The Reversal

It was a very difficult decision.

Trefoil is now on the hard in Kingston, NY, where she will spend the winter. We are at home.

When we arrived at Liberty Landing Marina in Jersey City, We started checking the weather for the next few days, which would be the trip out into the Atlantic Ocean, down the New Jersey coast. We needed 3 good days to do this trip, first into Manasquan, then Atlantic City and then Cape May. We have been up and down this coast 4 times on previous trips and we knew what the trip entailed. The weather showed one good day early in the week, then higher winds and seas (winds 20 -25 knots, some days gusting to 30 knots, seas 2 -4 feet, and 3-5 feet. Even one day with seas 7 - 10 feet!) The boat could handle it easily, but the people and the dog might not like these conditions too well! We know from past experience that these are 3 very long days in a 5 knot boat. The full week forecast wasn't looking good, and then we couldn't be certain it would improve at the end of the week. We had lost 6 good travel days early on due to the factors already described, and that was affecting us now.

We were at Liberty Landing Marina, a very nice but also very expensive marina. To stay there a week would have cost over $1000. Other options we considered were:

1. 79th Street Marina, 6 miles back up the river, where moorings are $30 a night. But the area is also exposed to passing water taxis and tugs, and can be very "rolly."
2. We considered moving over to Sandy Hook, in the Atlantic Highlands anchorage area. We haven't been there, but have heard stories of boats dragging anchor there. Even though we have a very adequate anchor, you don't always know what your neighbor might have down and how much scope he/she is using. In a blow this could be a problem.
3. Great Kills Harbor. We have been there before and found good holding but we also knew that this particular area (Staten Island) was especially hard hit during Hurricane Sandy, and we were unsure what we might find there.

The first year we headed south, we were in Jersey City on November 1. We continued on to the Chesapeake and then hauled the boat the week before Thanksgiving for the winter as it was getting very cold (it was snowing the day we drove home!). The second time we headed south, we were in Norfolk, Virginia by November 1. Big difference. That year we continued on the Florida. This time, we might have been in Cape May by November 1, if the weather improved. Sounding kind of like the first trip! Also, in other years, we have gotten part way down the coast and then been held up in Atlantic City for 5 days, waiting for weather to improve. We definitely did NOT want to do this again.

As we discussed our options, we also considered the fact that while we have taken some very nice extended trips on this boat, we have not actually sailed her a lot. When traveling, we often end up motoring or motor sailing, as we always want to get from point A to Point B, and the wind doesn't always cooperate. Trefoil is a beautiful boat and a great sailing boat. The thought of spending a whole summer just sailing on Lake Champlain (no list of spring projects!) has a lot of appeal.

Ultimately, the decision was to head back north. So after a mini-vacation at Liberty Landing (the 3 of us did make one trip into Manhattan by water taxi, so that we could go to Whole Foods for provisions!), it took us 2 days to get to Kingston. The tide was with us on the return trip. We had been to Roundout Yacht Basin several years ago, and knew that it is a very protected area for winter storage. We made a trip home to get a vehicle (thank you, Susan!), and began the process of unloading the boat. Lots of food, clothing, 60 pounds of dog food, 10 pounds of chews to take home! We also drove to Utsch's Marina in Cape May, to pick up some items we had arranged to have sent there, anticipating that we would be there for a short stay. We chatted with Wayne, who has worked there for years, and told him we hadn't seen 3 good days in the forecast for the trip from New York Harbor to Cape May. "Three good days, I'd like to see three good hours!" said Wayne. He told us that boats that did make the trip down the coast were coming in asking for the weekly rate and even the monthly rate, they were so "beat up" by the trip down the coast!

Trefoil was hauled on October 31. We look forward to the trip back to Lake Champlain in the spring and some great sailing next summer!

Oh, the (minor) troubles we've seen.......

We moved on from Kingston and all the beautiful boats there, and down the Hudson River, anticipating our next stop to be Haverstraw, where we have been before. However, we were in the wrong part of the tide cycle for moving south, and progress was slow. We realized we wouldn't be able to make it in daylight hours, so we looked for other options. Not wanting to spend the big bucks to go to a marina, it appeared that the best option was the Marlboro Yacht Club, which has moorings available. We arrived there late afternoon, and since we had been unable to reach anyone either by phone or VHF radio. we simply picked up a mooring (there were 7 open moorings). We took the dinghy in to shore (very happy Jonah!) and stuffed $15 in the door with our boat card, since our outdated Skipper Bob book said moorings were $10. Later on, toward dark, a couple of sailboats arrived at the dock and someone, apparently from the club, greeted them. And shortly after, a dinghy approached us and with a friendly greeting, we were asked to move, since the mooring we were on was reserved by one of the boats that had just arrived. (Never mind that there were still 6 open moorings.) And by the way, the fee for a mooring was $25. We had no problem with that, and gladly paid the extra $10. But being told we had to move because that specific mooring ball was reserved? Anyway, we did as we were asked, and the Club member helped us to tie up on a different mooring. It did have an extra line with a float attached to it, which seemed odd, and we had to use our own line to tie up to the mooring instead of a pick up stick, as there was on the first one we had gone to. Anyway, we noticed that the sailboats at the dock apparently changed their mind and stayed put, so we didn't really have to move after all! By then it was definitely dark so we stayed put. The next AM, we waited for the tide, and prepared to depart about 11:30 AM, on the high tide. We cast off from the mooring, and thought we were free, but as we moved away, that extra line wrapped around our prop! Arghhhhhh!!! Not going anywhere now. So Dick went ashore with the dingy and Karen and Jonah stayed on the boat. About an hour later, Dick returned with Art, a YC member, who cut the line, and then said that we needed to be towed to the gas dock, and then hauled out (the YC has a travel lift) to assess the situation. Another YC member showed up at that point with his dinghy and helped tow us ashore. Art strongly felt we had to be hauled out to see the line, so that was done. The line was cut off and we were lowered back into the water again. All for the reasonable rate of $100, cash please. Then began the difficult task of reattaching the backstay, which had to be taken off to get us into the travel lift. Our backstay is very difficult to attach; at Riverview, with no jib on the forestay, it took 3 people's strength to get the pin in place. Now everyone was gone and we were trying to do it ourselves, with the jib on the forestay. About ready to take the jib down in order to get everything in place, another YC member stopped by to offer assistance. Tony has a Morgan 38 sailboat, and was a big help. The pin was soon in place, but by the time we chatted with Tony, put away all the lines that had been used and were ready to move, it was 4:30. So back to a mooring ( the first one!) for the night. And a rocky night it was! Wind from the south and several tugs going by. Next day, off at noon (definitely in the wrong part of the tide cycle, but it doesn't make much sense to travel against an incoming tide.) The folks at Marlboro Yacht Club were all friendly, helpful and ready to assist. Once again, if we had to have a problem, it was a good place to be.

Down the river, past Newburgh, past West Point (impressive as always!) and we planned to anchor at Croton, across from Haverstraw. We have used this anchorage before, but the wind was blowing in from the north, the tide was low (Damn those tides!) and we were reading depths of 6.9 feet. So quick, out of there, and over to Haverstraw Marina, across the bay. It took over an hour to get there, with the wind and tide, and we got to the dock at 6:30, after sunset. We have been here several times before, so we knew how to get to the rest rooms and where to walk the dog! It is a very large marina.

We had been hearing some funny noises again, and we were concerned that we might have more mechanical problems to deal with. But Dick checked everything in the AM and other than needing to tighten the V belt, all seemed OK. The ladder was a bit off kilter and that was straightened out. So off at noon, expecting to make it to the NYC area by late afternoon.

The first part of the afternoon was fine, Karen made lunch, did dishes, and some other boat chores. But by the time we got to the Tappan Zee Bridge, where the river is a bit wide, the wind really picked up, from the south, so it was on the nose. We had planned to get to NYC, but it became apparent that wasn't gong to happen. So we found an alternative, the Alpine Marina in New Jersey. Not a good place to go in to, with only 2 inches if water at low tide! But we could anchor outside the bulkhead in good holding, we were told. We arrived there about 5:00 PM, got the hook down, and had a bit of protection from the wind. As we sat in the cockpit, watching to be sure we were not dragging, we realized we had become a target for some of the local men who we fishing off the bulkhead of the marina. "Who can snag the sailboat?" Someone did, got their line and hook entangled with our lifelines. Dick carefully got the line unattached and sent it back, with a "thank you!" and that seemed to be the end of the sport. Finally Jonah ashore for some exercise. Given the conditions and all the people around, we decided it would be prudent to sit watch, so we took turns sitting up for 2 1/2 hours each all night, to keep an eye on everything. Not a fun night. Toward morning as the sun started to come up, Dick lit the diesel stove and it quickly heated up the cabin. Very welcome!! A quick trip ashore with Jonah in the AM, and then underway soon after. Even though we were traveling against the tide, we still wanted to get away from that spot.

