Liberty Schooner - Unplugged.
12 December 2008 | Leesburg, NJ
Philip

While we look forward to a weather window to allow us to sail home to Jersey City, and enjoy all the comforts for our slip in Liberty Landing Marina, I am going to miss being here.
It is truly a most beautiful place to be. Definitely off the beaten path, out in the sticks, it is the antipathy of our Jersey City home. We are literally unplugged here. Unplugged from shore power, we use a kerosene lantern to read and do school work by. Unplugged from a fresh water supply, we carry water from Captain Bill's house in 5 Gallon jerry-jugs. The dock at night has been covered with ice, and the current rages by at 4 kts, and of course its winter. Not to mention the ablution facilities, except to say the shipboard systems are all winterized! But, we have seen spectacular sunrises and sunsets here, the simplicity and the remoteness, makes you feel like you are cruising a far away coastline.
The best of all has been working with Captain Bill. He is a remarkable man. Always thinking, always tinkering on a project, he really is a great friend, and working along side him this winter has been a really special time.
Right now we are on the end of a lonely dock, but have moved around a little since getting here. First we were tied up at friend of Bill's dock, until he pulled his docks out for the winter. Then we moved over, and tied alongside a barge full of fish habitats, destined for an artificial reef. (see picture) Being flexible and patient are essential!
Right now, it looks like a Sunday morning 0900 departure for the trip back north. The NOAA weather forecast has mild weather(for this time of the year) starting sometime on Saturday night when the NW wind clocks around to the south. Here is the latest from NOAA:
OVERNIGHT
NW WINDS AROUND 20 KT WITH OCCASIONAL GUSTS UP TO 30
KT. SEAS 4 TO 7 FT.
SAT
NW WINDS 15 TO 20 KT...DIMINISHING TO 10 TO 15 KT. SEAS 3 TO
4 FT...SUBSIDING TO 2 TO 3 FT.
SAT NIGHT
NW WINDS 10 TO 15 KT...BECOMING VARIABLE 5 TO 10 KT.
SEAS 2 TO 3 FT.
SUN
S WINDS 10 TO 15 KT...INCREASING TO 15 TO 20 KT. SEAS 2 TO
3 FT...BUILDING TO 3 TO 4 FT.
SUN NIGHT
S WINDS 15 TO 20 KT. SEAS 3 TO 4 FT.
MON
S WINDS 15 TO 20 KT WITH GUSTS UP TO 25 KT. SEAS 3 TO 5 FT.
With a 0900 Sunday departure we should miss the Monday winds predicted at 25kts. Stay tuned.