Tuesday, May 27, 2014
At 1 pm, the boat lines were freed from the dock at Marley Creek Marina, and Dream Chaser’s engines were humming as she retraced her path back to the Chesapeake Bay and more adventures.
This afternoon, we motored passed Baltimore, the largest city in Maryland and home of the the National Aquarium, Maryland Science Center, USS Constellation, Submarine Torsk, and Harbor Place. We have Baltimore on our RETURN TO... list.
The temps climbed into the 90’s this afternoon (very hot and steamy). With the help of Sirius Satellite Weather, we were able to track an oncoming storm. We cut our speed down to an idle in the middle of the Chesapeake Bay about 3-4 miles south of where the storm cell was predicted to pass. We watched via our electronics as the big nasty thunderheads passed over the Bay. After the storm cell visited us with lightening and rain, the air cooled down and was comfortable.
About 7:30 pm, we arrived in Chesapeake City, MD known for the 14 mile long, 35 ft. deep, and 450 ft. wide canal that cuts through its center. The original Chesapeake Canal with 14 locks was 14 mi long, 10 ft deep, 66 ft. wide and was completed in 1829 (due to pressure from Benjamin Franklin and others). Today, the improved C & D Canal is at sea level with no locks!
Our plan was to tie up at the city dock, but it was full when we arrived. After floating by the dock and searching for options, we were invited to raft up next to a 37’ trawler, At Last, owned by gold loopers Jerry and Janet Guyer. Within minutes we were tied up and rafted next to “boating family”.
After securing Dream Chaser, we headed to town less than a block away. This little old canal town consists of many weathered and restored wooden buildings from the 1850’s with many housing little shops. Most everything was closed as we walked through town, but "The Tap Room" was open and our dinner of chicken wings and peel & eat shrimp was delicious!
After a nice walk, we tiptoed across the swim platform of At Last, hopped onto Dream Chaser, and settled in for the night.
Wednesday, May 28, 2014
With plans to depart Chesapeake City by 6 am, we woke before 5 am and heard the birds sing and felt the cool breeze. The sun rose at 5:37 am, the generator started up at 5:45, and the boat engines started 5 minutes later. We are using the generator more as we are without our inverter (it’s being repaired) until next week when we hopefully reach Albany, NY. Jerry was up and ready to assist with our departure, and within minutes, Dream Chaser was free and motoring through the huge amount of debris (branches, reeds, and junk) in the C & D Canal. It’s partly cloudy, temps around 70 with a 60% chance of rain later today.
At 7:15 am, we began our trip down the sometimes nasty Delaware Bay in fairly calm waters, but as the sky turns to gray cloud cover, we began to feel the assault of 2-3 ft. waves. By 11 am there is NO land to be seen in any direction. We hope to arrive at Cape May by about 1 pm.
At 2pm, Dream Chaser entered the Cape May Canal which is a 3 mile long waterway at sea level connecting Delaware Bay to Cape May Harbor. This canal was constructed by the US Army Corp of Engineers during WWII to provide a protected route to avoid Germain U-boats operating off Cape May Point. Unfortunately, the canal is known for heavy currents, tides, and shoaling; not a pleasant experience!
Cape May, NJ is at the southern point and mouth of Delaware Bay. By the mid 1700‘s, it was tourist destination for residents from from Philadelphia and is the oldest seaside resort in the US. Rebuilt after a fire in 1876, the entire city is a national landmark. Cape May is known for it’s large collection of Victorian houses-second only to San Francisco. At this point, the water takes on a tropical blue green typical of the waters of Florida.
Dream Chaser nosed into Miss Chris’s fuel dock in Cape May. She took on diesel as her bow rested in the mud due to low tide. A cold front was approaching, so we stopped for 30 minutes to re-evaluate our schedule. Captain Bob at the fuel dock did not recommend cruising outside on the Atlantic due to high waves over the next three days. Steve contacted Captain Benny at BOAT US and was advised to wait until morning to navigate the next tricky section on the waterway which is not passable unless it’s rising or high tide.
