Journey of “Courage” – Part 2

Saturday September 13, 2014

Weather: Rainy, Chilly, Windy
Port: Liberty Landing, Jersey City, NJ

A VISIT TO NEW YORK AND THE 911 MEMORIAL

Rain was expected so we decided to abandon ship and take the ferry to New York City. Liberty Island is right across the Hudson River from the World Financial District and the Twin Tower site. This is why our view of the twin beams of light was so magnificent. The three of us – yes Archie too – took a short ferry ride to NYC. A short walk brought us to the 911 Memorial. It is a true emotional experience. If that was the only thing we saw in NY today it was well worth it.

We then (or I should say I) decided to walk from the Memorial to Rockefeller Center. A mere 4 mile walk. I have to say we did not succeed. We gave up after about a mile and decided to get a cup of coffee and hail a cab. Prefect timing! Just as we got in the cab it started raining. We decided to stay in the cab and take a tour of the city. We had a great time in NYC. Archie was a true champ walking the streets of NYC. He walked, took a ferry ride and a cab ride and was perfect.

Our friend Jim Garegnani came to pick us up so we could spend the night with him at his home in New Jersey. It was a needed break from boat life, a trip to the grocery store, laundry, a home cooked meal and a bed that doesn’t sway. Another great day! One more day in NY. Back on the water Monday.

Sunday September 14, 2014

Weather: Mostly Sunny, Low 70s Started our day in Clinton, NJ

A TOUR OF MANHATTAN BY WATER

It was a lovely day. We spent the night at Jim’s house in NJ and headed back to the boat at Noon. We circumnavigated the island of Manhattan by water. A great way to see NYC – no traffic! We took the East River to the Harlem River to the Hudson River. A nice relaxing day. When we returned we prepared to boat so we could leave early Monday morning to continue our journey south. Hope you enjoy today’s travelogue.

Due to the rough sea we have lost two days. Tomorrow to make up for lost time we are planning to head out on the open ocean along the NJ coast, arriving at Cape May, NJ. This is a 125 mile trip. We promise to travel safe! So off to bed so we can get an early start.

Monday September 15, 2014

Weather: Sunny. Low 70s
Departure: 08:30 from Jersey City, NJ
Destination: Cape May, NJ
Actual Destination: We made it!
Marina: South Jersey Marina 10 out of 10.
Marina Notes: Good location, restaurants available, quaint town. Excellent bathhouse. Good amenities. Arrival: 14:30
Distance traveled: 125 Nautical Miles

ON OUR WAY TO CAPE MAY

It was a great day. The seas were kind to us. We traveled from Liberty Island, NJ to Cape May, NJ. We were out at sea traveling the NJ shore line. The first part of the trip the seas were 1-2 feet and then pretty flat from Atlantic City into Cape May. At the recommendation of Kevin, a new friend we met in NYC we are staying at South Jersey Marina. Great suggestion! It was a rather uneventful day and for this we are thankful. We are planning another long day tomorrow. Another 125 miles to Annapolis, MD. We will travel the Delaware Bay to the C&D Canal to the headwaters of the Chesapeake Bay. Kevin lives in Annapolis and has connections so he has secured free dockage for us in Annapolis. This is great in that Courage will be docked there for three nights. We will stay with Jerry Garegnani for these nights. Kris returns to St. Louis on Thursday and Jerry is continuing the journey with George.

Tuesday September 16, 2014

Weather: Raining in the morning. Clearing as we proceeded. Low 70s Departure: 09:00 from Cape May, NJ
Destination: Annapolis, MD
Actual Destination: We made it!

Marina: Free dockage!
Arrival: 16:30
Distance traveled: 125 Nautical Miles

GOTTA MAKE IT TO ANNAPOLIS TODAY!

We woke to rain! But no rest for the weary today. We had to make time to Annapolis. Often the seas lay down in the rain and that’s what we were hoping for today. Luckily the seas were not bad and the skies proceeded to clear as we headed to Annapolis. Today’s journey took us from Cape May to Annapolis via the Delaware Bay to the C&D Canal which connects to the headwaters of the Chesapeake Bay.

We stopped for lunch at the Chesapeake Inn on the C&D Canal. We wanted to stretch our legs and let the Admiral take a potty break. Then back on the boat for the final 50 miles to Annapolis. We arrived safe and sound. Our friends Jerry and Cindy Garegnani were there to meet us. Jerry jumped right in as the new first mate. He and Captain George cleaned the boat as old first mate Kris prepared to disembark. We are staying with Jerry and Cindy a few days and Kris is coming home on Thursday. (Someone has to pay the bills – literally!) Jerry and George will leave Friday morning to continue the trip south. We are going to get a personal guided tour of Washington DC Wednesday. Admiral Archie is going to go to doggie day camp!

