC,VA,MD,DC,NJ,NY, for a total of 2109 NM. Well done Nana and Nandad.

The Loopers continue on up the Hudson for 134 nautical miles from the Battery in NYC to the Troy Lock and entrance into the Erie Canal - our plan is to continue that part of the journey May 2022.

Our visibility was not great so the quality of the picture is poor and we were also a little too far! 

There is always something magical about being on the water on your boat passing Lady Liberty. Again worth the picture even if it is a little on the blurry side! This is another experience that simply has to be experienced in person and where words and descriptions will not do justice. According to the Embassy Cruising guide the East River is a 14-mile-long tidal strait that begins in New York Harbor and ends at Long Island Sound. Eight bridges cross it and 13 tunnels burrow beneath it! 

NH cruises past Wall Street, South Street Seaport and beneath several bridges - Brooklyn, Manhattan and Williamsburg passing Brooklyn to port and Queens to starboard. The Queensboro Bridge, Roosevelt Island Bridge, and Triborough Bridge preceded Hell Gate Bridge - at Wards Island. This area has a reputation for strong, reversing currents and large standing waves! Cruising past Brother Island, and Rikers Island takes NH under the Bronx-Whitestone Bridge. Throngs Neck Bridge is next connecting the Bronx with Queens and leading into Long Island Sound. Now if this doesn’t make you dizzy Nana is not sure what would! Nandad did an amazing job at the helm while Nana was busy with her camera on the bow of the boat. An amazing accomplishment to all.
NH’s destination is Port Washington which is tucked into Manhasset Bay. By 3.40 NH is again secured at her dock at Safe Harbor Capri Marina in Port Washington. What a day.

Manasquan Capt Bills’ Landing

An early start today (6.30am) so that we hit a rising tide as we leave Utsch’s Marina and head out into the North Atlantic. Now in order to have a pleasant passage once again Nandad had to run NH at top speed. Nana took the helm for a few hour which really helps with keeping her equilibrium stable. She had to work real hard today for a few hours to remain intact ( this means absolutely no food and certainly not going down below to potty). The seas were about three feet with winds 10 to 15 so not really an unpleasant ocean by any means. NH made great headway so it was decided to continue to Manasquan Inlet. By 12 .30 NH was once again on the fuel dock - this time 160 gals ( our next boat will be electric ) and by 1.30 pm she was secured into her slip right beside the Shipwreck Grill. We were greeted by the most helpful staff so far and had a great chat with Captain Bill himself. Looking forward to having dinner tonite at the Grille.

Now the New Jersey coast all the way is really most picturesque with intermittent high rise buildings but mostly private homes once you pass Atlantic City. Nana was looking forward to taking lots of pictures as NH cruised about one mile off the coast however due to her challenge of trying to stay focused Nandad had to take the pictures. This picture is of the Trump Taj Mahal Casino from a distance. I believe it’s empty after years of underperformance and demolition is currently underway - but I stand to be corrected. 

Nana was so happy to have a wonderful walk to the perfect beach. NH is up the Manasquan River in a little town called Brielle. The Manasquan River marks the start of New Jersey’s Intercoastal Waterway. ( NH cruised outside due to the shoaling that takes place on the NJICW ). It was fun to watch the boats come into the Inlet later in the afternoon as the wind picked up the swells increased. There is no boardwalk along Manasquan Beach however a paved walkway separating the homes from the beach seems to go on forever where you can be up close and personal with some lovely homes. Lots of little creeks, rivers, and marshes in this area which is also full of fishing vessels. A very pretty spot that I bet is very busy in the summer months.  

Tomorrow Saturday we will head for NYc and ultimately  Port Washington. 

Just before we left to have dinner the River Queen pulled out with a private party. She look really pretty. Dinner at the Shipwreck was amazing - a little pricey but well worth it. Early the next morning Nandad watched as the fishing vessel Jamaica 11 took a very full load of tourists out on a fishing expedition.

Dockage at Utsch’s Marina Cape May NJ

Today NH cruised two canals , the C&D canal ( 12 miles ) and the Cape May canal (2.9 miles). Our efforts calculating the tides were very important today and well worth the time it took to calculate. Nice job for persisting Nandad. NH cruised along the C&D canal and came into the entrance of Delaware Bay as planned by 12.30pm. We had company along the way with a few fellow loopers. Just as we were entering Delaware Bay the Guardian Leader was entering the canal. She was the only big ship we encountered. That is her bow coming towards us and the cruiser at out bow is the DC Cruises boat.

We had a very choppy ride once we entered the Delaware Bay so NH cruised at about 16 knots as the skipper watched the fuel gauge drop very quickly! The price we pay for comfort. NH was docked by 4pm after taking on 130 gals of diesel, which was perfect timing to washdown, relax after a long ride and put dinner in the oven.

