Despite the chilly, rainy, foggy weather Apr. 23-27, we did some exploring of Atlantic City and enjoyed a wonderful dinner at the Chart House.  John and Paul walked the Boardwalk on a very rainy day while Juli got soaked to the skin and frozen while walking the dog. A couple of days later, John and Juli went to the Boardwalk as well. John had trouble with his left knee on both outings and is concerned about being able to continue with the trip as it was planned. There was rough weather outside with small craft warnings which kept us in the marina longer than we had expected (5 days).  None of us cared to gamble so it was a quiet visit to AC.  Of course, the extended stay in an expensive marina added to the cost ($459 total).  The facilities are good and clean however.

On April 28 the offshore reports were greatly improved so we headed towards Manasquan, NJ.  We made excellent time, however, and the waves were lessening so it was decided to travel on to Sandy Hook (Atlantic Highlands), NJ.  We arrived at 1845 after 11hrs 35 min on the water. The engine reached exactly 2000 hrs of operation on this run (Lotto anyone?)  We took a mooring but were unable to reach anyone at the marina.  Evidently it was too early in the season so we lucked out with a free mooring for the night!  John met a fellow Dutchman, Johan , who was moored nearby.  He visited our boat and learned he would be  leaving soon and his next stop would be the Azores on his way home!  We wish Johan and his crew fair winds and calm seas.  (His wife is flying home – smart lady) 

We left at 0630 on Apr. 29 in heavy fog. We carefully navigated by radar and avoided shipping channels. We travelled under the Verrazano Narrows Bridge and could only see the bridge towers until we were virtually under the bridge deck. We were then greeted by a total white-out of fog and we utilized the fog horn. Therefore, we crossed through the anchorage for large ships knowing there would be no traffic. We passed at least 5 or 6 ocean-going ships at anchor.  The fog soon began to burn off and we had excellent views of the Statue of Liberty, Ellis Island, Manhattan, and Freedom Tower. The current changed here and we rode it almost all the way to Poughkeepsie. On the way we passed Hoboken, NJ where John stepped off the boat as a 12-yr-old immigrant from Holland in 1953.  We passed under the George Washington Bridge (where we saw the Little Red Lighthouse), the Tappan Zee Bridge, the Bear Mountain Bridge, Newburgh/Beacon Bridge, and the Mid-Hudson Bridge. Other sights along the way included West Point and Constitution Island, Indian Point Nuclear Plant, Culinary Institute of America, Marist College, and Pete Seeger’s boat, “Clearwater,” a replica Hudson River Sloop.  We rolled the jib out in heavy west winds (20-30 knots) and travelled 8 – 9 knots with the engine at only 1600 rpm’s. After 12 hrs 45 min. we finally arrived at Poughkeepsie Yacht Club - this is Dutchess’ home berth.  The dogs were so happy to see grass after being onboard with no relief for 36 hrs! John addressed the knee issue here and was given a cortisone shot and some anti-inflammatory meds which has given him great relief – the trip will proceed!

We left for Delaware City on April 19. We entered the Chesapeake/Delaware Canal at 1140 hrs. Cloudy, light wind and chilly – no sailing on the canal. Turned up the Delaware River to go to Delaware City Marina. Tied to the dock on starboard and using the current and long lines we flipped the boat so we were tied on port side for an easy departure. We walked around town – Delaware City is somewhat depressed but they have a nice park near the water. Cost for stay was $87.20. The dockmaster had a captains’ meeting at 1700 hrs to discuss currents, weather and waves           on the Delaware River.  We were advised to leave early in the morning to catch the current running down river.

We left at 0630 and had an uneventful, easy sail down the Delaware. When we hit the lower Chesapeake there were standing waves where the currents from the ocean and the river met.  We couldn’t use the Cape May Canal because the tide was too high for Dutchess to clear the bridges on the canal. We motored around Cape May Point and into Cape May Inlet where we docked at Utch’s Marina. Cost was $176 for dockage (2 nights) and $114.95 for 50 gallons of diesel. The marina was being dredged and it was turned into a rough construction site rather than an upscale marina. The restroom facilities were well-maintained however. We dined twice at the Lobster House – once in the luncheonette and also in the diningroom.  We took a cab to the pedestrian walking mall for shopping, made our way to the beach, and enjoyed seeing the Victorian homes.  Cape May is beautiful and very well kept – blooming flowers in all the yards – no litter or debris anywhere.

Walking the beach.

On April 22, we left for Atlantic City by traveling about 3 mi offshore in the Atlantic for 40 nautical miles.  There were 20+ knot winds on the nose which made for Mr. Toad’s Wild Ride! We were bouncing and rocking and rolling all the way – even the Skipper was sick!  We docked in front of the Golden Nugget Casino at the Farley State Marina (formerly belonging to The Donald). The cost here is $1.80/ft with the AGLCA discount.  We had planned to stay just one night but conditions off-shore are keeping us here a few extra days (and we don’t even like to gamble!).

Casinos at night.

Testing sails for Dutchess - 007 at Severn Yacht Center in Hayes, VA prior to leaving on the trip to Canada.