So on to the Liberty Landing Marina in Jersey City, just across from Manhattan. For a while we were only making 1.5 knots, but at least we were moving and it was a beautiful day. It took us 5 hours to travel 16 nautical miles! We were very happy to arrive at Liberty Landing Marina, an excellent facility.

Movin' on

Finally! The bolts are in place (actually only one new one, and two of the old ones went back in). To the fuel dock for some diesel and a pumpout, and finally underway again at 1:45 PM.. Riverview is a great place to be, but time to move on. We traveled 20 miles, to Kingston, where we got a spot at the City Marina. And the New York Yacht Club was already here! Wow! Talk about beautiful boats, mostly motor yachts, absolutely gorgeous! And to top it off, Bolero is also here, the classic S&S sailboat. We first saw it in Mystic in 2004. Impeccably maintained.

This morning Dick is off to get some more of the correct size bolts at the same Fastenal store we went to on Monday, and then we will be off down the Hudson River. We should be able to leave at high tide, which will give us a good boost going down the river.

Even sailboats can have engine woes.......

We left the town dock in Waterford on Thursday, October 10, and had a nice, but chilly, ride to Riverview Marine in Catskill Creek. Freshwater sailors that we are, we became re-acquainted with the power of the tide! Leaving just after high tide in Troy,, doing 6.1 knots, by the end of the day we were down to 3.7 knots, as the tide had turned against us. We arrived at Riverview Marine in Catskill Creek at 6:00 PM, and were greeted by Leonard and Lynnea Rosner on their Sabre 36, Antares. They are from Burlington, and we had met them in 2010 in Chrleston, S.C. We have seen each other on Lake Champlain since and have kept in touch. Heading south again this year also, they had arrived in Waterford while we were there, and had quickly moved on, so by the time we got here to Riverview, they already had their mast up and sails on. Mike, owner of Riverview Marine, was also there with a friendly greeting. This is our seventh visit to Riverview, for either mast up or mast down service! Mike is great and the crew very helpful and professional. We always enjoy our time here.

Just a while before we arrived, Dick had noticed that the engine was sounding different. Hmmmmm. But it was late, we were tired, and time for dinner and sleep. The crew was ready to put up our mast the next morning, so we were on the dock, ready to go at 8:00 AM. Mast up, forestay and aftstay attached, shrouds on and tensioned. Getting hot, so the bimini went on next for some shade, then finally the jib was hoisted and furled. (It is a lot of work to put a sailboat back together!) Saturday, mainsail on, reefing lines run, lazyjacks in place, sailcover on (did I mention how much work it is to put a sailboat back together?), laundry done, new registration numbers on the dinghy, and finally! putting the boat back to order below. The sails had been in the quarterberth, but now that they are where they are supposed to be, the quarterberth now becomes "the garage."

We thought we would be ready to leave Sunday morning, but Dick thought he needed to check out that engine noise. He found a broken bolt in the Vetus flexible shaft coupling. :( Mike didn't have the right size, and he tried to find one locally, but being Sunday and Columbus Day weekend, he didn't have any luck. Since we were still here, we had an opportunity to SKYPE with Jane, Pete and Benjy in London. That is always a high point! Great to see their smiling faces! Monday morning, Karen went online, got the number for Vetus U.S. and found out that they didn't have the bolts in stock, would have to have them air freighted from Holland!!! But Bob at Vetus in Maryland suggested Fastenal. So we rented a car and went off to Fastenal in Kingston. A lovely drive down Route 9W, got the bolts (a few extra, just to be sure), a quick lunch, and back again. Then Dick went to install the bolts and discovered that they were too long! Argh!!!!!!!!! It turned out that Mike had the correct length after all. Ouch. Anyway, today is Tuesday, and Dick is struggling (and occasionally cursing) to get this put back together correctly. He is replacing all of the bolts in the flexible coupling while he is in there. Mike is lending him any tool he might need.

Meanwhile, Karen has been busy cleaning...the decks and hull have been washed, the waterline scrubbed (we grew lots of scum while the boat sat on a mooring for 6 weeks this summer while we were away), the dingy has been washed, inside and out (the remainder of the Whitehall mud excursion has been cleaned up!). Now on to doing some charting for our southerly route, since I inadvertently wiped out all our tracks on the chartplotter from our last trip south. Grrrr!

The downside is that we are stuck here and this would be beautiful traveling weather...warm, sunny, mild breeze. But the upside is that we are in a good place to have a problem. People at the marina are friendly and helpful, and Jonah is getting lots of walks and playtime! If this bolt was going to break, it could have happened in a much worse time and place. Hopefully this will be resolved soon and we will be on our way south!

A dog's tale

Hi folks! Mom and Dad said I should do the first blog entry. I don't quite understand what a blog is, since I can't eat it, roll in it or pee on it, but anyway, I can tell you about what we are doing. One day last week (October 1), we drove to Port Henry, where our sailboat usually is. We've done this lots of times before, but this time, my friend Toby (Apollo's Dad) came with us, we unloaded a whole lot of stuff, and before I knew what was happening, he drove away with our car! So we slept on the boat that night, that's OK, we've done that before. Then the next day, a big machine run by Ron (Jake's Dad) lifted up our mast and laid it down on the boat! Hmmmm...Then the next morning, we went for a long ride on the boat. It was a nice day and I rode on top of the coach house, where I had a really good view and soaked up some sunshine. OK, this isn't bad. But it was getting late, almost dark and I was getting hungry and really needed a "shore call." Finally, Dad put the anchor down, pulled the dinghy along side ( I LOVE the dinghy!) and we rowed ashore! Yay!!!! I jumped out and had a great time jumping around in the MUD!!!! Dad was yelling at me, and I couldn't figure out why! I had been on the boat for a long time and this was so much FUN! After a couple of minutes, he made me get back in the boat and we rowed to the other side of the channel. I guess he thought this side would be better. Well, there was lots of mud here too! It was great!! I was having so much fun that I forgot to do my "business." Dad made me get back in the dinghy and we went back to the boat, He didn't seem very happy. I don't know why, a little mud never hurt a dog. Anyway, he stayed in the dinghy for a while cleaning it up and Mom gave me a bath in the cockpit of the big boat. Well, the next morning, I didn't get to go ashore again for another pay time in the mud, instead we went into a big cave that Dad said was a Lock. We were in there a while, and the water got higher, then we went out the other side. We went to the first dock and tied up the boat, then I got to go for a walk on the grass, and take care of all my business. Wow, did I feel better!

We had another long ride the second day, and went through some more locks. I sat in the cockpit and watched, wishing I could get out and run around. Finally, we got to a place called Fort Edward, where we tied up the boat for the night. Great! But the wall was very high and I couldn't jump off the boat. Mom and Dad had to go up a ladder on the wall to get off the boat. I don't climb ladders. But I'm glad Mom and Dad were prepared for this; they pulled out something called a doggie ramp and put it between the boat and the top of the wall. At first I didn't like the idea and didn't want to go up the ramp, but Mom was at the other end with a biscuit (I do like to eat) and finally I dashed up the ramp! Well, that wasn't so bad! Then I could run an jump and play ball and well, do all my "business." After that, I went up and down the ramp like a pro. Maybe I should try out for the circus! Later that evening , while we were having dinner, we heard a familiar voice. We all went outside, and it was Lee and Joanne Mull (Duncan's parents), our boat neighbors from the marina. They work as much on their boat in the spring as Mom and Dad do on ours. We all talked for a while; it was nice to see friends.

Then the next day, not long after we left, we saw a boat sitting in the middle of the canal. It was a sailboat that we had seen last night at Fort Edward, and Mom and Dad had talked a little with the people. Well they were stuck! So we pulled them off! Dad said the other boat was a 44 Jeanneau, not bad that our Tartan 34 could pull them free! Then more locks, with the Jeanneau right behind us all the way. Finally, we got to a place called Lock One Marina, and who was there on the dock but Uncle Larry!! He is a friend of ours, and we went to his house for dinner last year. Well, it seems that Uncle Larry and his brother now own Lock One Marina and we were here to stay for a couple of days so that Uncle Larry could do some work for us. It is a nice place and I could go swimming!! Yay!! We got to use Uncle Larry's truck to do some errands...it was very nice of him, but boy, is his truck noisy!! One night we went to Uncle Larry's house for dinner. That was nice, I got to lie on the living room carpet and take a nap! We were at the marina 3 nights and 2 days, and then it was time to leave. I really didn't want to go, it is a great place for a dog!