Our dockage tonight was at Utsch’s Marina at Schellenger’s Landing in Cape May, NJ. The transient slips were full with many looper boats, but the staff managed to find an empty private slip and with some assistance Dream Chaser was secured. Utsch’s Marina in Cape May is an inviting 300 slip family owned marina. We received more information on the marina and local area than any other marina, so far: tide maps, town map, rental info, local mechanics, vet services, etc. We had assistance at the dock for tie up and friendly staff in the office. We were welcomed with a gift bag: free coffee coupon, a package of biscottis, bottle of Blueberry Wine, and a marine magazine.
They really know how to treat boaters!
At 5:30 pm, there was a gathering of loopers in the meeting area of Utsch’s Marina. The topic of discussion was weather and route. For those who have too much draft to travel the ICW (Intercoastal Waterway) or masts over 35 ft., they were tracking the wind and the waves in the Atlantic Ocean. With the weather looking poorly for a run up the Atlantic coast, others were contemplating navigating the ICW. Some were sharing horror stories of friends going aground due to low water. No wonder several boat captains were drinking!
Captain Steve shared his information on the ICW route, and that Dream Chaser would be leaving in the morning by 6 am to pass through the shoaling areas during rising and high tides.
The rest of the group were hunkering down for at least a few more days- praying for better weather conditions, so they could scoot up the Atlantic coast and avoid the mud and a possible Towboat USA appointment!
It was so good to get together with loopers who we knew and others we had not met yet. We had talked via marine radio with sail boater, Andy, on Shiver Me Timbers on the Chesapeake a few weeks ago, but today we met in person. We caught back up with Don & Anita Gulseth on Limelight, Ross & Barb on Attitude Changer, and met loopers from Satisfaction, Panacea, and Francesca. Express Mail was a sailboat we were docked next to in Ft. Lauderdale, FL , and they pulled in just after we docked.
Thursday, May 29, 2014
By 6 am, Dream Chaser was motoring up the ICW under cloud covered skies and 15 mph winds. This section of the Atlantic ICW (Cape May to Atlantic City) is dreaded by boaters due to shallow depths, shoaling, and confusing buoy locations. There are numerous stories of going aground- some just a few days ago.
Dream Chaser, with Captain Steve at the helm and Admiral Mary giving navigational information, passed though the low areas and under numerous bridges without incident.
By 9 am, Dream Chaser had passed through the “bad” areas on our journey to Atlantic City, so we relaxed. With temps in the 50’s, a cup of hot tea and a fresh blueberry scone is just the answer. As we passed one of the inlets on the Atlantic Ocean and watched the huge crashing waves, we smiling and were happy to be protected on the ICW.
Weather will dramatically affect our navigational schedule due to a three hour required open Atlantic Ocean coastal run from Manasquan, NJ to NYC and the entrance to the Hudson River.
We also have life events to take into consideration. Mary’s Aunt Lois left this world and joined her husband in heaven, last night. We need to be available to fly with her sister to the funeral, if need be. We have our first grandchild who is planning his appearance within the next few weeks. Plus, all the other happenings that can affect a schedule.
The view has changed dramatically with impressive multi-story houses and docks lining the waterway and the large Ferris Wheel poking up into the skyline of Ocean City, NJ. At this point, Dream Chaser passed very close to the Ocean City Inlet to the Atlantic Ocean and the waves rolled us from all directions. In Ventnor City, the houses and buildings continue to line the narrow waterway as if every inch is spoken for; it’s like an American Venice. Some houses are built on stilts totally over the water.
There are numerous bridges along this section of the waterway- some 35 ft. and others under 22 ft. (which we require) open on demand, so it has been fairly easy. Only one New Jersey bridge tender had an ATTITUDE when we requested a bridge opening!
At 1 pm, we reached our dockaged at Gardner’s Basin in Atlantic City. Even with a very strong current, the captain and admiral had Dream Chaser secured within a few minutes.
With paid dockage, we received free tickets to the Atlantic City Aquarium nearby which was small, but very interesting. We met some interesting friends while we were there.
The Drifters, 1960's
Well, maybe not under the boardwalk, because it's a cool perfect day ON the boardwalk.
It was a quiet walk on the boardwalk because the summer and weekend crowds haven't arrived, yet.
Tonight, this is our view from Dream Chaser of the marina and (below) of Atlantic City at night.
Great adventure! Enjoy following your posts. Its interesting to hear of the high/low tides that must be managed. We have none of that on Lake Superior.
ReplyDeleteScott Kellett
Esko, MN