June 30, Manasquan, NJ

We moved another 50 miles north along the NJ coast today. Some of the time we were in the ocean and then went into the NJ Intercoastal Waterway through the Little Egg Harbor Inlet. We probably will not do that again. The Intercoastal is very shallow ad we were constantly worried about shoaling and running aground in the channel. The stated depth is as little as 4.5 feet and no dredging has taken place since the mid 1980's. We did the trip on the rising and high tide and still found only 3 feet under the boat for much of the way.

Oyster dredge returns to Atlantic City.

We did not go aground, and it is protected from the winds, but we still found it much less pleasant than going outside in the ocean. We thought it might be more interesting to go inside because we could see more but there were only a few worthwhile spots to see.

The part around Point Pleasant is very pretty. This northern part of the Jersey Shore around Manasquan is very urban and there are tree lined streets and attractive homes here.

Homes on the water in Pt Pleasant.

Entering Pt Pleasant Canal.

We are staying overnight in the Manasquan Inlet area at the Brielle Yacht Club Marina.

Brielle yacht Club Marina.

A pretty white cockatoo with his caregiver.

June 29, Atlantic City, NJ

Today we moved 35 miles north up the New Jersey coast in the ocean to Atlantic City. This is the home of the famous boardwalk and now is home to about a dozen large Casino Hotel complexes.

Approaching Atlantic City.

Another large complex under construction.

The skyline is dominated by the large hotels.

We are staying at the Farley State Marina located in front of the Trump Marina Casino and Hotel.

Approaching Farley State Marina at Trump Marina Hotel.

View of the marina from the rooftop pool area.

Coast Guard base at Atlantic City.
Absecon Inlet behind.

Our favorite casino/hotel the last time we were here with Ron and Cathie in 2007 was the Borgata Hotel and it is our favorite this time, too. We did not do any gambling but we sure did check out the restaurants.

Blown glass chandelier at Borgata Hotel.

Borgata has a very nice sushi restaurant, a Bobby Flay Steakhouse and a Wolfgang Puck American Grill. We had the ceasar salad (great), corn soup with lobster on top and a spicy tuna tartar. And thoroughly enjoyed ourselves.

Linda has the corn soup.

Owen has the tuna tartar.

Best dinner on our trip.

June 28, Cape May, NJ

We left Chesapeake City about 7 am and went east in the C&D Canal another 12 miles to the upper Delaware River where we headed southeast another 50 miles toward the Atlantic Ocean.

We are flying the Maryland flag as we motor through the C&D Canal in the early morning.

St Georges Bridges.
We are leaving Maryland and entering Delaware.

We pass a tanker as the sun comes up.

Ship John Shoal Light.

Ferry terminal for the car ferry from Cape May to Lewes, Delaware.
A bridge or tunnel is planned but for now a ferry crosses the Delaware River.

Tourists on a fast boat pass us in the Cape May canal.

Finally arrived in Cape May, NJ about 4 pm and are docked at Utsch's Marina. Friendly place and right next to the large and famous Lobster House Restaurant.

Utsch's Marina.

June 27, Chesapeake City, MD

We moved 25 miles to the very top of the Chesapeake Bay and entered the C&D Canal which links the Chesapeake Bay with the Delaware River. (Hence the C&D Canal).

Turkey Point Lighthouse as we leave Havre de Grace.
Haze today.

Derelict boat on shore.
Now a playhouse?

Entering the C&D Canal

We are staying a few miles into the canal at a basin at the town of Chesapeake City at the Chesapeake Inn and Marina. This is a large restaurant and marina which is 'party central' for boaters in this area.

Chesapeake Inn and Marina

Anchored pontoon boat with a slide was used as the center point of many rafted boats this weekend. Good idea!

Lots of 'go fast' boats here this weekend.
Straight exhaust. Very loud.

They held the 'Canal Days' celebration here on Friday and Saturday of this weekend and the boating party people are just clearing out. It was a big event with live entertainment and the marina was full with over 100 boats rafted just off the docks.