We went through one more lock and came to the town dock in Waterford. This is the town where Dad grew up! I remember coming here last summer when we took our trip on the boat. This is a nice place, too! Mom and I took a long walk along the canal, and there are lots of other people here on boats. Some of them have dogs, and I even smelled a cat on one boat! Mom and Dad are getting some "odd jobs" done, whatever that means. They say we are laving tomorrow, that's too bad, I like it here, too. But actually, I have liked it every where we have been so far, so I guess the next place will probably be good, too. I don't know how far we are going or how long we will be living on the boat. When people ask where we are going, Mom and Dad say "south." I don't know where that is. But we have lots of dog food, biscuits, chews and peanut butter, so life is good for this dog!

More adventures as Trefoil heads home!

Trefoil is now at the town dock in Waterford, always a nice spot to be, whether headed north or south. We have provisioned, done laundry, cleaned the decks, had dinner with our friend Larry, and chatted with lots of nice boat people, most of whom are headed south. This is our third day here, and we will head out in the morning to travel through the Champlain Canal back to Port Henry, where Trefoil will be stored for the winter.

Some highlights since the last post: from Mystic we returned to the Old Lyme Dock Co in the Connecticut River, then on to Milford, CT. Milford is a very pretty harbor, and we had spent time here at the beginning of our cruise. This time we arrived on Sunday night of Labor Day weekend, and finally found dock space at the Milford Yacht Club. It was a party weekend, a band was playing, and we were invited to a wine tasting party on the 52' motor yacht "Enuff." All was good until we departed in the morning. We waited just a bit too long after slack tide, and as we backed out of our slip, the tide pushed us against the boat next to us and our dinghy davits became entangled with the bow, breaking their bow light! Ouch! We finally got off without further damage, but not a great start to the day. We have contacted the owner and will pay for the damage. Milford is probably not a spot we would return to, as we also had difficulty here the first time we visited. No major damage, however. Especially in tight quarters, as at this location, is is very important to pay close attention to tidal flow. Also, we had not paid careful enough attention to the the sun and moon; in addition to a full moon, the sun and moon were within 45 degrees of each other, creating an extra strong tide, both low and high.

On to Oyster Bay, where we picked up a mooring, and then Manhassett Bay, where we also were on a mooring for two nights, due to weather. While there we did careful calculations so that we could arrive at Hell Gate at slack tide. Actually, we were a bit early, so we motored along at 1.5 knots for a while! Then into Liberty Landing Marina for an overnight before starting up the Hudson River. Nice to be back on the Hudson again! The first night on the Hudson we anchored at Croton on Hudson, a great anchorage. Jonah played for over an hour with Major, a Czech shephard..the most fun he had had in a long time!

The next morning, we knew a storm was coming, but NOAA said it would arrive late afternoon or early evening. We went across the bay to Haverstraw Marina for fuel and ice, planning to travel up the river a ways. But by the time we were finished with our purchases (the dock hand put gasoline in one of our diesel jerry jugs, so it took a bit longer to get that taken care of), the sky was already getting very dark, the wind speed was increasing, and now we were hearing the storm was going to arrive much sooner than expected. So we decided to take a slip at the marina to ride out the upcoming storm, and we are glad we did. Within an hour, there were severe thunderstorm warnings and a tornado watch. It rained on and off all day, gusty winds from the south and then suddenly, a big blow from the west with heavy rain. Then all was quiet. Apparently, two fronts collided. Later we learned that a tornado had actually touched down in Queens.

Off again the next morning with blue skies and a light breeze, we motored to Hyde Park, where we picked up a mooring. We had stopped here two years ago, and Pete, the owner, remembered us. As we chatted, it turned out that he had gone to Clarkson and was a classmate of Dick's best friend from high school! Another front passed through that evening, but it quieted down at dark, just in time for Jonah's last "shore call" of the day. We were underway by 7:45 the next morning, headed for Riverview Marina in Catskill. Winds were forecast to increase throughout the day...the first 3 hours were very calm, and then suddenly the wind came up and for 2 1/2 hours we motored through 30 knots gusts from the north. We were very glad to arrive in Catskill Creek and to have assistance getting into our dock space! Here we met Matt and Jessica, from Michigan, on their Sabre 34, a young couple who are starting out on an extended cruise, no schedule, destination Venezuela or places beyond! Sails off, bimini down, and once Matt and Jessica's mast was up, we moved into the crane bay, and our mast came down. We decided to stay another night so that we could travel with the tide instead of against it for our trip to Waterford. In tidal waters, with a 5 knot boat, we have learned to pay careful attention to the tide tables. So tomorrow morning, we will take on crew for a day, our friend Noah, as we begin the trip back to Lake Champlain.

Cuttyhunk to Mystic and spots in between

Underway from Cuttyhunk under power, at the mouth of the Sakonnet River, we suddenly noticed a decrease in speed and a drop in RPMs. We immediately wondered if we had wrapped a line from a fishing float around our prop. There are plenty of these to dodge in these waters (not quite as many as in the Chesapeake, but still numerous), and we generally keep a sharp lookout, but Lee Andrews on his Tartan 3800 had hailed us on his way into Jamestown, and during our conversation with him, we temporarily lost focus. We continued on for a bit, and the situation remained the same. We made the decision to take a detour into Jamestown, to the marina Lee had mentioned. This would give us the opportunity to check out the situation. So we called Conanicut Marine Services and reserved a mooring. Dick wanted to dive under the boat to see if there was anything wrapped around the prop. We also knew that if we needed services, such as a diver, we would be able to get assistance here. It was fairly bouncy when we arrived, so we took the launch ashore for a walk with Jonah. While there, a couple approached us and asked, "Weren't you just on Cuttyhunk? We recognize your dog!" We had a nice chat with Wendy and Gene, who have a Freedom 30. They were now on a mooring at Dutch Harbor Marina on the other side of the island from Jamestown. Then back to the boat, and Dick dove underneath, but the water was dark and there was still a fair chop, so he was unable to see anything. We decided to try putting the engine in reverse for a few minutes in the morning, hoping that if something was wrapped, it would un-wrap. We would motor out, and if all was well we would contine, and if speed and RPMs were still not right, we would go around into Dutch Harbor, which Wendy and Gene said was very protected and quiet. After running the engine in reverse the next morning, all seemed fine, so we continued on.
If we were to return here another time, we would go into Dutch Harbor Marina. Conanicut Marina is very nice, but is quite exposed, and the anchorage was rolly. Also, Newport is right across the harbor, and while it was fun to watch the boats coming and going, this also added to the chop. There is a ferry that runs from Jamestown to Newport, so this would be an easy way to get into Newport, without actually being moored or spending the big bucks to stay at a marina there. We did see some vey impressive boats headed into and out of the harbor!
So we were now underway to Block Island! We had been warned not to go there on a weekend, but it was Friday and that is where we were headed! We arrived about 4:00 in the afternoon, and called the harbormaster to inquire if there were any available moorings. We were put in a private mooring for Friday night, for one night only, and were told that we would probably be able to pick up a town mooring Saturday morning, between 7:00 and 9:00. So up early Saturday AM, Jonah and Dick ashore and back by 7:00. Then we cruised through the mooring field, and by 7:30 we were on a mooring! On a town mooring, we could stay as long as we wanted. We watched other people looking for moorings as well. It is possible to anchor at Block Island, and many do, but the anchorage is deep, and we have heard many stories of people dragging anchor there. We wanted to be able to sleep at night. $40 per night seemed a fair price for a good night's sleep! Being at Block Island was like being at a carnival! Dinghies, sailboats, powerboats, silicone, the launch, kayaks, paddleboards all coming and going all the time. This was very different from Marthas Vineyard and Cuttyhunk. Lots of dogs, Jonah had a great time swimming! Karen rented a kayak and did some exploring. We stayed here 3 nights total, had dinner out one night at Dead Eye Dick's...very good!
The weather is starting to change...we were actually chilly our last night here when returning to the boat in the dinghy! After such a hot summer, the cool air felt good.
Monday morning, it was on to Stonington, to a mooring at Dodson's Boatyard. We had been here several weeks ago. After our time in the islands, we needed to do laundry (not Jonah's fault this time!), get ice, take showers and do some major provisioning for our trip home. On Tuesday, our friends Linda and Ed drove over from their boat in Westerly, RI, just around the corner from Stonington. Ed and Dick visited (and ate ice cream) while Linda and Karen did some provisioning at the the Big Y supermarket in Mystic. What a nice store! It was so helpful to be able to do this: thank you Linda and Ed! It was nice to be back at Dodson's again; this is a very well run marina, with complete services available and very friendly, helpful staff. We were very pleased to be on a mooring close to the dinghy dock, and surrounded by Hinckley and Morris sailboats! Our last night there, we had dinner at the "Dog Watch Cafe," a very popular spot. Jonah was on the patio area just off the deck, and received lots of compliments!
On to Mystic the next day, only 8 miles (4 miles by land!). In 2004, we attended the Sparkman and Stephens 75th anniversary celebration at Mystic Seaport (we drove there by car). It was here that we met Rick and Carol Clark, who sail their Tartan 34C on the Chesapeake. Rick and Carol have become good friends, and we have visited them several times at their home on the Chesapeake.
We decided that we wanted to see Mystic from the water, so we opted for a stop here. We sailed part way, which was lovely. Then up the winding Mystic River to Brewer's Yacht Yard. Except for the one night at Cuttyhunk, this was our first night at a dock in 17 days! Moorings and anchoring are great and have their advantages, but being at a dock is a real treat! This is a very nice marina, and we wouldn't hesitate to return here another time. The location is great, and we can walk or take the dinghy to downtown Mystic. Mystic is a busy spot, but it was nice to be able to walk around a bit and do some Christmas shopping! While Dick and Jonah were waiting outside a store for Karen, a man approached and said "I know that dog! He barked a me, but I didn't take it personally!" This was an emplyee of Dodson's Boatyard!
We had planned to leave this morning, but the forecast was for 20 knot winds from the SW, which would be right "on the nose" for us. No sailing, powering all the way. We have been there, done that, and it isn't enjoyable, so we opted for one more day here. We are glad we did! This afternoon we took the dinghy for a long ride, up the Mystic River, past Mystic Seaport, and took Jonah for a swim. Actually, he jumped around in a lot of muck, but he had a great time!
We are now headed west back through Long Island Sound enroute to NYC and the Hudson River. We are planning for another slack tide at Hell Gate!

