The Way Back
It's been a while since my last post and as I write this I realize it's October 7th and I have completed 4 and am now beginning the 5th month of my trip!
When I turned around in Maine I had a really fun experience when I ran across a local harbor master - who was also a lobsterman. He was kind of a crusty old guy but I talked him in to taking me out lobstering one day - which is something I had been wanting to do. He called his mate and got ready to go. The captain is 73 years old and his mate is 84!!! These guys were awesome and showed me the ins and outs of baiting a lobster trap, setting the trap, retrieving the trap, then measuring the lobster to see if they are 'keepers'. The best part of the trip is he gave me 3 nice lobster which I cooked right up for my dinner that evening and lobster roll sandwich for lunch the next day...
As I have been making my way back it has been interesting to continue to see so many neat places. But it is even more interesting to see some of the same places I saw on the way up the coast. Places like Martha's Vineyard and Block Island which were in peak season in July and August on my way up looked totally different on the way back. Post-Labor Day is considered off-season and these places take on a toally different feel compared to the feel in peak summer time. They go from busy, crowded, lots happening places... to quiet, deserted, laid back places with very few shops and restaurants even open. I like that laid back quiet feel...
Cruising southbound...
A favorite stop I made on the way back was a visit to my Alma Mater - The Coast Guard Academy - in New London, CT. I have fond memories of my time there and it was fun reminiscing on my time (years ago) at the Academy. It just happened to be Parents Weekend when I was there - so there was lots going on and I was able to roam around freely and re-visit all the places where I used to spend so much time. I also got to see a Cadet Review (parade) and a football game while I was there...
USCGA
Here's Green Ayes moored in the Thames River right off the Academy.
Cadet Review - (did I really used to do that???)
After continuing southbound from New London I passed back through Long Island Sound. I visited again with some family members in that area (Cousin Marybeth, and Christine and family and sister Sue in Norwalk)...
I was then joined by my old friend and Academy roommate Paul Hansen. I visited Paul and his wife Theresa at their house in New Jersey. Then Paul was aboard for a few days including our transit down the East River and an overnight passage from New York City down the Coast past Cape May and on in to the Delaware Bay.
Paul and Theresa
Another aspect of the trip I thought I'd shed some light on is the maintenance necessary to keep this trip going. Of course, there is the daily routine of cooking and cleaning the boat. Green Ayes is a 34 foot boat which is considered small to mid-size and it's important to keep up with cleanliness and tidyness. If not the boat can quickly become cluttered and unkempt - not good.
There is also the routine maintenance to keep the engine up and running. I've run the engine for more than 400 hours so far on the trip and it has been working like a charm. But engine maintenance is very important. Every 100 hours I take time to change the engine oil and filter and the fuel oil filters too.
Beyond the routine maintenance unscheduled/unplanned things also happen...
Like...
A broken hatch dawg - used to close the porthole... leaks when it rains if not properly secured...
Battery Maintenance is another issue. Had a dead battery one morning... no worries... boat has two batteries... for just this reason...
Uh-oh... should be at least 12.6 or things don't work...
Wound up replacing both batteries... one was fairly new - replaced under warranty and the older one had done it's job and was just plain dead...
Another unplanned maintenance problem I had was a clogged 'head' or toilet. The intake valve for the flush water was clogged with seaweed! Had to take things apart in order to resolve the problem...
I highlight some of these maintenance items/issues because for me it as an equally fun and challenging part of the cruise... just as much as navigating and cruising from place to place - I enjoy tackling a maintenance issue whether it is the routine stuff or some unplanned problem... I have had many people ask me - or even tell me - that boating/cruising is a lot of work. My reply - is that when I begin to call it work it will be time for me to give it up. It's not work to me... It's just plain fun and enjoyment.
I'm more than 700+ miles in to the return part of my trip. After doing the overnight trip from New York I rounded Cape May, NJ then transited up the Delaware Bay then through the Chesapeake and Delaware Canal arriving on to Chesapeake Bay. It was so nice the first couple days on the Chesapeake I actually got to swim in the Sassafras River...
Along with a very aggressive and hungry swan
And - of course - witness another beautiful sunset...
I then arrived in Annapolis where I spent time with mom and got to see brothers Michael and Mark too.
I attended the Annapolis Boat Show - which is a must-do for any cruising sailor. Got lots of great info at the show about the next planned part of the journey which is the cruise south-bound on the Intra-Coastal Waterway.
