In for the Winter

After enjoying a week of unseasonably warm Fall weather on the Chesapeake Bay we moved Endless Summer over to Pleasure Cove Marina just off the Patapsco River near Baltimore. We have been busy getting the engines, pod drives and generator serviced as well as preparing the other operating systems for five months of winter storage.

It seems very strange to "winterize" our boat, something we haven't done in over 20 years of boating. But given that we have been living on board the past six months, it will (might) be good to have a break from the long range cruising and transiting the Intracoastal Waterway. We shall see.

Even though the boat will be stored in a indoor heated facility (to 40 degrees), we still needed to remove most of our personal belongings, portable electronics, linens and provisions. That meant renting a SUV for hauling much of our "stuff" back to Florida.

Following the haul out, wash down and storage, we climbed inside our very full SUV and headed to Florida. Two days on the road seems like an easy commute compared to moving a boat the same distance down the coast, but rest assured, it was not nearly as much fun!

So unless something dramatic happens over the next five months, this will be my final entry regrading the journey and adventure of our "Endless Summer".

Sad day as Endless Summer comes out of the water

Moving in to its indoor storage at Pleasure Cove

The Captian & Admiral are back on land

Onward to Maryland

Today we finished our last leg of the trip (for now) going from Cape May, NJ to Kent Island on Maryland's Eastern Shore. Once again, the wind and waves were "reasonably" cooperative after getting an early morning "first light" start. We traversed north on the Delaware Bay, westerly across the C&D Canal and finally turning south into the Chesapeake Bay. The total run was 130 miles which we did in just over 5 hours.

Tonight, and for the next few nights, we are docked at the Bay Bridge Marina which will be our "home port" next summer. But for now, we are going to celebrate our safe passage and enjoy some time with friends before getting Endless Summer ready for her first winter.

"First Light" Cape May, NJ

Planning or Luck?

Well, yes -- a little bit of both!

While Endless Summer can handle most anything within reason, running offshore in the Atlantic Ocean is always a catch as catch can affair. One day you can have 5-7 foot head seas and the next 2-4 following. As I looked out as much as a week ago, it seemed there was going to be a "window of opportunity" today to make our run from New York City to Cape May along the New Jersey coast. That is why we left Essex Connecticut on Tuesday.

While the winds were forecast to be 12-15 knots, it was blowing from the west (offshore) so the wind waves were minimized as long as we kept close to the shore line -- which we did! The "swell waves" -- those things that surfers yearn for were forecast for 2 feet out of the south at 10 seconds apart. The combination was more than manageable and we had a very pleasant (well, at least reasonable) six hour run.

Running offshore is often less interesting than inside the Intracoastal Waterway because there isn't that much to look at except the distant passing shoreline or the open ocean horizon. Today, we were treated to not just dolphins dancing in the waves but we even saw a whale. Either that, or it was the biggest damn fish I've ever seen! Regardless, keeping a watchful eye made the time pass more quickly.

The other good thing that happened was the sun was shining bright, the sky was crystal clear and the air temperature was somewhat warmer. That always makes for a better day!

Nipping at Our Nose

As I worked on planning the three days from Connecticut to Maryland I was careful to study the wind and wave forecasts, the tidal current down the East River through Hell Gate, and especially the offshore run down the New Jersey coastline. The one thing I didn't really pay much attention to was the forecasted outside temperatures. Big mistake!

Yesterday, New England weather took an abrupt turn as temperatures dropped and the winds started to howl. We went from wearing light-weight sweaters to full-on fleece and gloves in a matter of 24 hours. This morning when we woke up it was 38 degrees with the wind decidedly nipping at our nose! It was definitely time to head south!

We said out final goodbyes to the great folks at Brewer Essex Island Marina and pointed Endless Summer down the Connecticut River toward Long Island Sound. The forecast was for diminishing winds out of the north and the seas were reasonably calm. As the sun brightened in the clear blue sky we got to enjoy some last "peeps" of the beautiful Fall colors along the river and sound. A perfect ending to our time in New England.

The run into New York has become one of my favorites. Seeing the city come into view from the water with its towering skyline is quite a treat. While passing through Hell Gate (a narrow confluence of fast running and turbulent water in the East River) is always a bit intimidating, we managed without incident and proceeded along the river along city edge to lower Manhattan. As we made our final turn passing under the Brooklyn Bridge the Statue of Liberty came into view, and as always, a site to behold.

Tonight we are docked at Liberty Landing Marina looking back across the Hudson River to the "city that never sleeps". The view at night is nothing short of spectacular, punctuated by Freedom Tower standing tall and proud.

Approaching NYC coming south down the East River

One of the best views anywhere

"Empty Sky" 9/11 Memorial

Lower Manhattan

Ticked in for the night at Liberty Landing 

Time to Leave New England

After a wonderful summer based in Essex Connecticut, the time has come to depart New England and head south to the Chesapeake Bay. This year we have stayed longer than normal to try and take in some cooler weather, the changing colorful Fall leaves and a few more baseball games with our kids and grand kids. One last run up the river, a final lobster roll, a cup of clam chowder and some hot mulled cider makes for a perfect ending.

We will make the run to Maryland in hopefully three stops running from Essex across the Long Island Sound, down the East River past Manhattan with a stop at Liberty Landing Marina. From there we will make the 145 mile open ocean run to Cape May, New Jersey and South Jersey Marina. From there, it will up the Delaware Bay and through the C&D Canal to the Chesapeake Bay where will will turn south and head toward Baltimore.

This year we have decided to "winter" Endless Summer at Pleasure Cove Marina in Pasadena, MD just off the the Patapsco River. We will have our annual service done there before having the boat hauled and blocked in a indoor facility that will be kept at a 40-50 degree temperature all winter. Not only does this allow us to skip the normal "winterizing" process, but gives the boat added protection from the elements until it is relaunched next Spring.

Big bother on the mound

Little brother in training 

Aft deck music and "Boat Drinks"

Our nightly Essex sunset!

Nana and the boys