A Yellow Dog fares well in Black Dog territory!

As we were leaving the village of Mettapoisett, headed for Martha's Vineyard, we were advised to go to Lake Tashmoo, an anchorage on the north side of the Vineyard. This was advice we are most happy we followed, as Lake Tashmoo was a lovely spot. We enjoyed it so much we stayed 6 days! Well protected, good holding, quiet and peaceful, a dinghy dock close by, with a water supply and garbage disposal, an easy 20 minute walk into Vineyard Haven, where we could take showers at the Harbormaster's building. Vineyard Haven has a good grocery store, lots of shops and several good restaurants with excellent takeout (we travel with Jonah, remember, and he isn't allowed in restaurants!). Lobster dinners, lobster salad, steamed clams and mussels....delicious! Martha's Vineyard is a very dog friendly place, and although the "Black Dog" trademark is everywhere, and every other person walking down the street is wearing a "black dog" shirt, Jonah got lots of compliments! He met many friendly people and lots of other dogs. The last night we were there, as we were walking back to the anchorage, a car drove by and someone called out the window, "Hi Jonah!" While on Martha's Vineyard, we traveled by bus to Oak Bluffs and the Edgartown, as well as all the way out to Aquinnah and Gay Head Lighthouse. Jonah didn't like the bus at all at first, and wanted to get off every time the door opened, but gradually he got used to it, and by the time we took the bus back to Vineyard Haven, he slept all the way!

One evening as we were taking Jonah for the last "shore call" of the day, we saw a dinghy, holding 6 people, bobbing around. Their 9.9 HP motor wouldn't start, and they were a long ways from their boat. So we gave them a tow...our 2.5 Suzuki powered 8 people, one dog, 2 dinghies and the 9.9 outboard! We are very pleased with our new dinghy, the Walker Bay with the inflatable tubes. It is stable, has plenty of room for the three of us and groceries, ice or whatever we are carrying at the time, and is easily pushed through the water by our 2.5 HP motor.

We finally decided it was time to leave lovely Lake Tashmoo, and we headed for Cuttyhunk, a small island at the opposite end of the chain of the Elizabeth Islands from Woods Hole. The tide was against us, and it took us 6 hours to motor (no wind) 18 miles! In Cuttyhunk Harbor, we picked up a mooring. What a difference from Lake Tashmoo! Boats coming and going all the time, mostly sailboats, a very festive atmosphere! We soon took the dinghy ashore, and explored the island a bit. There are about 30 permanent residents, and many more in the summer. Cuttyhunk is very relaxed, very pretty, does not have a lot in terms of services, but is still a very popular place to be. A fun part if being here is the floating "raw bar" which makes its way around the mooring field each evening. Oysters and clams on the halfshell, shrimp cocktail, clam chowder (delicious), seafood dip, all delivered to your boat! And gorgeous sunsets as well! We have had some nice walks to the lookout at the highest point of the island, and Jonah has loved his romps in the ocean! We planned to stay 2 days, and opted for a third! Tomorrow we head out for Block Island!

Dealing with the unexpected (aka: Are we having fun yet?)

The past week has certainly been eventful! Once we got back into Long Island Sound after leaving Old Lyme (in the Connecticut River) we were in dense fog! It was very eerie, being in such a small circle of visibility. We kept moving under power, using the horn whenever we heard another vessel approaching. Eventually the circle of visibility widened and by late morning the fog had dissipated. We arrived in Stonington, the official" beginning point of the TONE cruise, early afternoon and picked up a mooring at Dodson's Boatyard. We called our friends Linda and Ed Thorne, who live on their lobster boat at a marina in Westerly, RI, just a few minutes away. They came and took us to Watch Hill lighthouse, back to their boat for pizza and salad, and then to a grocery store for a much needed provisioning stop! We used the launch service provided by the boatyard for the trip to and from shore. Those guys really know how to drive a boat! Lee Andrews, from TONE, arrived on his Tartan 3700 that afternoon, and were on the mooring right next to us. We didn't actually meet him, as we were gone until evening. The next morning, Dick took Jonah ashore in our dingy, and during this expedition, the airfloor of the dingy failed. Not a good situation. We reviewed our options, and decided that we really needed to replace the dingy. So off to West Marine in Mystic, just a few miles away, in the courtesy car provided by the boatyard. We decided on a Walker Bay 8, a plastic hull, so no airfloor to give out. We knew that this boat can be a bit tippy, and we wanted to also buy the inflatable tubes that Walker Bay sells for this dinghy, to provide some added stability, especially with 2 adults and a dog! However, the tubes were not in stock, so we bought just the dinghy. Back to Dodson's, the rest of the day was spent installing the seats and hardware. Much of this was done with the boat in the water, as our tools were on Trefoil. Dick bounced around quite a bit that afternoon! As expected, the Walker Bay is tippy, so we decided that as soon as possible we would get the inflatable tubes. Meanwhile, Lee Andrews left around noon that day to move to the next anchorage, so we didn't actually get to meet him. Ron Curtis, on his Tartan 34, also left. The next morning we were ready to go, the Walker Bay in the dinghy davits, but there was a lot of fog. So we walked into town for breakfast (used the launch service again, certainly easy!). We started out the channel at about 11:00, but the fog was so thick we could barely see other boats in the channel, so back we went to the mooring. An hour later, fog was starting to lift, so we finally departed Stonington. Dodson's is an excellent marina, and the folks here very friendly and helpful. We were in and out of fog all afternoon, so we decided to go into the anchorage at Point Judith Pond that Lee had told us about. A nice anchorage, lots of boats there already, so we anchored near the back of the pack. Chatting with the folks on the boat next to us, we learned that the Cruising Club of New England was out for its annual cruise, and this was the first gathering spot! There were a couple of small islands close by, but we decided the "tough it out" with Jonah, not take him ashore, and encourage him to "go" on the foredeck. He had done that at the Pollopel Island anchorage, but we have been on a dock or at a mooring every night since. Well, the plan backfired, and he peed on the port cushion (inside the boat) that night while we were sleeping! Still wouldn't go the next morning, so Dick took him ashore. Jonah 1, parents 0. We decided to stay in this anchorage for the day, as it was foggy out on the bay, and winds were expected to increase to 25 knots in the afternoon. As we were sitting in the cockpit midafternoon chatting, remarking on the increased wind velocity, we suddenly noticed a sailboat dragging its anchor, bearing down quickly on us! A couple of men were aboard (not the owner), trying to get the engine started, but not able to. The boat reached us and was T-boned against our bow!! We fended off, the other guys finally got the engine started (it was a Beneteau 47). It appeared to be hung up on our anchor rode, so Dick released some more rode, and the Beneteau was free. Our anchor (a 20 kilogram claw) held both boats, in a 20 knot breeze, with higher gusts! A rather exciting adventure! The owner came by later, apologized for he problem, and inquired if there was any damage to our boat. None that is apparent at this time. We were invited to join the Cruising Club, and were told we had already passed the initiation! A couple of more times ashore with Jonah on the island, happy dog! The Walker Bay is great, but the inflatable tubes will make it more stable. We called West Marine in Fairhaven (New Bedford), ordered the tubes, and were told they would be in Wednesday. By now we have realized that we will not be able to participate in the TONE Cruise. We cannot catch up to the group, as we are already behind schedule. We notified the organizers....On one hand, it is a disappointment that we will not meet all the other TONE folks,and do the cruise as planned. But it is also somewhat of a relief to be free of the schedule. We pushed hard to get here from Port Henry at the appointed time, and we are tired. Now we can relax a bit, and make our own plans. One of the cardinal rules of cruising is not to be on a schedule and we were trying to do it anyway. Best laid plans.... Monday we left the anchorage, and out into Block Island Sound. We should have realized that after yesterday's blow, the seas would be unsettled today! We experienced 6 foot swells for a long time, but little wind today. We power sailed, as having the sails up gave us more stability in the waves. Finally, toward late afternoon, the wind picked up and we had some beautiful sailing into Buzzard's Bay. We had made a reservation at Pope's Island Marina, and had an easy entrance into the marina about 7:30 PM. A long day, but we were glad to be at the dock and to take showers! Tuesday was laundry day (thanks, Jonah) and a bit of rest. It was also our 30th anniversary, and we had an excellent dinner at Fathoms, a seafood restaurant just across the street from the marina. (Thanks to the Cruising Club for the recommendations for the marina and the restaurant!) Wednesday we walked to West Marine, about a mile away, and picked up the inflatable tube kit for our Walker Bay! The rest of the afternoon was spent installing the hardware, as well as some non-skid for the plastic seats, and some hooks to lift the dinghy in the davits. Back to Fathoms for dinner! This morning, we attached the inflatable tubes, and within an hour or so, we discovered that one of the tubes was leaking!!!! Arghhhhhhh!!! Dick called the West Marine store, explained the situation and that we are 400 miles from home and that we are paying to stay in a marina to get this done.....Long story short, the manager said he would have new tubes here tomorrow, and that he would discount them to make up for the cost of staying the extra time at the marina. Thank you West Marine! Weather has been mostly hot and humid, a bit cooler would be a relief! Before leaving home, we had purchased a wind scoop for the forward hatch...so glad to have it! It treally helps draw the breeze down below when at a dock or anchored.