We left Solomon on April 16  and enjoyed warm temps and calm seas as we traveled to Annapolis,MD.  The first night we attached to a mooring buoy - the dogs could not be coaxed to do their business on a rug placed on the stern deck for that purpose.  On the morning of April 17 we moved to a bulkhead in "Ego Alley." The dogs were quite happy to disembark!  One of our neighbors in Ego Alley was a 300-ft yacht on its way to the Mediterranean for the summer.
We enjoyed walking around and exploring Annapolis. The facilities were close-by and were fair to middling, but shops and restaurants were steps away. Cost for the buoy was $35 and the docking fee was $2.25/ft x 44 + electric = $109.
April 18 saw a relatively short (6 1/4 hrs) trip further up the Chesapeake in calm waters to Bohemia Yacht Harbor near Chesapeake City,Maryland.  It is a large marina with good facilities.We can even watch MSNBC! Cost is $1/ft+$5 electric and $5 pump out = $54. We had pizza delivered to the boat for dinner -- a real luxury! We plan to move on to Delaware City in the morning.

We traveled from Hayes, VA to Tangier Island, VA on 4/12/17. Waters were calm and no wind so we were on the engine all the way.  We arrived at Parks Marina around 4 pm.  Parks is a very basic marina with no amenities other than restrooms which were not yet open for the season. (The cost reflects the lack of extras)  $30/day + $5 electric x 2 days = $70.




We had dinner at the only restaurant that was open - Lorraine's - and while there found ourselves in the midst of a birthday celebration for the pastor's wife with about 30 island residents. The people were very welcoming and even invited us to share in the cake and ice cream. As the residents were leaving, most stopped by the table to say hello, talk awhile, and even give hugs!
We did some extensive walking on the island and John also rode his bike.
 There are now about 700 residents (and perhaps as many cats!)









We left Tangier on 4/14/17. The main activity during the trip was avoiding crab pots. We saw several container ships on the way. We arrived at Solomon's Island, Maryland in mid-afternoon at Zahniser's Yacht Center. This is a lovely facility with many clean and well-maintained amenities. The cost reflects the upscale nature of the marina. $1.50/ft x 44 ft x 2 days + $6 for electric = $144 for two nights. They even offer a free ride to the local grocery store to stock up. There is also a boardwalk nearby.
John and Juli had dinner at the Dry Dock Restaurant on-site on 4/15/17.
Leaving for Annapolis in the morning!

Hello I am back again.

We are still in Severn Yacht Center on the Severn River in Hayes Virginia but tomorrow we are leaving for[JCK1]  Tangier Island. We have been busily prepping the boat since 3/30/17. Juli and I spent the winter in Richmond, VA along with Skipper (John’s ‘pound puppy’) and Sadie (Juli’s 11-yr-old Cavachon).

Paul, a former crew mate, is back from Montreal for this trip.

We plan to keep up the blog during this trip – welcome aboard!

---

 [JCK1]

Sunday 4/3/16 in Gardiner NY

Hello I am back!!!!!
This is a test on my new Computer that my son David is teaching me how to use. It is windows 10 which confuses this old man, but we are getting it together. I will go back to the boat on the 19th after voting in the primary.

Dutchess is now in Severn Yacht Center on the Severn River in Hayes Virginia. This is near Gloucester VA and Norfolk VA. I plan to stay there and cruise the Chesapeake Bay for the Summer. In the fall I have three options. Stay in the Chesapeake all winter, go north to the Poughkeepsie yacht club and haul out for the winter, go south to Florida and stay in some marina for months at a time.

These guys flew home on March 29 and I am now crew less.

Crew Paul Berne and Chuck Stuart

Sunday 12/20/15– in Pensacola Florida

Weather/Sea   Sunny, Windy, temp 40 to 65

   Captain - John C. Kwak crew Cécile Delannes

Well now, you have not heard from me because I am still in Pensacola.  Since Nov 18 until yesterday I was here alone. I have toured most of downtown Pensacola on my bicycle and you really learn a city if you tour it on a bike. I went for a 5 mile ride to the hospital to have my heart checked, my pacemaker was fine. I do all my shopping on the bike, there is a milk crate mounted on the stern carrier which can carry two shopping bags or a propane cylinder. I sent an email to the Mid-Hudson Power Squadron copied below;

Hello Mid-Hudson PS

I am in Pensacola waiting for crew to go to Destin, Panama City, Apalagicola, and Carabella . Then an overnight trip too Coral Springs. If any one is interested in sailing offshore, contact me at johncsykwak@gmail.com. It looks like I will have Xmas here not a white Xmas of course! Unless I find volunteers to go sooner I will stay here. My crew will be back in early January and we will proceed then. I had Thanksgiving with my sister Tonia near Tampa after an 8 hr ride. I rented a car for 6 days and got back today.

The above, was sent by Susan Ryan to Cecile Delannes who is a member of the Greenwich Power Squadron, who emailed me that she was interested. After a few emails and exchange of references she arrived last night at 2100 at Pensacola Airport where I met her with a French Flag. Oh, she is French and has a beautiful accent. She has cooked dinner and it is now time to eat so more later!!!!!!

It was delicious, Italian mild sausage with fennel that we bought today and salad. I don’t know fennel from fromage but Cecile says it is fennel. I think I am being spoiled. So far we agree on almost everything, religion, science, politics, but don’t get any ideas she is 30 years younger than me. That would be my daughter’s age if my sons had an older sister. We plan to head East when the weather lets us. In January Charles Stewart will join us and in February Paul Berthe will also join us. Paul is the French Canadian who traveled the Erie Canal with me. He and Cecile can converse in French. Then Ross Pollard is also planning to join us in February for 2 weeks that will make a full crew. Cecile says she will cook for that crowd. She is a trained foody person, and used to be the French Cheese Ambassador. Since Cecile has the Vee berth to herself, I will have to share the stern cabin with one of these gentlemen. I am still planning to go to Cuba from Key West if all the legalities can be overcome.