 Now five years ago Nana and Nandad were here with Ireland’s Eye. It is nice to see the marina continues to hand out their welcoming bag which includes a bottle of wine, biscotti, soap and lots of information. 

Just after dinner (8.30pm) Nandad noticed the depth gauge reading was 0.9 feet , which means we were very close to touching bottom!!! Now low tide is not until 9.15pm so once again the tide will dictate what time we leave in the morning.

An early start tomorrow morning to catch the tide once more and maybe make it to Barneget NJ. Nana is not a fan of getting out of bed before 7am but I guess will have to make an exception. 

NH anchors at Chesapeake City

 The chart shows NH cruising through the Kent Narrows up the Chester River  passing the Worton and Fairlee Creeks, Still Pond, Sassafras River, Bohemian River, Elk River into the C&D Canal. The tides and currents are really important in this area. The C&D Canal is the busiest in the nation and the third busiest in the world according to the Waterways Guide. NH anchors in the basin right adjacent to the Chesapeake Inn and has a wonderful afternoon and evening watching the local traffic come and go between small cruising boats, Jet skis, motor bikes, and local traffic enjoying all that the area provides.

Apologies for the quality of pictures however that’s what happens when you take a picture of a picture on you cellphone! At least it gives you an idea. 

Thursday May 20th we will leave for Cape May. After studying the tides we believe the best time to leave will be around 10.30 which should give us some nice tide for the 12 mile trip through the canal and then hopefully the tide will also be in our favor from Delaware to Cape May another 62 miles. We will see! 

Cannons at St Michael’s

Now Nana always likes to give accurate information so this morning on her short walk she noticed that there was a difference between St Mary’s Park and St Marys Square - who would have thought.

 Now St Mary’s Square is where the original cannon is placed. 

It all gets very confusing after a while! Not sure which stories are accurate but I guess they all have their tales to tell and we are so lucky to be present to share. A very unique place and well worth a visit by land or by sea.

Blue Heron’s

Cruising is always an adventure and while on the water taxi we came across this amazing picture on Long Haul Creek. This is a blue heron drying his insides out in full sunshine!

While cruising the Kent Narrows we also came across another blue heron perched on the piling! What a magnificent bird. This picture was taken while cruising under The Blue Star Memorial Highway Bridge where the current was very strong! NH’s home port was Piney Narrows Yacht Haven so it was a little nostalgic to be passing her home port. 

Layday at St Michael’s

St Michael’s is located on the Miles River and is named for the Archangel St Michael after the Christ Episcopal Church of St Michael the Archangel parish founded in 1677. The town is full of historic homes, inns, restaurants, very unique shoppes and has a brewery and a winery. It is also home to the Chesapeake Bay Maritime Museum so lots going on in this busy harbor. The picture of the signage gives you an idea of how quaint the town is.

The Museum is currently building the new Maryland Dove , a representation of the vessel that accompanied the first European settlers to Maryland in 1634. Quite the project that will take approximately three years with twelve full time expert shipwrights. A wonderful display of various skipjacks and the 1879 Hooper Strait Lighthouse are right there to view. The campus itself is 18 acres and the perfect place for families to picnic and play.

Union jacks are flying everywhere! St Mary’s Park is the location of one of the two cannons commemorating “ the town that fooled the British” during the War of 1812. The story goes that when the British began shelling St Michael’s in 1813 the residents placed lanterns into the tops of the trees in order to fool the redcoats into shooting too high. The private home called Cannonball House has the evidence! The person on the bench is not Nandad. 

Another picture of the wooden boats at the museum. That is Nandad in the background and the Hooper Lighthouse.

This afternoon Nana and Nandad are taking a small watercraft tour of the harbor. Leaving for Chesapeake City tomorrow but this spot sure deserves a stop another time. 

NH is docked at St Michael’s

NH cruised up the Chesapeake Bay leaving Tilgham Island on our starboard side, round Eastern Bay and Deep Water Point into the Miles River to St Michael’s. This was the most traffic we have witnessed on this trip with sailboats, motorboats, cargo ships and the coastguard passing us by.

After NH is safely secured into her dock and a good scrubbing makes her nice and shiny Nandad is happy to have his treat.

Solomons Island : Sunday 5/16

After a lovely evening on Anchorage NH left for the Solomons Island which as the crow flies is only twelve miles,  however with the way bay and the river flows it is approximately 42 NM. We cruised out the Potomac River into the Chesapeake Bay and up into the Patuxent River. Today was a perfect day for cruising the bay with lots of sunshine and very little wind. At 4.30pm we were ready for a short bike ride courtesy of Safe Harbor  Zahnisers.

This is just another beautiful home on the way into the Solomons.

Solomons is the home to the Calvert Marine Museum where you can see an exhibit of J.C. Lore Oyster House which depicts the seafood harvesting and processing business which once flourished in Solomons. In 1870 , because of Issac Solomon’s oyster packing facilities, the island was renamed. The Island is also home to the Chesapeake Biological Laboratory. When on our bike ride we came across this display. This is reminder to all how important it is to make some positive changes to our environment. 