Moving on through Long Island Sound

New York Harbor is certainly busy! We departed Liberty Landing Sunday morning, and so much noise! Helicopters, ferries, powerboats, sailboats, jetskis, tugs with tows, lots of boat waves...and car traffic, train traffic, very hectic all the way up the East River! We had been a bit worried about transiting Hell Gate, but we timed it perfectly and went through at slack tide. No worries, mate! On to Greenwich, CT, where we had to call for a bridge opening. The man on the phone said, "You mean now?" We are accustomed to calling for an opening when we approach a bridge, from our travels in the south. Apparently for this bridge, a union electrician, a union carpenter, and who know how many others, have to be present. It took an hour and a half to get an opening! It was a noisy spot, betweeen the rr bridge and I-95. Probably not a spot to return to! Monday was the nicest day we have had since this trip begain. Cooler temperatures, clear sky and moderate winds! We sailed for a couple of hours, enjoying the quiet! Then we fired up the "iron genny" as we needed to make some miles. On to Milford, CT, where we stayed at the Milford Landing Marina. A lovely spot, but unfortunately we got a deep scratch on our newly painted hull here. A combination of factors...tides coming in fast, needing to navigate around a rather large trawler to get to our slip, and inexperienced deck hands. We'll fix it when we get home...! The next morning we started out, but conditions were not good. Waves about 3 feet, a close together, and wind directly on the nose. After an hour and a half, we turned around and went back to Milford. This time we had a great landing at our slip! We spent the day doing boat jobs, Dick re-regged the first reef, we took naps, also out to dinner for the first time since leaving Lake Champlain. This morning, what difference! We put up sail a couple of times, but not enough wind. And we needed to make distance. So it was another tillerpilot day. What a useful tool it is! It takes a lot of the fatigue away from a long day of powering. Tonight we are 3 miles up the Connecticut RIver, at Old Lyme Dock Co. What a peaceful spot! Jonah got to go swimming for the first time since Haverstraw...happy dog! He has adapted very well to this life..he sleeps all day, and then springs to life when we reach our destination for the day! Tomorrow it is on to Stonington, CT where we will meet the first boat of the TONE group. We hope to also see Ed and Linda Thorne on Seasmoke. They are friends we met for thefors time a couple of years ago when we were cruising.

Fogged in at NYC!

Jersey City, actually, just across the river from Manhattan. We arrived here yesterday, fully expecting to leave this morning, to catch the slack tide to pass through Hell Gate and into Long Island Sound. But we awoke this morning to heavy, dense fog (you could hardly see any buildings across the river) and a forecast for severe thunderstorms in Long Island Sound. So we opted for an extra day here, at Liberty Landing Marina, which has state of the art facilities. The air conditioned showers and transient lounge are most appreciated! The extra day gave us time to clean the boat and work on charting our route into Long Island Sound. It has been a busy week. We left Waterford Sunday AM, after a nice visit with Larry on Saturday evening. On to Catskill, where we once again had our mast stepped at Riverview Marine Services. The marina sustained heavy damage after Hurricane Irene hit last fall, but all has been repaired, with some nice improvements. The staff here is excellent, friendly and skilled. Two days here to rig, put on sails, and get the boat ready for the trip down the Hudson. It was difficult to keep working in the heat (low 90's) and humidity. We enjoyed the company here of Alex and Charlotte, a young couple from France, who traveled down the west coast of France, to the Canary Islands, crossed the Atlantic, traveled through the Caribbean, up the East Coast of the US, and are now on their way to Montreal. Wednesday AM, we started south, and decided to anchor by Bannerman's Castle, by Pollopel Island, just south of Newburgh. This was our first time in this anchorage, and aside from the frequent and loud train traffic, it was a good anchorage. A bit diffficult to get the dog ashore, however, and he only got one trip. About 4:00 AM, Jonah decided he really had to "go," and finally became a real "boat dog." Breezy and showers the next AM, with forecast for severe thunderstorms, so on to Haverstraw, only a 3 houur trip, where we would have good protection from the storm. As it turned out, the storm didn't happen until about 7:00 PM, but when it came, it was amazing! Winds in excess of 60 mph, heavy rain, black, black sky, and then several more hours of rain. On down the Hudson to the NYC area the next day. We wanted to get some good local knowledge about the infamous Hell Gate, so we opted for Liberty Landing Marina instead of anchoring behind the Statue of Liberty. It has been 4 years since we were here, and the improvements are exceptional! Tomorrow, on to Long Island Sound!

Trefoil travels again!

After two years at home, We are underway again! This time we are headed to Maine! We plan to join a group of 18 other boats, all Tartans of verying lengths, for the New England cruise. Our goal is to meet the first boat in Stonington, Connecticut on August 2. From there we will follow an itinerary set up by the TONE (Tartan Owners of the Northeast)board, with stops in Rhode Island, Massachusetts, and Maine. Other boats will join the group at varying points. It is good to be on the water again, although it has been a very hectic spring. This year we decided to paint Trefoil's topsides. Wow, what a job! We are pleased with the final result, but it was an enormous undertaking. After launching on June 21, we took our pastor, Kirianne and her husband Marcus out for a two day trip, and then friends Carolyn and Charlie Unger for a day of great sailing. Then Karen flew to London to meet our brandnew grandson, Benjy, who was born June 25! It was wonderful to spend 10 days with Jane, Pete and Benjy. Mom, Dad and baby are all doing great! It was very cool and rainy in London, in sharp contrast to the weather we are having in the Northeast this summer. Karen returned on July 11, and one week later, July 18, we were underway from Van Slooten Harbor Marina in Port Henry down the Champlain Canal. We had taken the mast down 2 days before, and had gone home to pick up another load of gear. A storm with strong wind gusts hit just before we returned to the boat, knocking the front of the mast off its suport. Fortunately it didn't go in the water, and Harbormaster Dave had it back in place just as we arrived back at the marina! Three days from Port Henry to Waterford, at the end of the Champlain Canal. It is always nice to spend time here, the people are friendly, there are great docks to tie up to, with water and electricity, wifi, and a supermarket is nearby! A great place to catch up on a few boat jobs, get a little rest, and do a major provisioning. Also, our friend Larry lives about 3 blocks from the waterfront. Larry has been extremely helpful, in the past and again this year. We had ordered some last minute equipment, including a whisker pole, through West Marine. Larry picked those items up for us, and we walked to his house to pick them up! Thank you once again, Larry! Tomorrow we will move on to Catskill, where we will have our mast stepped and make the conversion from a powerboat to a sailboat! Last August we lost our beloved Colby. He had traveled with us from Lake Champlain to the Chesapeake, and then from Lake Champlain to Florida and back. We made friends all along the way because of his wonderful, gentle demeanor. Our new second mate is Jonah, a yellow lab puppy. He is 14 months old, and still has a lot to learn! He is doing very well so far, except that he barks at the aids to navigation and sometimes at people who walk down the dock!

