Mystic Spring 2019

     We are back home in Mystic. We have been for nearly a month. Too busy, I guess, to update this blog before now.

     A number of things have happened since we got home but let's start back in Annapolis, my last entry.

     We left Back Creek, Eastport, shortly after Carol got back from her work trip. It was warmish but cloudy and became somewhat foggy as we headed north on Chesapeake Bay. Small Craft Advisories were forecast, too. Seas built to about six inches. We managed.

     We went to Worton Creek to hide out from a coming storm. Another spring gale. Sigh. We stayed two nights and had a slow drag the first morning. After moving farther south in the harbor to the softer bottom area we did not drag. Go figure. We had done fine for a close approach tropical storm a few years ago with no issues.

     From there it was only a few hour trip up the Bay to the C&D Canal and the free dock at Chesapeake City. It has been dredged and was just fine. We were the only boat overnight and had dinner and several conversations with passing tourists.

     Easter Sunday dawned with us ready to get underway for the dreaded Delaware Bay. This Bay is dreaded only because it is mostly boring. It can be rough, especially at the mouth, but usually it is just boring. Last year the last few hours while nearing the mouth were very rough and the trip around Cape May was especially atrocious. This year the Bay was fine and Cape May was only a little uncomfortable. Semi nasty. For 45 minutes. We'll take it.

     The trip up the coast of New Jersey, offshore over night, was not too bad. Not freezing. Not too breezy and with smallish following seas. Had much worse in the past.

     The most interesting occurrence was on the approach past Sandy Hook, NJ to head into New York Harbor. We saw a Humpback Whale waving his pectoral fin at us. Well, maybe not at us. Looking for ladies more likely. Anyway, he seemed young. And not too big. For a whale. Very cool.

     Going through the City we had some sprinkles but were still able to wave to Cobbe and family while passing through Hells Gate. Also cool. We tied up at a free mooring at Port Washington.

     The next day we were heading to Port Jefferson but changed our minds because the arrival would be too early. We headed to Duck Island off of Westbrook, CT instead. We hadn't been there in several decades. We used to anchor there so Heather could play on the beach. She doesn't remember that. On the way our starboard engine raw water pump belt broke. What fun. It took me nearly three hours to replace it and the serpentine belt in front of it while Carol steered. What fun.

     The next day was mostly uneventful as we headed home to Mystic. We found our mooring ball had sunk but we were able to pick up the pennant without a problem.

     Our arrival home meant a babysitting job for Carol and the start of many doctor visits. More parts removed. On me and the boat.

     Change of belts on the port side engine to keep both sides the same and oil changes on all engines. We came back one day to find our boat was missing. Well, we could see it. It was half way towards Brewer's Marina aground in the mud. The mooring had broken in light winds after a week or more of much heavier winds. Go figure.

     We are temporarily on the marina dock, taking someone else's spot, until the mooring is repaired. The new marina owner is slow to do anything and not very truthful. We'll see what happens.

     Next up is Memorial Day Weekend at Hamburg Cove and also orientation for a volunteer job at Mystic Seaport Museum. We'll see how that works out.