Well we stayed at Barnegat Bay a few more days. The weather was still a little windy. It was coming from the east and that's not good for boaters on the Atlantic. SO we stayed a little longer – three more nights to be exact! Sunday and Monday we hung loose. Mike took care of some things on the boat and I caught up on things. The weather was forecasted to be yucky for at least two more days. SO we all decided to rent a car. We could get one pretty cheap for 24 hours. No wonder – it was a Ford Focus. You barely could get Jeremiah (Jeff and Linda) and us in it! Anyway, we took a ride Monday evening and had dinner at Mud City Crabhouse in Manahawkin, NJ. It was a really cool place. Again it was BYOB, but this time we were more prepared. We brought along our own and sat out on their outside patio while we waited for a table. It took about 45 minutes, but we didn't care. Again we ate too much but it was so good! I had crab one more time! Wonder what I'll start eating when we get to New York?? Anyway, we all had a good time. Went home full and happy.
The next morning the weather didn't look so bad. But we had already rented the car and had plans to do some shopping so we stuck with our plan. The guys dropped Linda and me off at the laundramat while they visited West Marine (again!). After that, we had to take the laundry back to the boats before we went shopping. The Ford Focus has a very small trunk….. Anyway, we then had lunch at Doyle's Pour House – an authentic Irish pub. We only had the car for the rest of the afternoon so we didn't dally too long. Off to Walmart! Now you haven't lived until you visit a New Jersey Walmart!! Unbelievable!! A couple more stops at the liquor stores and we were done. We stopped by Enterprise so they could take us back to the boats. Now, get this – a full trunk – five adults (counting the driver from Enterprise) in a Ford Focus. We were holding 12 packs on our laps and carrying on. The driver was a young kid and I think he really wanted to go with us.
Finally! Wednesday morning we had perfect weather!!! We took off about 7:30 heading back out through the Bay toward the Atlantic. Now you remember the guy that was a little upset with us about his fishing lines on the city dock? Well, he wasn't there but his brother must have been. Again, we get the New Jersey one finger salute along with several choice words. What an attitude! Why he even told us to go back to Missouri! J We didn't even get into his lines! He just didn't want to pull them in. He kept telling us to go out farther but there wasn't enough water to do that. Duh! That's what the bouys are for!! Obviously he doesn't own a boat – that's why he's standing on the dock! Sheeeeh!! Mike was so mad he tried to sound off our big horns (the train ones) but in his frustration, he broke the knob! So he just yelled back at him. Wasn't quite the same. Forgetaboutit!!!
It took us about an hour to get out to the coast. New Jersey is not known for dredging. You really have to watch your depths. Anyway, we made it and off to New York we went! The weather was wonderful. We couldn't have asked for a better day. The seas were calm and the sun was shining. We made good time too! It helps when you have a tide going out with you. Helps push us along a little.
We decided to stop for the evening and drop a hook. Tired of marinas! We wanted to be fresh when we hit the New York Harbor. We anchored out in the Atlantic Highlands area along with Jeremiah. We had to go completely around Sandy Hook and then back down south a little. What a beautiful place to anchor. Plus, there was SweetGrass on anchor! They had been there a day or so and were just killing some time before they went into New York. They had family coming in to stay with them for a week or so. We all had a little happy hour on our boat. Now NautiNell can hold her own! Six people having appetizers and drinks on our sundeck and she wasn't even crowded! We had more fun cussing and discussing everything that had gone on. We could see the Manhattan skyline and watched a beautiful sunset. I couldn't believe that I was sitting on our boat looking at Manhattan and with a full moon, no less! How cool is that!
Till next time!
Admiral "C"
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