We’ve had some interesting questions about the trip. Here are a few questions from Kevin and Nancy:

Q: Where does Archie poop and pee?

A: We go into port every day and spend the night in a marina. And we only travel 3-6 hours at a time. He can hold it that long!

Q: Is the name of the boat Lucky Dog or Jackie B?
A: Neither! The boat is currently named Jackie B but will soon be Courage (upon arrival in Key West). Lucky Dog was another Hinckley that just happened to be a boat at the marina in Portsmouth. It was a photo op I couldn’t pass up.

Q: Is Kris the first mate or the captain?

A: Captain of course! No first mate.

Q: How far off the coast do you go?

A: Almost always in sight of land. Always within 10 miles. As we traveled down the NJ coast we hugged the shore 2-3 miles out.

Q: Does Archie drive the boat?

A: Admiral Archie has turned over the piloting to Captain George!

Keep sending your questions!

Wednesday September 17, 2014

Weather: Sunny 70s
Port: Jerry and Cindy Garegnani’s house in Herndon, VA

OFF TO SEE WASHINGTON, DC

After a very comfortable night at Jerry and Cindy’s we dropped Archie off at Dogtopia for the day and headed off to Washington, DC. Jerry and Cindy are excellent tour guides. We started off by visiting the memorials; World War II, Korean War and the Vietnam Memorial. Amazing. We also visited the Lincoln, FDR and MLK memorials. The National Mall view is as impressive as you think. We then headed to the museums; National Air and Space, National Museum of Natural History and the National Museum of American History. Cindy and I were very interested in the Hope Diamond and all the gems at the Natural History museum! The boys not so much! The highlight of the American History museum was the original American Flag. Another OMG moment! Breathtaking. You can check it out at: http://amhistory.si.edu/starspangledbanner/. There was also exhibits that featured First Lady Dresses, Julia Child’s kitchen and the Ruby Slippers. It was a great day. We definitely will come back to visit Jerry and Cindy and see more of DC!

Thursday September 18, 2014

Port: Herndon, VA

CHANGE OF CREW!

Kris left today to return to St. Louis to attend to Trainwreck matters. Captain George and his new first mate, Jerry, set out to provision and explore the Air and Space Museum at Dulles Airport. This is where they keep the big planes! The attached pictures show the Concorde, the Space Shuttle, a Lockheed Blackbird and the Enola Gay.

A little Wikipedia history: The Enola Gay is a Boeing B-29 Superfortress bomber, named for Enola Gay Tibbets, the mother of the pilot, Colonel Paul Tibbets, who selected the aircraft while it was still on the assembly line. On 6 August 1945, during the final stages of World War II, it became the first aircraft to drop an atomic bomb. The bomb, code- named “Little Boy”, was targeted at the city of Hiroshima, Japan, and caused unprecedented destruction. Enola Gay participated in the second atomic attack as the weather reconnaissance aircraft for the primary target of Kokura. Clouds and drifting smoke resulted in Nagasaki being bombed instead.

The Captain and his crew (Admiral Archie and First Mate Jerry) returned to the boat Thursday evening to spend the night and get an early start Friday morning.

Friday September 19, 2014

Weather: Cloudy 70’s
Departure: 08:30 from Annapolis Destination: Norfolk, VA and beyond Actual Destination: Chesapeake, VA Marina: Atlantic Yacht Basin Marina Arrival: 17:00
Distance traveled: 150 Nautical Miles

The day started early. The crew set out from Annapolis, MD to navigate the Chesapeake Bay. The seas were flat so they were able to travel at 25 knots. It was smooth sailing until they reached Hampton Roads just outside Norfolk, VA where it got a bit choppy.

Norfolk is located at the core of the Hampton Roads metropolitan area, named for the large natural harbor of the same name located at the mouth of Chesapeake Bay. The city has a long history as a strategic military and transportation point. The largest Navy base in the world, Naval Station Norfolk, is located in Norfolk along with one of NATO’s two Strategic Command headquarters.

After leaving Norfolk the crew continued on into the ICW to Chesapeake, VA. Where they encountered the one and only lock and the Coast Guard. Courage was boarded but passed inspection. Safe harbor was found at the Atlantic Yacht Basin Marina. Captain George reported that Admiral Archie had a good days on the high seas!

Look to our next Log Journal from “Courage”.