Winter in the North Country

It has been a very busy summer for Trefoil's crew. After 3 weeks at home in July, working on the yard and flower garden, we returned to Trefoil on her cradle at Van Slooten Harbour Marina in Port Henry, on Lake Champlain. We had decided to proceed with the bottom job, and we were prepared with the necessary materials: Soy Strip to remove the old bottom paint, a Festool sander/vacuum borrowed from our friend and fellow sailor Jim Morris, 5 gallons of epoxy barrier coat, and 2 gallons of bottom paint, along with brushes, rollers, Tyvek suits, etc. This was a major undertaking: the Soy Strip worked well to remove the majority of the old bottom paint, the sander was a fantastic tool to use, and then we faired, sanded, faired and sanded again a number of spots on the bottom (not one blister, however!). Finally, we applied 6 coats of Interprotect 2000, and 2 coats of bottom paint. Also during this time, we had a new arm made for the centerboard; Dick installed this and made sure this time that he wedged it in with some King Starboard, to prevent it from ever backing out again!

Trefoil was re-launched on Friday, September 3, and after 2 days of rigging, we set off for a week's vacation on the lake. We had a wonderful time, visiting some of our favorite anchorages: Kingsland Bay, Valcour Island (Spoon Bay), Shelburne Bay, Burlington Harbour, and Westport. Several of those days we were in the company of our friend Larry, who was also on vacation that week aboard his O'Day 30. Kim and Pete on their O'Day joined us on Valcour as well. While in Kingsland Bay, we spotted a familiar looking boat: it was Leonard and Lynnea Rosner, whom we had met in Charleston this spring! We enjoyed chatting with them and hearing about their trip north from Charlston.

On September 19, son Emil and Michelle, Ceiarah, and Noah joined us for a day on the water. The weather was perfect as we sailed to Cole Bay, had lunch, and then powered back to the marina. This past weekend we had a great 2 day trip with good sailing again. On September 24, we saw some more friends from the winter: Peter and Claudia Hornby, whom we had met in Florida, live in Plattsburgh. They drove to Port Henry and we enjoyed lunch together and a visit to the nearby Iron center Museum.

Now it is time to store Trefoil on her cradle for the winter. We have decided to stay home this winter, do some winter hiking and cross-country skiing, as well as some projects at home. Trefoil will travel again to other destinations, but the crew is ready for a landlubbers' winter!

Travels aboard Trefoil to be continued.....

It's nice to be home!

We arrived back on Lake Champlain on June 29, after two days in the Champlain Canal. Our trip has lasted nine months; we departed on September 26, 2009. Although we have seen many beautiful spots on our trip south, none of them is more beautiful than our home waters! And after much hot, humid weather during our trip north, including the two days in the Champlain Canal, we were treated to some wonderful "Adirondack weather" for our first couple of days back!! Nights in the 40's, daytime highs in the low 70's and blue skies and sunshine!! What a treat! Two fleece blankets and wool socks at night!

Trefoil came out of the water the next day, and we pressure washed the bottom. We had had the bottom cleaned by a diver in Florida just after we headed north, and there was surprisingly little growth in the past two months. Then Ron moved the boat over to the area where we will work on her until she is ready to go back in the lake. Dick opened up the access to the centerboard, and was unable to dislodge the arm that holds the pin in place. So the centerboard will not be an easy fix, that much we know.

July 1 and it was time to go home. Our friend Mark had given Dick a ride to pick up our car, so we packed up the dirty laundry, and headed home! We are now busy catching up on "home jobs," and will be back at the marina soon, preparing Trefoil for some time on the lake this summer. We are strongly considering the idea of stripping the bottom, doing an epoxy barrier coat, and then new bottom paint. It is a job that needs to be done, and since we are on the hard at the moment, it seems to be a good time to do this job. However, we are also looking forward to enjoying the lake and doing some sailing!

Sleepless in Manasquan and other highlights

With a good weather forecast, we departed Cape May early on June 18, a beautifully cool day with light north winds. We rolled out some jib and had a great ride up to Atlantic City. "Sammy" the tillerpilot really did his share that day. We opted for Gardiners Historic Basin, so that we could easily get our friend Colby ashore and go for a walk. Up and away early the next morning, headed for Manasquan. This is a very busy inlet, lots of fishing boats, and recreational boats, especially on a weekend. We arrived at 3:00 on Saturday afternoon: not a good plan. Our plan was to anchor at "dog beach" as we have done before. On this beautiful, hot, sunny Saturday afternoon, the boats were like ants moving all around the inlet. In the past, we have "hunted around" a bit with the depth finder to find a good spot to drop the hook. This time, we went to the spot we thought we had anchored before, put the hook down and made sure it was set. Whew! Colby was in a hurry to get ashore, so Dick put the dingy in the water and took him to "dog beach." Well, by the time they returned, we were aground, and only 2 hours after high tide! With all of the activity, we had not done our usual careful job of anchoring. Oh, boy, this is going to be interesting! We decided that we would just wait for high tide, and we should be able to get off by ourselves. High tide would be 2:30 AM. OK, cook dinner quickly before it becomes too difficult, sit on the rail for a while and wave at all of the people who pass by on their boats. A few asked if we needed food or water! By low tide, we were at a heel of 35 degrees...very uncomfortable. We rested for a while, and waited for the tide to come back in. About 2:00 AM, we were upright again and we started working to get ourselves off. Dick tried to winch us out with the windlass, and Karen was at the helm, assisted with the engine. We moved an inch or two, tried again, another inch or two, but we finally decided we weren't going to be able to get off under our own power. The hide tide at 2:30 AM was not quite as high as the high tide in the afternoon, by a few inches. So we called BOAT US, and asked for a tow. Within minutes, we were floating free once again! This was the same BOAT US operator who had assisted us back in October in the same inlet! Very professional and helpful. So we re anchored in deeper water, to regroup and rest a bit. By 5:00 AM the fishing boats were underway, and in this narrow channel were were rocking and rolling. We were underway soon after.

The plan had been to return to the anchorage behind the Statue of Liberty, which we have enjoyed before. However, we had received a call from Brian and Deb, whom we had met at Utsch's, saying that the whole area around the Statue was closed off because of the Red Bull Air Races. So on to Plan B: some other folks had told us that Great Kill Harbor on Staten Island is an excellent anchorage. A little out of the way, but we decided to check it out. Only 35 (nautical) miles from Manasquan, but we needed a short day after our sleepless night in Manasquan. This was a very good stop; excellent holding, a good dinghy dock, and a nice place to walk. We certainly slept well that night!

As we were leaving the channel at 7:30 the next morning, a fishing boat passed us: it was Norman, whom we had met a couple of times while he was visiting our friend Rick Kelley on Lake Champlain. Norman lives in New Jersey, and we had told him we would call when we were on the Jersey coast. On the phone the night before, he had told us he would be fishing in Great Kills Harbor the next morning! The timing was perfect!

It was a long slog to Haverstraw that day, 51 nautical miles, with the tide against us most of the day. Our lowest speed of the day was 2.8 knots, but by the time we reached Haverstraw we were up to 6.0 knots. About a half mile from Haverstraw Marina, at 5:00PM, we ran out of fuel!! ARGH!!!! So Dick quickly added diesel to the tank, and we motored to the fuel dock, where we topped off. The fuel dock was very busy, and it was 7:30 by the time we got to our slip, exhausted. Did we mention that it was 90 degrees and humid?

We slept in the next morning, and it was almost 9:30 by the time we were underway. Tide was against us again this day, but our lowest speed was 4.2 knots, better than the day before. Some rain on and off, hot and humid, then thunderstorms forecast for the evening. We picked up a mooring at Hyde Park, and once again our enclosure was an asset, as we had dinner in the cockpit during a downpour! This would be a good spot to return to, as it is walking distance to the Roosevelt Historic Site and the Vanderbilt Mansion.

On to Riverview Marine Services the next day, arriving at noon. Another 90+ degree day, and very humid. UGHH! And an unpleasant surprise: our mast crutches, which we use to hold the mast on the boat while we motor up through the Champlain Canal and back to Lake Champlain, were gone. When one has the mast stepped on the trip south, one stores the mast crutches at the marina, with no guarantees. It is an honor system. Well, someone obviously needed our mast supports, and took them. Fortunately, there was a boat at Riverview when we arrived that had just come from Chicago, through the Erie Canal. Sue and Leo are headed south with their Westsail 32, and do not intend to return. So they offered us their mast crutches! Thank you!! Only minor modifications were needed to make them work for us. We enjoyed some time chatting with Sue and Leo as we all took some breaks in the shade while trying to work on our boats. They were rigging to head south; we were de-rigging to head north on the canal. Thursday morning we finished de-rigging, the mast was down and we were underway by noon. We really appreciate the skill of the staff at Riverview.