We take a walk around town and find some homes and stores from the mid 1800's.

Blue Max Inn.
Bed and Breakfast.

Sign says 'Sanford & Son'.
Lots of junk in the yard.
All for sale.

The very small town is charming with the old homes and shops. Looks like a weekend getaway destination for people who may live a few hours away.

A large car carrier ship sails through the C&D Canal in front of Chesapeake City. Takes new cars from Baltimore to Philadelphia and NYC.
Seems very large.

June 25-26, Havre de Grace, MD

Julie and John, Mia, Gracie, Tommy, Ryan, Jack and Christopher left us this morning about 8:30 for their 9 hour drive back to Hickory, NC. It was wonderful to have them with us for the last week. We had nice weather on the water, hot weather ashore, visited some interesting places and had some great meals. Great family vacation together.

After they left us, we move up the Chesapeake another 25 miles and took a 10 mile side trip to Havre de Grace, named by Lafayette in the 1700's after a port in France, and are staying at the Tidewater Marina near downtown. Water temperature is 85 degrees in the north part of the Chesapeake.

Tidewater Marina.

Downtown Havre de Grace.

Havre de Grace has a nice main street with a large used book store, bakery, a general store and a grocery all within a short walk of the marina.

Amish couple have a produce stand in town.

Amish boys (must be the sons) assembling wooden bench swings for sale.
Looks like everyone works.

Pretty glass. Priced at $12,000.

Several large antique stores here and several restaurants. We are just taking it easy for a few days before we head for NYC.

June 23-24, Rock Hall, MD

We moved 15 miles north in the Chesapeake to Rock Hall, Maryland. The Chesapeake Bay was calm today and our two hour trip was very pleasant. Our crew watched the World Cup Soccer while underway and saw USA win in the 91st minute. Pretty exciting. We cruised under the Bay Bridge, the only bridge crossing the Chesapeake Bay. The Bay Bridge connects western Maryland to the eastern shore.

Our crew is on the bow for a better view as we cruise under the Bay Bridge.

Looking west.

Looking east.

Very warm (hot) today as temperatures are in the 95 degree range with almost no breeze. Not bad on the water but as soon as we go ashore the heat seems to rise up from the ground and surround us. We loved Annapolis but it was almost to hot to walk around and enjoy the sights. We are staying at the Rock Hall Landing Marina where we have floating dock and a pool.

Approaching Rock Hall Marina.

Rock Hall Landing Marina office and pool.

Downtown Rock Hall.
98 degrees today.

We have moved to Rock Hall mostly so we can cool off in the swimming pool and enjoy the shaded outdoor BBQ area. Rock Hall is a small settlement (founded as Rock Hall Crossroads in 1675) but has everything we need close to our marina. And we still have the car.

Our crew enjoy the blue crab and corn.

Julie and John got us a half bushel of steamed blue crabs (with 'Old Bay') from a local fisherman and we ate them at our picnic area at the marina as the sun was going down. Julie served them with fresh local corn on the cob and it was delicious. A lady in the marina gave us crab cracking and eating instructions. Messy, but great! Now we know what to do with the crabs when we catch them again.



Julie also found a great swimming beach where the locals hang out. Got to be in the water to stay cool.

Gracie reads a story to Mia

If anyone has been wondering where everyone sleeps on a 48 foot boat, maybe these pictures will explain things better than a description.

Ryan on the couch, Gracie and Tommy on the floor.

Christopher and Mia in the booth made into a bed.

Jack up top on the bridge.

Julie and John in the forward cabin. Linda and Owen in the rear cabin. Ten all together. Compact camping on a boat.

Rock Hall has a boat outing called a 'Wagon Wheel' where all the interested boats raft up for the weekend. Looks like fun.

Wagon Wheel where all boats use an anchor forward and tie off the stern to a common raft in the center. This years raft has a slide for the kids.

Maybe we can do a 'wagon wheel' with other boating friends in Stuart, the Keys or the Bahamas.