5/26/17

Bob is now a gardener.  We have tomato seeds started under the dodger.

A sailing greenhouse planted in Oriental, NC thanks to cousin Dick and our trip to Lowes.

The smell of cow pastures and the bright green of spring on shore reminded us we were almost "home" as we motored along the Erie Canal.  Home is in quotation marks; the boat is really our home.  The other "home" is Brian and Deb's dock in Pennellville, NY where they have graciously put up with gypsies in their front yard in the summer for too many years to count.  This summer will be cut about 6 weeks short as the NY Water & Power Authority have taken over the management of the Erie Canal.  They will only be open from May 19 - Oct. 11 this year.  The excitement on the canal this week for us was catching up to and passing a tug pushing 2 barges with Genessee Brewery's new beer tanks aboard headed for Rochester.  More on that later.
Our last ocean passage for the season was almost perfect.  Light southerly winds and sunshine from Norfolk, out the Chesapeake, to Sandy Hook, NJ.  We had to start the motor here and there when the winds dropped off but all in all a wonderful sail.  Here's a video Jerry took of a ship coming in at Norfolk as we go out: https://youtu.be/3T01aMm1ll4

Sunrise on the ocean

This was our first time anchoring at Atlantic Highlands, NJ.  Nice spot!

Atlantic Highlands with Persephone in the center.  "Atlantic Highlands" was on the transom when we bought the boat.

And a special treat - Marianne, the original owner of our boat, met us there on shore.  A wonderful reunion and dinner together at the Inlet Cafe along the Shrewsbury River sharing stories of winter adventures and making plans for Marianne to spend some time aboard sailing with us next season.  Something to look forward to.

Karen, Marianne, and Jerry at the Inlet Cafe.

Excellent sailing the next day from NJ to the Verrazano past the Statue of Liberty and Manhattan.  Here are some videos on youtube: Sandy Hook to West Bank Light https://youtu.be/ACu3b4dUGk8
and NY Harbor https://youtu.be/W2Sq0EFkzZg.  A million ferry boats darted back and forth dodging us to deliver passengers here and there.  Can you imagine our surprise when what I thought was a log up ahead turned out to be a deer!  Swimming in the open water south of the Verrazano Bridge and being carried with the tide towards the sandy beaches of Sandy Hook.  I scrambled to take a video: https://youtu.be/IQZygBkOwIc and https://youtu.be/C9ZAahiCoS4.  Hope she made it.


Last year when we approached the Tappan Zee bridge a thick fog rolled down across the water.  No visibility and we had to proceed with radar and chartplotter through the bridge.  This year  a dark cloud rolled over us with thunder, lightning, gusts to 40 mph and a downpour of rain.  Again, the bridge was not to be seen until we came out on the other side.  Glad we had just put the sails away.  Blue skies and sunshine prevailed as we continued up the Hudson River.
Vince is always on the dock to greet us with hugs when we pull into the marina at Kingston, NY.  No apples on board so I whipped up a batch of brownies.  The smell of brownies wafted up from below as Vince used the crane to take our mast down and lay it on the supports on deck.  During break we sat at the picnic table by Vince's office munching on brownies, talking, and watching the action at the marina.  Vince saw us off the next morning, "See you in the fall!"
Back out on the Hudson, now a motorboat, to Albany and Waterford.  The beginning of the Erie Canal.   More motoring.  We sat in the cockpit each day, steering with the autopilot and remote control, watching for debris, enjoying the sights, and creating "to do" lists for summer work projects.  So much to do in so little time.

Debris pile up blocking a section of the bridge.  Our new friends from Ithaca, NY aboard Lucky Charm under the bridge.

On our 2nd day we came upon the barge carrying 6 60 ft. stainless steel beer tanks on 2 barges.  We were able to sneak by on a straight section to pass the barges and arrive at Lock 14.  The tug "Otter" allowed the other 3 sailboats behind to pass him and we all locked through ahead of the barge.  At each lock the barges have to be separated, they use winches to pull one barge into the lock, fill the lock with water, and then out the other side.  The lock then has to be prepared for the tug to push the 2nd barge through, reconnect and continue west.  Spectators lined Lock 14 to watch the 2 hour process.  Thank you Mr. Tug Boat Captain for letting us go ahead!

3 beer tanks on a barge near Coeymans south of Albany.

6 beer tanks on 2 barges up ahead.

6 beer tanks on 2 barges behind us.

Rain greets us as we come to the Syracuse area.  We are "home" by Friday afternoon.  Looking forward to some warmer and dryer weather now!
Karen & Jerry
Persephone