The final days - Welcome Home

We knew we needed a good weather window to get home from the  Chesapeake Bay - Down the Delaware, outside the Jersey shore, and up the Hudson River.  As luck would have it, we arrived in Chesapeake City on the Chesapeake and Delaware Canal on Wed, and the weather for Thurs and Fri was predicted to be reasonable - light wind coming from the SW,  then building winds on Sat with thunderstorms.  We decided to go.

Before we did, we had Wed afternoon to relax in the sunshine in Chesapeake City.  We got there early enough to get a spot on the free town dock ($15 for electric).  The town has many cute shops and old restored homes - some that are Bed and Breakfasts or restaurants.  It is small and charming.  The gardens were in full bloom.

Chesapeake City on the C&D Canal

Check out the guy escaping from the balcony!

Cute house

Somebody's garden display

We got up the next morning to take the ride down the Delaware Bay.  The water was calm, and we even had the current running with us most of the way.  Seeing the bridges along the canal and the nuclear power plant was dramatic.  The old bay lighthouses are interesting too. We did not see much commercial boat traffic, and almost no cruisers.  We were ahead of the spring migration north.

Chesapeake and Delaware Canal bridges:

Nuclear Power plant steam

Lighthouse on Delaware Bay

Fishing boat - Cape May

 We anchored in front of the Coast Guard Station in Cape May and went to bed early so we would be ready to head north Friday early...

We got up in the dark and headed out into the Atlantic.  As we turned northeast the sun came up over the horizon.  The seas were rolling 3 foot swells from the southeast, so we had to roll for several hours until we made the turn north off Atlantic City.  We were off shore about 1 NM most of the way, and were able to see some of the re-construction going on along the Jersey shore, especially in Seaside Heights where we could see (with the binoculars - too far for good pictures) the roller coaster in the water, and the boardwalk reconstruction project.  Finally, after 13 hours we dropped anchor inside the breakwater in Atlantic Highlands.  Here we could also see evidence of much construction in the marina and harbor area.  The wind was picking up, and it started to rain.  We were tired and all slept well.

Sunrise on the Atlantic... Too bad the fishing boat couldn't move over - just a little

Sunrise through the windshield

In the morning we got up for the final day going north up the Hudson.  The day was gray, and rain was forecast.  The weather smiled on us.  There was no fog on the water and we could see NY harbor which is always a thrill.  So many boats and of course the skyline.  The "Freedom Tower" had just gotten the antenna put on top.  The clouds created a great backdrop for the skyline emphasizing the height of the of the new tower.

North toward the Verrazano Bridge

The Battery - "Freedom Tower" in the clouds

 

World Trade Center with the new tower

The Shuttle at the Sea and Space Museum

Nyack one design boats racing with spinnakers

The best part of the day was arriving at MYC.  The rain and T storms held off until we were all in the clubhouse toasting the trip and our safe arrival home.  We were greeted by horns and whistles, balloons, my Mom and many friends who came to welcome us home.  Thanks Bob and Peg for the wine and cheese party.  Thanks everyone for coming.  We are glad to be home, but sad to say goodby to Robert, although I know my sister is happy to have him back home in California. The cats were glad to see us, and all is well in the house and garden, thanks to the care of Kellyanne, Brian and Rick.

 Thanks John O'Blenis for the welcome home pictures:

Check out the mustashe - not Jeff's ...

GoodTidings entering the slip

Thanks for the welcome home

Mom and Robert and Bob

Gary, Keira, Mom, Jeff and Robert

Some of the gang: Janice, Bob, Gary, Mom, Robert, Don, Jeff, Keira, Peg, Bert

More of the gang: Barbara, Frank, Janice and John

 

GoodTidings held up well after 470 hours, and approximately 3500 miles. She is the right boat for this kind of trip - strong, safe and comfortable underway, at anchor and at the dock.  Now - where to next?