A little before sunset this lovely classical boat came cruising past. Tomorrow Nana and Nandad are heading to St Michael’s 

Our route today. NH is now in Maryland. 

Before leaving Solomons on Monday morning Nana and Nandad were able to attend Mass at Our  Lady Star of the Sea. 

On our walk we came across these perfect black and white Retriever’s. Now initially Nana thought they were real! 

The Chesapeake Bay Retriever is the State Dog of Maryland, a working dog breed that recover waterfowl for hunters. 

Nana also discovered that those box covered structures she noticed along the bay are called duck blinds ! 

Who would have guessed!

Mount Vernon 5/15

New Horizon found her way today to George Washington’s Mount Vernon. Mount Vernon was George Washington’s home for 45 years. It was really extra special to arrive by boat and a perfect day for walking the grounds. We spent a few hours touring the house, grounds, gardens, memorials, and museum. We did not have time  to visit the Distillery and Gristmill which is three miles from the site. The Generals whiskey is still made on-site. At the Education Center they have wonderful exhibits and the Revolutionary War 4D Theater is a must. 

Did you know that George Washington had only one tooth left by the time he was elected President! His dentures were made from ivory, human and animal teeth. 

The picture below is a very serious Nana - in the background Martha and George Washington’s Tomb. George died 1799 at Mount Vernon from a severe throat infection and Martha died three years later. In December 1800 Martha chose to free her late husband’s slaves ( George Washington left directions for the emancipation of all the slaves that he owned, after the death of Martha Washington) and signed a deed of manumission. The original burial vault is located nearby and the tomb was completed in 1831.

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There is also a memorial to all the slaves that worked on the farm over the years. There are no records that document the number of enslaved or free African- Americans who are buried in the cemetery. Estimates range from 100 to 150. 

After leaving Mount Vernon NH cruised back down the Potomac River and dropped anchor at Breton Bay beside Protestant Point near Lovers Point! North Shore ( Mile 25). A great beef stew was ready just in time to watch yet another sunset. A lovely quite spot. Apologies for the blurry picture which was taken from a picture I took with the camera and than the iPhone. Sunset was 8.10pm. 

Georgetown 5/14

Nana and Nandad once again took the water taxi this time to Georgetown where Nandad really enjoyed strolling around the University and taking in all the wonderful olde world buildings. We had the perfect lunch at a wonderful restaurant right at the River with the background of the JFK Performing Arts Building and the Watergate buildings. We really will have to return to attend a performance. 

Now after four day in Washington we have noticed an increase in the planes that are flying in and out of the airport - a sign that things are beginning to open up again. Also extensive military presence is noted with the multiple helicopters flying overhead. They make your boat shuddered and there is no real schedule, which of course is intentional. Military Installations include Fort Belvoir, Joint Base Anacostia-Bolling, Naval Support Facility Anacostia,Washington Navy Yard and Fort Mc Nair. 

The above picture is Nana contemplating while watching the Capital

The Franklin Delano Roosevelt Memorial 

Washington DC 5/11 to 5/ 15

NH at her slip at the Capital Yacht Club right down town within walking and biking distance to all that Washington has to offer. Now Nandad was very excited and was really thrilled to cruise under the Woodrow Wilson Memorial Bridge.

Nana and Nandad will spend four nights at the Marina and plan to visit all the memorials, monument and any outdoor facilities that we are permitted to access. It is very strange to be able to bike right up to the monument, no crowds, no fuss , as due to COVID and events of Jan 6th Washington is still in lockdown mode. The Wharf area is really still underdevelopment but so far they have created quite the area for walking, dining and enjoying the waterfront. On our first night we decided to do the Old Trolley Moonlight tour and covered a lot of ground.

Wednesday Nana and Nandad repeated the tour of the memorials but this time by bike. It was really something special. We took the water taxi to Alexandria and had a wonderful dinner at Landini Brothers that lasted two hours - it reminded us of Italy. Great food, good wine and great service.

Monday May 10th Anchor at Chapman Cove

Well after a very long day Nana and Nandad decided to drop anchor at Chapman Cove. Although only a few miles from Mount Vernon it was close to six in the evening and from past experiences we have learned that it’s best not to tempt fate! The River is much wider than Nana expected and the scenery is really quite magnificent. The mouth of the River is more broad and flat while the upstream is more forested with cliffs and big houses lining the shore. 

Tuesday morning we got up early expecting to visit Mount Vernon by boat! Well unfortunately the dock for the boats was closed and the Anchorage area very shallow so it was decided to call it a day, take some pictures and perhaps take a cruise boat from Washington. 

Beautiful Mount Vernon from NH with the little red tug that did manage to anchor and dingy to the dock. It has a two foot draft!