Day 2. We were up (again) at 05:00. We made our coffee this morning using the camp stove. (This thoughtful gesture was to save the two neighboring sailboaters from the obnoxious noise of our generator.) Once out of the Chesapeake and Delaware (C&D) Canal, we were expecting a bit of rough travel in the Delaware Bay. Never happened. The bay was smooth as silk. In fact, we followed another trawler the entire way to Cape May. Pete chatted with the captain (a few times), a seasoned local, on m/v “My Time Too,” who offered great advice on managing the wakes of the huge cargo ships. (We followed the same channels.) As we approached the Cape May Canal we said thanks and farewell.
Mid-way through the canal was a bridge and decommissioned railroad trestle. The openings were narrow and the current seemed to push us starboard. I’m so glad Pete was at the helm! He maneuvered us through like a champ!
We arrived to the South Jersey Marina with an easterly wind pushing us into the dock. We were using our “marriage-saver” headsets, but I could have used more coaching. Thank goodness for the marina manager and dock hand, who saved us from a big bump, and never said a word about my lack of experience.
Soon after, we met up with family (Scott and JoAnn) for “docktails” before enjoying a nice walk to the beach and then to a local restaurant, “Fins,” for dinner. The next 24 hours presented a 15-knot wind and some thundershowers, so we decided to stay in the harbor an extra day. This gave us time to visit the Cape May Brewing Company before a late lunch. Afterwards, we said goodbye to family, knowing we have another chance to visit in New Jersey. While Pete took his afternoon siesta, I did some retail therapy.
I am still pinching myself, wondering how I ever got so lucky. Lucky to have chosen a rewarding and lucrative career, to have made good investment decisions, to have met my “second-time-around” love with an incredible adventurous spirit, lucky that Pete stumbled upon an article on The Great Loop and was bold enough to talk me into this, and to take action to make it happen!
THIS is “Living Large!”
Awesome travels. Party on Pete and Sue!
Sounds like a great time.
“Living large” – yes it is! So glad to read your blog!
This is very cool. We did this helping Neo’s a 42 ft. Catamaran up the Panama and through the canal, up the Baja coast from Cabo and up Costa Rica coastline. It was fun looking back, also remember times knuckles were white gripping rails. Great memories, wishing we could get out on the water again. Have fun you two.