Thunderstorms were threatening for the afternoon, and we listened to the weather radio to track the progress of the storms. Once when the skies were really dark and the wind picked up, we picked up a mooring at Castleton for a few minutes. When the conditions quieted down, we were underway again. Later as we entered the Port of Albany, it started to rain, so we hugged the bulkhead, and kept moving. Through the Troy Lock at 6:45; just as we exited the lock, our friend Larry called to see where we were. Larry lives in Waterford; when we arrived at the free docks at Waterford, Larry greeted us and helped us with our lines! Great to see a familiar face! We walked to a nearby pizzeria, and brought pizza and wings back for dinner in the cockpit. Thanks Larry!

This morning, our son Emil picked us up, and drove us to Queensbury so that Colby could see his vet! Colby had developed a skin condition which we wanted checked out. Back to Waterford, lunch with Emil, and he was on his way. We are happy to be here in Waterford, and will probably stay an extra day. Three days from here to Van Slooten Harbour Marina!!

Hurray, Hurray, we're at Cape May!!

Sorry for the lapse in blogging!! The 3 of us are fine, and we are here at Cape May in a downpour, waiting for the three day weather window we need to get up the New Jersey coast.

To backtrack at bit: the trip from Norfolk to Deltaville was a long one. It took us 11.5 hours to make the trip (56 nautical miles). We had the tide and current against us for a while, and that really makes a difference in a slow boat like ours. Doziers Regatta Point Marina was very nice; Dave and Linda arrived ahead of us and were there to take our lines when we arrived! We stayed two nights here, and enjoyed the pool, a wine and cheese party and dinner with Dave and Linda.

On to Solomons; another long day, but we made better time on this section: 58.8 miles in 11 hours. The tide was with us, and that helped a lot. Nothing happening at the Navy firing range this trip! It was a good day, we rolled out some jib and motorsailed most of the day. At Solomons we anchored; it is an excellent anchorage, with the dingy dock at the Holiday Inn close by, so it is easy to get Colby ashore. Also a great grocery store and West Marine within walking distance. We stayed 2 nights here as well; the problem with 11 + hour travel days is that we need a rest day in between! It became very hot and humid while we were here; we sure do look forward to some cool Adirondack weather! All fall we kept looking for warm weather; now we are looking for relief from the extreme heat and humidity!

From Solomons we crossed over to the eastern shore, entered the Choptank River, and went in "the back door" to St. Michael's. Our friends Carol and Rick Clarke live just a few minutes away, and Carol met us at the dinghy dock and took us back to their house for showers!! Wow, what a treat after being anchored out for 2 nights in this weather!! After, we went out for pizza and then back to the boat. Colby opted to stay with "Auntie Carol" for the night, in the cool, air-conditioned house! Dick needed to go home for a few days; we had planned to find a marina, where Karen and Colby would stay on the boat, and Dick would rent a car to make the trip home and back. Carol came up with a wonderful alternate plan; we could anchor the boat in front of their friends' house in a nearby quiet creek, Dick would fly from Baltimore to Albany, and Karen and Colby would stay with the Clarkes in that cool, air-conditioned house! Thank you Carol! This was a great plan, especially since the temperatures and humidity were at record breaking levels for early June in the Chesapeake. Our good friend Toby picked Dick up at Albany airport in our Toyota. Colby and Karen truly enjoyed the time off the boat with our good friends Carol and Rick. Karen got to sail with Carol on Caspar, a 19' Cape Dory! This was a different and fun time. And Colby finally got to go swimming a couple of times; first time since leaving Lake Champlain in September! Very happy dog! Carol has come to our rescue several times; it is wonderful to have good friends, especially ones who are strategically located on the Chesapeake!

After Dick returned we spent another day anchored near St. Michaels, waiting for a front to pass through. There were several boats in the same anchorage, which was well protected.

From St. Michaels we passed through Knapps Narrows, and then on to Annapolis. We were finally able to sail! It was a beautiful day, with the breeze really picking up as we arrived at Annapolis. It truly is the sailing capital of the East Coast; sailboats all over, and lots of skill evident in the handling of those boats. In Annapolis harbor, moorings are available for $30 per night. A small price to pay to watch the circus! Boats of all sizes coming and going, sailboats, powerboats, tour boats, kayaks, dinghies; it is constant motion, and one can watch it all from the comfort of one's own cockpit! And then of course, when you venture ashore, there are people all over, watching the boats, strolling along the boardwalk, enjoying the beautiful weather. We enjoyed the sights so much we stayed 2 nights.

Then on to Tolchester. This is where we had ended our trip south in the fall of 2008 when we arrived a week before Thanksgiving and the temperatures were in the 20's. The folks at Tolchester Marina took very good care of us when we decided to store the boat here for the winter. It was nice to return in warm weather! Actually, it was another hot and humid day; after visiting with friends here, we enjoyed a swim in the pool and a drink at the pool bar! Colby enjoyed another swim on the beach!

Next day we traveled to Chesapeake City; we were very happy to get a spot at the free town dock! Chesapeake City is another pretty town, with lots of friendly folks. We enjoyed a great crab dinner at the Tap Room. We studied the tide and current charts in preparation for the trip down the Delaware Bay. This is a long trip (62 nautical miles), and the current is significant in the Delaware River and Delaware Bay. Timing is critical to making a successful trip in one day. We left the dock at 5:20 Am, had the ebb tide with us, then current against us for 3 hours, then the current with us. We made the rip from Chesapeake City to Utsch's Marina in 12 hours. We were very pleased to have had such a successful day.

This is our fourth stay at Utsch's Marina; we really enjoy our time here. The staff are friendly and helpful, the protection is excellent, the facilities are very good, and the village of Cape May is a fun place to visit, with a good grocery store and a hardware store. It was beautifully cool here yesterday; what a welcome relief form the temps and humidity we have experienced lately. We arrived here Monday night; we anticipate leaving either Thursday or Friday, depending on how quickly the seas settle down after today's storm. We are using the time here to provision, do laundry, clean the boat, change the engine oil, and catch up the blog! The New Jersey coast for us is a 3 day trip: Cape May to Atlantic City, Atlantic City to Manasquan, and Manasquan to New York City. Then we will be back on the Hudson River! Trefoil can almost see the barn door!

Back in Norfolk again

The Dismal Swamp Canal trip went well: there are 2 locks to go through on this route. We got through the first one on Sunday, and arrived at the North Carolina Visitors' Center about 12:30 PM. We could have kept going and made it to Norfolk that night, but thunderstorms were imminent, AND there were no boats tied up at the wall when we arrived!! Last fall on the trip south, we were the last of 17 boats to arrive and raft up at this location! This was a treat; we secured our lines, got Colby ashore for a bit, and then the thunderstorms and heavy rain began. We were really glad to be where we were and to have our enclosure in place. A couple of hours later, some of the other boats from Elizabeth City arrived and were were able to help them get tied up. Five of us spent the night here. What a great stop! Lots of space to walk the dog, clean restrooms, and friendly folks!

Through the second lock the next day and on to Waterside Marina in downtown Norfolk. We had stayed here in the fall. It is a great location; step off the boat and into a city. What an abrupt change from 2 days in the Dismal Swamp! Norfolk is a great spot; lots to see and do, and a beautiful waterfront park. We had intended to stay two nights here, but we have opted for a third. Our friends Dave and Linda on Off Islander, dock neighbors from Stuart this winter, arrived last night. They tell us they have been chasing us for weeks, trying to catch up! We stayed an extra day to spend time with them and to avoid the 3 - 4' chop at the mouth of the bay today.

Tomorrow we begin our trip up the Chesapeake! Approximately 200 miles. Some weather is moving in over the next couple of days, so we will monitor that. We did hear reports of a major storm brewing over the Atlantic, with waves to 18'. Glad we are not out there for that!

On the move

A short trip from Seagate Marina to Oriental, where we once again put down the hook in the very nice anchorage there. Just a short trip to the dinghy dock and we were all three ashore for a nice walk in this pretty town.

Next day, NOAA called for 50% chance of showers and East winds 5 - 10 knots. Now, remember we sat out a day recently when the forecast was for 90% chance of rain and thunderstorms, and nothing happened, except for a quiet day at the dock! So we set out, and within minutes, it was pouring and the winds were 15 -20, from the wrong direction, of course!! And fog. Sure were glad we had that enclosure and the Garmin! Well, the rain didn't last long, and the conditions improved, and we increased from 3.8 mph to 6.3 mph in the afternoon. We were glad to arrive at Dowry Creek Marina, just outside Belhaven. We had spent 5 days here in the fall when Ida passed through. This is a beautiful spot and Mary is a wonderful hostess! Our friends John, Linda and Roscoe on Triton's Trumpet have wintered here and it was great to see them again. They are the folks who helped us out so much the first time we headed south a year and a half ago. We stayed an extra day here, to clean the boat and use the loaner car to go to town for provisions and propane.

