Annapolis to Old Saybrook CT

During the few days that Jeff was in DC, I took care of a few important things like getting a much needed haircut first and foremost, laundry, picking up parts and pieces for the boat and waiting for a mechanic to perform a new engine service.  The dinghy is essentially our "car" and  I found a salon across the river and made an appointment for Thursday the 5th. When the time came, I hopped in, started up the motor and was on my way.  While walking to the salon I passed a couple of ducks enjoying a puddle.

On Friday my cousin Gail and her husband Wayne came by the boat and we decided to go back to the same restaurant we had been to with our previous guests.  It's a neat place with great food.  So off we went once again in the dinghy (Gail rode with us!) and met up with Wayne there.  Gail's boys and their other halves joined us and we shared lots of great stories.

Sign outside of the Boatyard Bar and Grille

Wayne and Gail (Thanks for coming to see us guys - we had a terrific time catching up!)

Jenna and Kevin - newlyweds!

Adam and Katie (soon to be newlyweds!)

After spending almost a week in Annapolis it was time to move on.  We left the dock on the morning of June 7th, waving goodbye to a happy memories of visits with lots of friends and after fueling up, set our sights for the C&D canal. (Chesapeake & Delaware).

While at the fuel dock, a gaggle of geese paddled by....

The wind was on our nose so no sails up for us.  We motored to Chesapeake City but it was too shallow for us to enter the harbor.  We continued on to the Delaware River and anchored behind Reedy Island.  Very peaceful compared to the marina we would have stayed in.  Not much to see along the way. Osprey feeding their young...

The Chesapeake Bay Bridge (with some creative artistry looking through the dodger)

A clearer view.

A waterfront farm

Passed a car carrier

...and a fellow sailor

Watched the sun go down while at anchor

Up again the next morning bright and early to begin our continued journey.

Several families of rays passed by

Lighthouse in the distance

Up close and personal

The water was finally clear enough for dolphins! We left the muddy waters behind, rounded Cape May, up the New Jersey Coast and sailed into Atlantic City.

Another lighthouse

Almost looks like a painting!

We made it to Atlantic City and tied up at the Historic Gardner's Basin Marina which was part of the Aquarium.   The sights around us:

June 9th - Bye-bye Atlantic City.  This day proved to be a long, boring trip to Sandy Hook.  We saw some of Hurricane Sandy's aftermath.

We had visitors overhead....

and at sea

Into Sandy Hook

Tied up at Bahr's Marina in front of the restaurant just before 7pm.  No dockhands around to assist, but nevertheless we made it look like child's play.  Many faces peering out the restaurant windows... We were the only sailboat there, so we figure we must have wowed the patrons. (or at least we like to think we did)
We awoke to a foggy morning - it looked and smelled just like coastal Maine!

Left the dock in the fog and passed Wilson floating by!

Onward to NYC!

Getting closer...

 A slight delay.  Coast Guard doing security checks.

And we're off again!

We've got the Statue of Liberty in sight. Pretty exciting!!

What a busy place! Such a contrast to the lack of scenery the day before to sensory overload! See for yourself.

My brother took a picture of us from the Brooklyn Bridge webcam.  We look like a toy!

UN Building

The Chrysler Building

People waving at us from overhead!

On through Hell Gate where the Long Island Sound, East River and Harlem River all connect in one boiling body of water. Thanks for the great coaching from our friend Jack, a retired NYC Harbor pilot.

Behold, another swimming family in the middle of a busy channel.

Floating prison?

Lots of activity at LaGuardia Airport

Under the Throgs Neck Bridge and on to Oyster Bay, Long Island.

Anchored for the night in Oyster Bay and we were entertained by some wakeboarders!

The next morning we had a lazy start, as it was raining. Headed out around 10 am with intentions of anchoring in Satchem Head but had to make a slight detour.

Where we anchored to remove the crab pot line from our prop.

Two and a half hours later, we decided it would take too long to reach the only anchorage we would be protected in from the east wind, so called the Norwalk Cove Marina to see if they had an available slip. Happy Anniversary to us! I didn't have to cook - we enjoyed a great meal at the Sunset Grille near the marina.

Back out the next morning and on our way to Old Saybrook.  It's gonna be a long day!

Brrrrr! Remember all those pictures of us in shorts and how dark we were?
We're fading fast.  It's cold up here! Like the getup?

Brian's on his way!

Becky, Brandon and Brooke are on their way!
They'll all meet in Atlanta and fly together to Hartford.

And we're almost there too!

Finally! Wind was on our nose all day and we pushed through 3-4' waves.  This would typically have been a lay day for us (who wants to be out in this?) but we have big things to see and do.  My nephew is getting married on Saturday, which is why we're all here!

Rain, rain PLEASE go away!