Sept. 14-Oct. 21 Atlantic Highlands to Aquia Harbour, VA

We left Atlantic Highlands anchorage very late morning after picking up our mail at the local post office. The ocean was calm and we had a good ride, but because we left Atlantic Highlands so late in the morning, we had to go in the inlet at Mannasquan, NJ. We anchored for the night and traveled the remaider of the way to Atlantic City via the inland waterway. It is a very winding route and some parts are shallow, but we reached Atlantic City without a hitch and anchored for the night. We still had good weather and calm seas so we went out the Atlantic City inlet to Cape May where we again anchored before preceeding on down the Delaware to the C&D Canal. The current was against us all day and by the time to reached the C&D canal we were both tired so we decided to stop at Summit North Marina. We had great meals at their restaurant and we needed a rest so we stayed a second night and again went back to their restaurant.

The remainder of our cruise to Aquia Harbour was uneventful, which is a good thing when you're cruising. We stopped off in the Baltimore area to see friends on Great Harbours Puffin and Lo Que SeA and at Solomons to see Forever 39 crew.

We spent almost 4 weeks in Aquia Harbour at our home dock. Time went quickly. We participated in our yacht club and power squadron functions, took care of our dental and medical needs, took care of some items in and around our house, visited with some friends and provisioned for our trip south.

Sept. 10-14 Poughkeepsie to Atlantic Highlands, NY

We said farewell to cousins Judi and PJ the previous evening after a wonderful meal at the Culinary Institute of America and departed on Thursday. The weather prediction for NY Harbor and the Atlantic coast was for winds and rough seas. We decided to anchor a couple of nights north of NY until the weather improved. Additionally, we had called for mail and that would arrive on Monday at the post office in Atlantic Highlands. So there was no point in rushing. On Sunday, we felt that there would be no problem going through NY Harbor. Two to three foot seas were forecast for Monday. Our plan was to position ourselves so that we could go into Atlantic Highlands Post Office early Monday, get our mail, and head down the coast.

As we approached NY Harbor we heard a Coast Guard announcement that most of NY Harbor was closed to boat traffic because of sail boat races. We were having a hard time figuring out exactly what part of the Harbor was closed. Since no one was stopping us, we continued cruising through the Harbor. We finally figured out what was going on. There was not a race going on. It was a parade of Dutch tall ships celebrating the 400th anniversary of the discovery of the Hudson River.

We got to the anchorage at Atlantic Highlands in the afternoon. We lowered the dinghy so we would be ready to go into the post office early in the morning. As planned, we got up early, got into the dinghy and headed for the post office. Ollie was happy for the opportunity to get off the boat. We figured the post office would open at either 8 am or 8:30 am. It didn't open until 9 am. We got our mail, without a hitch, and headed back to the boat. Ollie did some fast walking that morning.

Sept. 6-9 Waterford to Poughkeepsie, NY

From Waterford we took our time getting to Poughkeepsie since it was Labor Day Weekend. We try to avoid cruising on holidays. Usually all the crazies are out. We spent 2 nights anchored out before arriving in Poughkeepsie on Wednesday. Stayed at the Poughkeepsie Yacht Club again. Cousins Judi and PJ made dinner reservations for Wednesday night at the Culinary Institute of America (CIA). The CIA has several restaurants on campus. We decided on the Italian restaurant. There was an extensive menu and also set price meals that included an appetizer, entree, dessert, and beverage. We all went for the set price meals. Fewer decisions to make. We also ordered wine. All the chefs, waiters and busboys are students at the institute. Our waiter was close to graduating from the institute. It was a lovely evening. We really enjoyed Judi and PJ. Next time we are up that way we would like to try the French restaurant.

Sept 2-5 Lock 8 to Waterford, NY

A dog being walked in Waterford.

We went through Locks 8, 7, 6, 5, 4, 3, 2, and arrived back in Waterford. On our previous trip through Waterford, dockage was free for 48 hrs and then $10 per day. Well, apparently there had been some problems since we left. Now we heard that boats were being fined $100 for staying past the 48 hr. limit. We had already arranged for our cousin Rebecca and her family to meet us in Waterford on Saturday, 4 days away. They would be driving from Boston, about a 3 hr. trip for them. We were a little nervous about exceeding the 48 hr. limit, but no one approached us about overstaying the limit.

While waiting for Saturday for Rebecca, Mark and little Nathaniel to arrive, Randy had to find a dentist since he was having pain from a back tooth. He was lucky. The visitor's center recommended a dentist who Randy thought was one of the best dentists he had ever been to. Randy needs a root canal. That will wait until we get back to Aquia Harbour. The pain has been taken care of for now.

We had a wonderful visit with Rebecca and her family. We had lunch on the boat and then walked up to the lock so that they could see what locking through is like, but no boats were locking through. They got the idea though. Nathaniel had a good time holding Ollie's lease. They are the right size for each other.