Serenity heading south...and returning home!

Kite Flying off the bow of Serenity. Len & Michele and Holly & I enjoyed the site with a cocktail on the bow.

Serenity all decked out with all of her flags for Memorial Day.

We got an early start this morning (7:00 am) and started our trip from Cape May up the dreaded New Jersey Coast. When we got out into the ocean, the seas were relatively calm, but the wind was blowing a little more than I had hoped it would be at this time of the day. We started making our way north and all was well. We continued to get a little more chop as we cruised north. As we past Atlantic City, the seas were building, but Serenity was handling them quite well and as we turned further to the north after rounding AC, the wind moved further to our stern. Just off Atlantic City, we passed our good friends Dave & Betsey Frye on "Fryedaze" who took this beautiful picture of Serenity underway in a heavy sea. Dave & Betsey are from Solomons, MD and they have just started the loop. We first met Dave & Betsey last September when we were in Cape May.
The seas continued to gradually build as we moved north and by the time we passed Barnegat, we had a good following sea and we were committed to pushing to Sandy Hook. We passed Manasquan Inlet at 1:00 pm and the Seas were really building, but Holly thought we should keep going so we did. Serenity was doing just great and all was well so we pushed on and rounded Sandy Hook at 3:30 pm into nice calm waters of Sandy Hook Bay and Raritan Bay. We were all tied up at Great Kills Yacht Club by 4:30 pm. What a day and we were very glad to be safe in a nice harbor.
I hope the worst is over!
We plan to spend Memorial Day here to rest and relax before we head to Long Island Sound on Tuesday. It feels good to be almost back in our home waters of Long Island Sound.

Cheers,
Holly, Ed & Emily aboard M/V Serenity
Fair winds and calm seas for all

We got an early start at 5:20 am today. As I started to pull out of the marina, I saw 5' depth on the depth indicator and Len was following me and he draws 5 ½ feet. I think Len pushed a little mud coming out but he made it and that is all that counts. Our trip along the rest of the C&D Canal was beautiful and we passed our friends Kenny & Kathy Walker on "No Zip Code". Kenny & Kathy are doing the Great Loop. We met Kenny & Kathy this winter in Marathon, FL.
As we turned south into the Delaware Bay we were treated to a beautiful calm morning and a nice start towards Cape May, NJ. Well, that did not last too long!
Little by little as we got further south, the seas started to build and the wind was out of the North which is never a good thing on the Delaware bay, so it got rougher and rougher and by the time we got to the entrance of Cape May, which was about 9:30 am, it was just plain lousy and not a lot of fun...but Serenity made it a safe passage and we were very happy to be safe and secure in Cape May. Tomorrow the dreaded ride up the Jersey Coast!

Cheers,
Holly, Ed & Emily aboard M/V Serenity
Fair winds and calm seas for all

Holly and I have decided that Annapolis is just about the nicest city we have visited on out trip. This morning we said a sad good bye to Annapolis and started our trip north for the final push towards home. The wind started to pick up and the seas were building as we made our way up the final part of the Chesapeake Bay towards the C&D Canal. We got to the C&D about 11:30 and were all tied at the Marina just past the middle of the C&D Canal by 1:00 pm. Our friend Gerard Trippitelli had recommended this place and while we did not have any problem getting in at high tide, Len was very concern about getting back out in the morning. Len wants an early start tomorrow so we are leaving at 5:30 am. My cousin Linda and her husband Will joined us for dinner this evening. They live in Wilmington, DE and it was great to see then for a little while. We had an early dinner and then it was off to bed for us.

Cheers,
Holly, Ed & Emily aboard M/V Serenity
Fair winds and calm seas for all

I am so happy we decided to lay over another day in Annapolis before we start up the rest of the Chesapeake Bay! The weather today has been cold, windy and rainy all day. I walked Emily this morning before it started to rain and then I waited until midday for a slight break in the weather for her second walk. Then by late afternoon, the rain had stopped and we were able to get out for a nice walk to take care of business…great dog. This evening we went to dinner at Carpaccio’s with Gerard, Len & Michele, Holly & I, for a fantastic dinner. It is great to be back north and get some good Italian food again. Tomorrow we head to the C & D Canal and on Saturday we hope to cruise down the Delaware Bay to Cape May. Hope the weather cooperates!

Cheers,
Holly, Ed & Emily aboard M/V Serenity
Fair winds and calm seas for all