Here we are in Atlantic City, after a nearly 40 hour trip from Block Island. Whew!! We did it! We got here just in time, too, because the now the wind is starting to really howl and rain is on the way.
We had smooth, calm sailing most of the way, although the last 60 miles or so was a downwind run that caused the boat to rock uncomfortably for most of the day. I got a little seasick for the first time ever and felt pretty green all day.
We had hoped to make it in just before dark, but as it turned out we approached the inlet just after dark, and it was incredibly stressfull navigating our way in with a crosswind and 6-10 foot waves on the beam. The anchorage here is really sketchy with minimal markers, and was it not fun getting in here in the dark. With all the brightly lit casino buildings here, the anchorage sure is dark!
A few highlights of our sail were a large pod of dolphins who played and swam in our bow wake under the silver full moon light at 3 am. They were magically delightful, and a sweet surprise!
We also had a unexpected hitchiker who accompanied us for a good portion of the trip. A tiny wren found our boat 15 miles off the coast of Long Island and stayed on and around the boat all day and all night. He hopped around the deck taking a break from wherever he was going…..where was he going? What was a lone wren doing way out at sea?! Migrating perhaps….
Anyway, I gave the wee bird some water and crumbs and they were much appreciated.
Our cats were too busy with their itinerary of napping and lounging inside the cabin to even notice our visitor out on the deck. But at about 7 am the bird flew inside the cabin and did those cats wake up fast!! (as did I, who was sleeping at the time) There was major commotion inside for a few mintues, with the bird flapping wildy trying to escape, and two cats having the most exciting time on the boat EVER. Amazingly, the wren escaped, and disappeared for quite a few hours. But later in the afternoon I saw him return, circle our boat a few times as if the say goodbye, and then flutter off alone over the vast sea.
Other than our few visitors, it was pretty uneventful out there. Here we were all nervous about going out to sea, and once we were out there, there really wasn’t much to do or worry about! (except for the inlet). We had lovely mild weather and light winds, so it was a breeze!
We have now expierienced our boat in a pretty wide variety of conditions, and are getting to know her better. The shakedown cruise is shakin!!
– Capt’n K & Lala
Good job. I recommend less drowsy dramamine. You never know when the boat motion will get you.
So glad you made it safely. You two are going to turn all your friends gray haired before their time. I was laughing so hard about the bird in the boat and you and the cats and the bird. You need to keep a video going at all times.
So glad the cats didn’t try to leap off the boat after the bird and you leap off after the cats.
Oh the “tails” you four are spinning. How is that book coming by the way?????
You guys could live on the royalties, you write great! Plus think about the Jay Leno show, Good Morning America, etc etc etc….
Could the sea sickness be part of the Lyme disease meds your taking. Are you done with that? How are you feeling?
Do take care and take a lesson from the two cats and sleep for a couple of days before your next jaunt.
Love you both, God be with you
I think it is us going gray before our time!! The stress sometimes associated with sailing makes me wonder why we are out here doing this…..The first thing Cap’t K. said when we finally arrived in the anchorage at Atlantic City was that he felt like he had aged a year in the last hour!
Also, it was me, Lala, who was seasick and I haven’t been on Lyme meds, so I don’t think those were related. Capt K. just finished taking 6 week of antibiotics and is now feeling a lot better, though.
At last but not least, it is a great idea to put some type of insulation around the banging cables in the mast, however that would require taking the mast down to do, which is expensive and quite a major project. At the next available opportunity we will definitely do it, though!
Awesome! so glad to hear the winds worked in your favor. Wishing you smooth sailing the rest of the way South.