We had a nice day to leave the C and D Canal accompanied by an assortment of sailboats that had to leave in the early morning hours to catch the outgoing tide down the Chesapeake. I hit the snooze button a couple of times, so we departed about an hour later. We decided to stop in Annapolis to spend a few days. We pulled into the harbor not knowing that it was the naval Academy homecoming weekend. We called ahead to the City docks to see if there were any slips available. We were told that one was open wide enough for us. We turned down the alley but the slip they told us was open was  taken. With Sharon on the bow, we slowly turned around and beat feet back to the harbor where there was more room to maneuver and plan our next move. We took a mooring ball for a few hours to settle our nerves and then moved to the Annapolis Yacht Center for our stay. Its close to the town waterfront but a little more secure.

  We wasted no time to walk around town with everyone else in Maryland. A local told me that the town waterfront is called "Ego Alley".  By the looks of some of the boats that came in and turned around and left, there were plenty of ego's to make everyone happy. Its a lot narrower that the picture makes it out to be.

Daisy May is really getting good being around so many people. She still gets startled once in a while, but most times she just looks at people, if they don't look threatening, she just keeps on walking. By the end of this trip, she will be running up to people, wanting to be petted (not).

We saw and heard an old pirate ship with about 25 kids on board singing and wearing pirate garb. I was told that is the "Chucky Cheese" of the harbor. A bunch of kids screaming and acting like pirates out for a cruise around the bay. They also had a "Help Wanted" sign posted for new captains!  

C and D Canal

Since the weather is less than ideal or even good, we decided to spend a couple of days in Chesapeake City, Md. Believe me, there are worst places to be stuck in, the town is quaint and historic. We spent the day walking through town and visiting the stores. The town park has beautiful dock space for about 4 boats, cost is free with a modest charge for electricity. The main street through town is a short 100 yards away. Tomorrow, hopefully a visit to the museum. Until then, we are taking our time, and enjoying the ride.

This is one of the small B and B's that can be found in Chesapeake City. All of the buildings were built in the late 1800's and most are in suprisingly beautiful shape considering their age. Imagine how many coats of paint has been put on the clapboard siding? But the winds we have been having the last couple of days, think of the winds blowing down the canal in the winter.

Delaware Bay

The Captain and Crew at work.

We had a great trip up the Delaware Bay today. Less than 1 foot waves and in incoming tide all the way from Cape May, N.J. to Chesapeake City, Md. We left with a group of 6 boats (4 power and 2 sail) we all arrived within about 1 hour of each other, some of us staying, some of us travelling farther. The winds were out of the south, so the sailboats took advantage of the situation. I though I saw a guy waterskiing behind a C & C 36.

Slowly, we are making progress and getting farther south, even though we had to travel 52 miles north today. No change in the leaves this far south, but the evenings cool down after sunset. Funny thing is seeing all the Halloween decorations in the stores and the temperature is still in the 70's.

The bicycles turned out to be a great idea for this trip. We got a couple days ride in while we were stuck in Cape May. Sharon got to ride her bike for the first time in many years.

Tomorrow, if the weather closes in on us like they forecast, a little walk around the town, a little relaxing, and a little more waiting. The snow shovel is still in place.

Sitting on the dock of the bay in Cape May

Since our last update, we finally departed Atlantic Highlands Marina. It was a nice trip off the coast with little wind and smooth seas. We decided to pull into Manasquan inlet for the night. The Yacht club was full of fishing boats, but everyone was just sitting on the dock. We only saw one boat return with a nice yellow fin tuna. Next day we departed for Atlantic City. We stayed at Kammermans marina. A long walk to the boardwalk, so we just relaxed on the boat for the evening. Next morning we departed for Cape May, N.J. 2 hours out, we spotted our first pod of dolphins off out port bow about 50 feet. Sharon noticed them and couldn't figure out what the commotion was in the water, then I saw their slick grey body. We had a nice cruise into the cape May harbor and pulled into our assigned slip at Utsch's marina. Here are just a few pictures from the last week. We are still sitting in Cape May, N.J. until the wind gods decide to let us pass up the Delaware Bay.

We got a bike ride in to Cape May beach. Too bad the wind was against us. But it has either been against us or not at all most of the trip.

Next on our itenerary is up the Delaware Bay to the C & D canal, then spend some time on the Chesapeake Bay.

Cape May, N.J.

We have been out of internet range since leaving Liberty Landing Marina.

It took us two tries to escape the Hudson River. The first day, we went just beyond Sandy Hook, N.J. The waves turned out to be about 5ft. Daisy May got sea sick for the first time so now she is a "Salty Dog". We turned tail and returned to Atlantic Highlands for another day. Be it the beginning of the Hudson River or the beginning of the Atlantic Ocean, it won!

We departed early the next day and had a great trip down to Mannasquan Inlet. This was a fishing paradise. Lots of 50 ft. boats simply used for the sport of fishing.

We then went to Atlantic City, we have been here before but decided to stay at Kammerman's Marina, closer to the boardwalk, but still a 10 block walk. We relaxed on the boat and looked at the lights. The next day we made it to Cape May. We would consider our vacation (winter) would start when we reached Utsch's Marina in Cape May, N.J. this will be the beginning of our trek up the Delaware Bay. We are looking forward to the next 3 weeks of the bays to enjoy ourselves.

Many pictures to follow.

Jim and Sharon Bennett

Daisy May, Bunn

October 4th, 2011

Just another day of relaxing and waiting out the weather. But the sky opened up this evening with a beautiful sunset. So it looks like a great day to travel tomorrow.

Day 6, N.Y.C.

We finally have NYC in our view. We departed Haverstraw early this morning and enjoyed the trip through the city. This will be the last time we are on the Hudson River for six months. Some days have been trying and long but it is a beautiful cruise. From the time we left, you go from seeing the skyline of Albany, to farmland, to the riverside towns, then the mountain parts and the scenery changes so quickly. You go from cruising for hours and not seeing another boat to seeing Yellow and Black ferries, barges being pushed by tugs, Statue of Liberty Cruise boats, Homeland Security boats shadowing under the GWB and along the numbered piers, FDNY fireboats, NYPD patrol boats and I even saw a couple of guys in Kayaks fighting the constant wakes from the passing boats.

We met the famous Lex.

While we were in Newburgh, we met the famous Lex. He is the one responsible for the web section of "Boating on the Hudson and beyond" We had the opportunity to be interviewed for the web site. You can see this video now on youtube.com and search "the adventures of jim and sharon bennett".

Another day on the Hudson

Another day on the Hudson River. The nights are turning colder. But the trees are still green compared to the color when we left. We decided to spend a couple of days in Haverstraw to relax and let this cold front get out of the area. West Point was overcast when we went by. They were playing a football game, so we thought we would go a little closer to shore. Then we heard the cannon shot. We figured they scored a touchdown or we were too close. So we continued south at our usual pace of 7 knots.

We love the lighthouses on the Hudson. Although unmanned and old, they are all in surprisingly good shape. It's a testament to the craftsmanship and care that was involved in their construction so many decades ago. It also reminds us of the lighthouse at our home marina.

Daisy May is enjoying the trip and has discovered that the couch on the fly bridge suits her fine when when we are cruising. I discovered that we also have Bun along for the trip. I noticed Bun showing up in a lot of pictures, so we sat on then back deck this morning and had coffee.

Tomorrow will be our last day in New York. We should enjoy a nice trip through the city, then on to N.J.