Off the next day for the 50 mile trip through the Alligator River-Pungo River Canal and through the Alligator River Bridge. The Canal passes through a beautiful, remote area. We had heard reports of bear swimming across the canal! We didn't see any, but we did spot some deer. This time we opted for the Alligator River Marina, just past the bridge. A great spot, and helpful dock hand! An alligator had been swimming in the marina within the past year, so no swimming for Colby! We saw some turtles floating around off our stern. Colby had a chance to run and play it the open space here.

Today, the trip up the Abermarle Sound has been completed. This large, shallow body of water is an area to be crossed carefully and not in high winds. Even today with 5-10 knots from the east, it was really bouncy for a while. Then it got calm, so we couldn't sail, and then the breeze picked up just as we were coming in! Tonight we are tied up in Elizabeth City at the free docks. Looks like a full house tonight! Still a bit bouncy right now, but forecast is for a calm night tonight. (We'll see about that!)

Tomorrow we start through the Dismal Swamp Canal and we hope to be in Norfolk by Monday night.

Trefoil gets "mooned" and other adventures!

We've had a busy travel schedule, and haven't been able to update our blog until now. Leaving Charleston, we "cranked it up" to get through the Ben Sawyer bridge for the 9:00 opening. We were the last boat through for that opening! Traveling against the current all the way, we motored to Leland Oil in McClellanville. We had stopped here on the trip south; McClellanville is a very pretty town, and there is a fresh seafood market just 2 blocks from Leland Oil, which provides overnight docking for transients. We enjoyed fresh shrimp for dinner!

Colby has been having some occasional intestinal problems, and we decided it was time to get him to a vet for a check-up. Cruising friends had told us about a good vet in Georgetown, so on we went the next day. We hadn't stopped here on the way south, but we are very glad to have made this stop this time. Georgetown is a very pretty town, with a boardwalk and lots of shops and restaurants along the water. Colby had a very thorough check up with Dr. Judy at Harborwalk Veterinary Clinic; she said he has colitis, and prescribed the same medication our vet from home had prescribed back in February when he had a similar problem. We are glad to have had the checkup and certainly happy that it is not anything more serious. Next time we would anchor here, but this time we stayed at a marina, so that we could get our friend to his appointment easily.

An easy day the next day, on to Osprey Marina, near Myrtle Beach. It was a beautiful day traveling on the Waccamaw River. We had the current with us, and could have easily gone farther, but we decided to stop and we were so glad we did! As we were approaching the fuel dock, we spotted "R Hope". We had met Lorne and Edy last fall in Elizabeth City, had enjoyed time with them, and have been emailing ever since. This is the first time we have seen them since November! We enjoyed dinner, wine and conversation with them on their 40' DeFever.

Then we did 2 "marathon days!" 59.7 miles then 69.1 miles the next day! (Normally we travel between 30 and 50 miles per day, depending on location of anchorages and/or marinas, as well as tide and current conditions.) We didn't really plan it that way, but that's the way it worked out. No good places to anchor, some marinas too shallow to get into, etc. The first day was the day Trefoil was "mooned!" When the sun and the moon are in close proximity, the result is "astronomically" (exceptionally) low and high tides. On this particular day, the tide was so low that the Sunset Beach Pontoon Bridge closed for two hours due to the low tide. So we and several other boats anchored, waiting for the tide to come up enough for the bridge to open. First time we had encountered this situation! This was an 11.5 hour day. On the second day, we had a great ride up the Cape Fear River; tide with us, we motorsailed and made between 7.5 and 8.0 mph all the way! This can be a tricky run, so we were very pleased to have excellent conditions and the current with us. We were making such good time we decided not to stop at Wrightsville Beach, but to keep going. The tide was with us, but the "weekend warriors" were out in full force. Lots of wakes, and boaters looking the other way as boats "flew" by. This area along Wrightsville Beach and Carolina Beach is full of recreational weekend boaters. The marina we had wanted to stop at was full, so we kept going. 11.5 hours under way that day as well.

We decided to do a short day the next day, just 18 miles to Swansboro. We had been here in the fall, and enjoyed the town. So we made reservation at Casper's Marina, and envisioned a restful time. Boy, were we surprised! The southeast wind was blowing directly into the marina, and we were on the outer dock, right into the wind. Add to that the fact that it was Saturday, and lots of boats were in and out, leaving many wakes. Not a restful afternoon, to say the least.

On the next day to a totally different situation! Forecast was for 90% chance of rain and thunderstorms, so we were looking for a "hidey-hole" where we could rest up a bit and have protection from the weather. We found Sea Gate Marina, on the Adams River Canal, between Morehead City and Oriental. A very protected spot, friendly staff, peaceful, good place to walk a dog. We decided to stay 2 nights, due to the unsettled weather. No cell phone service, but great Wifi! So far, grey skies, but no rain or thunderstorms, as predicted. That's OK! Hopefully tomorrow we will move on to Oriental.

A few notes of interest:
1. It is so important to always have the VHF radio on 16. We have seen examples of boaters who apparently only turn on their radios when they want to call someone else. But you try to contact them, and no response! Just today, we heard the Coast Guard hailing a vessel, and there was no answer. Apparently no radio on. Not smart.
2. The dinghy davits have been great, as the dinghy is out of the water, but relatively easy to launch. They do add a maneuverability problem, however, when docking, especially when getting into a tight spot! Also, visibility over the stern is limited. Now we have to stand up frequently to check for traffic astern.
3. Fans are so important in hot weather. We have 2 DC Caframo fans, which we thought might be overkill. We use them all the time in this weather. Also we have two battery powered "personal fans" which get a lot of use as well.
4. We have used the tiller pilot some, and it has been a very welcome break for Richard when it is in use. However, much of the route needs to be hand steered, because of so many turns and also needing to alter course to steer into wakes from powerboats.
5. We have done quite a bit of motorsailing with the jib. The roller furling jib makes this easy. We never roll out more than 70 to 80% of the fore triangle, so as not to put too much stress on the rig. But we do pick up anywhere from a half a mile to a mile an hour when we use it. A real savings on diesel!

Be careful what you wish for...!

All fall and winter we complained about the cold. We couldn't wait to get to a dock at night so we could plug in the electric heater. People all along the way kept saying that this was the coldest winter anyone has seen in years, especially in Florida. We just wanted warm weather and sunshine.

Well, folks, the weather has changed! For about a week we have been experiencing temperatures in the high 80's and low 90's, and high humidity. Very uncomfortable. Wow! What a difference. Now local people are saying that this is early for this kind of weather, even for the south! It isn't even summer yet; this is July and August weather!

We enjoyed our time at Isle of Hope, visiting our friends there and taking care of some boat chores. Isle of Hope Methodist Church provided a warm welcome on Sunday morning. We left Isle of Hope on Tuesday, headed for Beaufort, South Carolina. It was a grey day with light rain showers and little wind, but we were making fine progress under power. Then at about 1:30 PM, NOAA announced a tornado warning, with severe thunderstorms and heavy rain headed toward Hilton Head. We were about 5 miles south at that point. The sky turned black, and the wind piped up. It just happened that we were near Haig Point, where there was a series of docks. We radioed, and received no response, so we went in to the dock anyway and tied up. Just in time! Heavy rain, gusty wind, then it all passed in a half hour, and we were on our way again! At that point, we didn't want to cross Port Royal Sound in unsettled weather, so we opted for Skull Creek Marina on Hilton Head. We were soaked, and we needed a break.

On the next day to Beaufort, only 18 miles. This made a very short travel day, but we had enjoyed Beaufort in December, and wanted to visit again in warm weather. So we put the hook down near Downtown Marina, and dinghied ashore to enjoy the beautiful waterfront area. It was just too hot to do any sightseeing, but it was nice to enjoy sitting outside along the waterfront.

Next day was again hot and humid we motored to an anchorage in the South Edisto River, where we had anchored on our way south in the fall. Last time we were all alone; this time two other boats joined us! When we got up at 5:30 the next morning, it was 73 degrees in the boat and 93% humidity. Yuck.

On to Charleston, this time to the Charleston Maritime Center. Good choice. This location is close to the center of Charleston: the Battery, the restaurants, and really all of the action! Last night a front moved through, bringing cooler weather, after a day in the 90's. Overnight temps dipped into the 60's and today has been beautiful, with temps in the 70's and low humidity. This morning we were privileged to attend services the the First (Scots) Presbyterian Church. This was our second time here; we had made a special effort to be in Charleston on Sunday so we could return to this beautiful church.

This has been a busy weekend in Charleston; graduation weekend for the College of Charleston, high school prom night and Mother's Day! Flowers and sundresses are abundant! Very colorful and a different flavor from our November visit.

This afternoon we cleaned the boat, filled water tanks, did some provisioning at Harris Teeter, and reviewed the route north. We plan to cross Charleston Harbor and continue north in the AM. While here we have enjoyed conversation with Lynnea and Leonard Rosner on their Sabre 362. They are from Burlington, VT and keep their boat at LCYC. It is a small world!