Before I begin the ICW trip I am heading home to Chicago for a week to see Janet and PENNY!!!
That's it for now...
When I turned around in Maine I had a really fun experience when I ran across a local harbor master - who was also a lobsterman. He was kind of a crusty old guy but I talked him in to taking me out lobstering one day - which is something I had been wanting to do. He called his mate and got ready to go. The captain is 73 years old and his mate is 84!!! These guys were awesome and showed me the ins and outs of baiting a lobster trap, setting the trap, retrieving the trap, then measuring the lobster to see if they are 'keepers'. The best part of the trip is he gave me 3 nice lobster which I cooked right up for my dinner that evening and lobster roll sandwich for lunch the next day...
Cruising southbound...
A favorite stop I made on the way back was a visit to my Alma Mater - The Coast Guard Academy - in New London, CT. I have fond memories of my time there and it was fun reminiscing on my time (years ago) at the Academy. It just happened to be Parents Weekend when I was there - so there was lots going on and I was able to roam around freely and re-visit all the places where I used to spend so much time. I also got to see a Cadet Review (parade) and a football game while I was there...
USCGA
Here's Green Ayes moored in the Thames River right off the Academy.
Cadet Review - (did I really used to do that???)
After continuing southbound from New London I passed back through Long Island Sound. I visited again with some family members in that area (Cousin Marybeth, and Christine and family and sister Sue in Norwalk)...
I was then joined by my old friend and Academy roommate Paul Hansen. I visited Paul and his wife Theresa at their house in New Jersey. Then Paul was aboard for a few days including our transit down the East River and an overnight passage from New York City down the Coast past Cape May and on in to the Delaware Bay.
Paul and Theresa
Another aspect of the trip I thought I'd shed some light on is the maintenance necessary to keep this trip going. Of course, there is the daily routine of cooking and cleaning the boat. Green Ayes is a 34 foot boat which is considered small to mid-size and it's important to keep up with cleanliness and tidyness. If not the boat can quickly become cluttered and unkempt - not good.
There is also the routine maintenance to keep the engine up and running. I've run the engine for more than 400 hours so far on the trip and it has been working like a charm. But engine maintenance is very important. Every 100 hours I take time to change the engine oil and filter and the fuel oil filters too.
Beyond the routine maintenance unscheduled/unplanned things also happen...
Like...
A broken hatch dawg - used to close the porthole... leaks when it rains if not properly secured...
Battery Maintenance is another issue. Had a dead battery one morning... no worries... boat has two batteries... for just this reason...
Uh-oh... should be at least 12.6 or things don't work...
Wound up replacing both batteries... one was fairly new - replaced under warranty and the older one had done it's job and was just plain dead...
Another unplanned maintenance problem I had was a clogged 'head' or toilet. The intake valve for the flush water was clogged with seaweed! Had to take things apart in order to resolve the problem...
I highlight some of these maintenance items/issues because for me it as an equally fun and challenging part of the cruise... just as much as navigating and cruising from place to place - I enjoy tackling a maintenance issue whether it is the routine stuff or some unplanned problem... I have had many people ask me - or even tell me - that boating/cruising is a lot of work. My reply - is that when I begin to call it work it will be time for me to give it up. It's not work to me... It's just plain fun and enjoyment.
I'm more than 700+ miles in to the return part of my trip. After doing the overnight trip from New York I rounded Cape May, NJ then transited up the Delaware Bay then through the Chesapeake and Delaware Canal arriving on to Chesapeake Bay. It was so nice the first couple days on the Chesapeake I actually got to swim in the Sassafras River...
Along with a very aggressive and hungry swan
And - of course - witness another beautiful sunset...
I then arrived in Annapolis where I spent time with mom and got to see brothers Michael and Mark too.
I attended the Annapolis Boat Show - which is a must-do for any cruising sailor. Got lots of great info at the show about the next planned part of the journey which is the cruise south-bound on the Intra-Coastal Waterway.
Before I begin the ICW trip I am heading home to Chicago for a week to see Janet and PENNY!!!
That's it for now...
Wow your last 2 sunset pictures have been some of my favorites! I love how you say when the cruising or maintenance becomes work its time to go home. Good attitude! I also didn't realize you got to see Uncle Mark and Uncle Mike! How fun for G to have all her boys together. I also love the picture of you swimming! Did you say to the swan, "Stop looking at me Swaaaaan?!" because that is very important. Love you Dad!
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