We left Cape May on Wed 26th of June, at 8:15 AM headed for Atlantic City. As soon as we reached the inlet, the waves picked up. They were a good 3-4 ft and coming at us from the Starboard Bow. I knew as soon as we turned North that things would get better. It took us a while to get to the outer channel marker so we could turn. Reaching the marker, I engaged the Autopilot to put us on a course for Atlantic City.
Wrong thing to do!! The boat was being bounced around so much that the Autopilot was confused. It took a hard left as it was supposed to, but kept in a hard left turn. We made a couple of 360 degree turns to the left with me trying to disengage it. It wouldn’t shut off or disengage, nor would it let me steer. I finally shut off the power to all of the systems and it at least let me drive! I turned everything back on with the last thing being the Autopilot and it all worked as advertised. Just a momentary glitch caused by the wave action I guess. We never had another problem with it.
The waves were now coming from the stern, a little from the starboard side and were not too bad so we continued on. Mostly swells with a period of 6-7 seconds.
A rather uneventful day for the rest of the trip. There was an airshow going on over Atlantic City with some controlled space under the airshow, but we were arriving outside the box. Another exciting entry into an inlet. The waves were pretty good size but would have been much better if God hadn’t invented SeaRays and Sport Fishers. They always seem to be in a hurry with no regard as to their wake. Maybe some day I will get the chance to “wake” one real good.
Atlantic City skyline where air show was being observed
Pier from board walk Atlantic side
Lighthouse at inlet
I had called ahead and reserved a spot at the Atlantic City Aquarium. It is a city run dock with reasonable rates. With the airshow going on, the casino marinas were getting well over $4 per foot for a slip. I thought about anchoring but the good anchorage was being partially blocked by a dredge still cleaning up after hurricane Sandy.
We received free admission to the aquarium and access to rest rooms, but that is about all.
There was a “jitney” bus stop about a block away, so we caught it and took a trip to the Atlantic City Boardwalk.
This statue at the jitney stop was donated to the people of Atlantic city By Trump Marina Hotel Casino Harrah’s Casino Hotel
It had been a short day only 40 miles, so we arrived early at around 1:30. That gave us some time to sightsee.
Trump is big in Atlantic City. To access the beach you have to enter through his casino
The pier from the boardwalk had some challenging rides, like the sling shot with the 2 high poles.
Atlantic City Beach
Sandy left its wake on the board walk
Plenty of shops, casinos and eateries.
Atlantic City Coast Guard Station
Atlantic City after dark
The weather report showed that the seas were going to get worse for about a week and we wanted to spend some time with Matt and Coleen in Tom’s River. That meant that we definitely needed to leave Thursday morning and continue north.
To get to Tom’s River we needed to enter at Barnegat Inlet, the entrance to Barnegat Bay. It can be a pretty treacherous inlet especially since the channel markings may not all be correct due to the hurricane. Even during perfect conditions the cross current coming in the inlet can be confusing. So, Matt and Coleen came out in their trawler, Gemini Dream, and led us back to their Yacht Club on Tom’s River. Thank’s a bunch Matt and Coleen!!!
Matt and Coleen in Gemini Dream greeting us at the inlet
Leading us through Barnegat Inlet
Coleen, Matt, Cindy and I
Coleen had served up one of here “sucky boat food” meals just for us. Homemade spaghetti sauce, fresh baked bread and herbed butter with a fresh greens tossed grape salad. Chocolate ginger mousse for dessert.
The next day they took us for a tour of the Jersey Shore to see the devastation Sandy left behind. Rebuilding is still in progress.
Sandy had dumped the wall of sand across the length of the shore
Sandys’ aftermath is present everywhere
The leaning garage and the sink hole under the grey house are common sights
The fireplace is the only thing left of this house.
The board walk is still active for businesses that have reopened. Construction will be ongoing for quite some time.
Seaside Park is the place where the sitcom “Jersey Shore” was filmed. The house was not damaged and can be rented for $1800 a night for parties.
That evening we had a seafood feast! Lobsters for the entree. Steamers for starters followed by crabs, caught by Coleen and Matt's friends Pete and June. Creamy coleslaw as a side with Crème Brule as our dessert.
Another delicious meal, seared lamb chops in a wine reduction glaze with garlic mashed potatoes and baked julienned squash and carrots. For dessert, chocolate avocado pudding.
We spent a week there at the Yacht Club and used the time to take a couple of bus trips into NYC. The express bus only took an hour and a half to get to the city and dropped us off on 42nd street close to almost everything we wanted to see.
The Washington tunnel going under the Hudson River
We visited the Intrepid Aircraft Carrier
While waiting for the tour to open, the rain came and pretty much soaked us for the rest of the day.
My favorite airplane. Only the Air Force versions of course F4D, F4E, RF4C
Flight Deck
View of the Empire State Building from the aircraft carrier flight deck
Aft end of the ship with a fragment from the World Trade Center and dedication plaque
Concord
The USS Growler sub
We walked down 42nd street until we hit Times Square.
Hundreds of tourists come to see Times Square. The blue painted surface is safe for pedestrians to roam without traffic.
At this end of the square are the ticket booths for the shows. Military go to the front of the line. How cool is that! Stand here long enough and you will see “Naked People”. It says so on their underoos.
The “Naked Cowboy”
The “Naked Cowgirl”
And the “Naked Indian Chief”
The lower cafe patio, you can see the umbrellas, is flooded and converted to an ice rink for the winter months. At the upper end is where the Christmas Tree is placed.
Rockefeller Plaza
NBC news corner
Madame Tussaud’s House of wax
Justin stands outside to bring in the guests
Saw the Broadway Show “Jersey Boys” which was fan freeking tastic. Fifth row from the stage. Half price tickets for the matinee show was absolutely awesome!
Would see it again just to listen to the music.
St. Patrick's Cathedral was under repairs but still beautiful. We lit a candle and said a blessing.
We strolled along 5th avenue passed Cartier, Versace and Gant
At Sacks and Company I had to go in. First floor is the cosmetic department. I tried a perfume sample and asked the concierge for a complementary gift bag, which she gave with a smile thank you very much.
We had a late lunch at Bubba Gumps and on the way back to the bus terminal stopped at Juniors for some authentic New York cheesecake, to go.
Our last time past the square to the bus station was at 4:43 pm. Overall our New York experience was very pleasant. They will talk your leg off once you start a conversation. Very helpful when you ask a question. I wouldn’t want to drive my car here though.
We stayed in Tom’s River for the Fourth of July. We would have rather seen the fireworks in NYC, but the ocean wasn’t cooperating. Besides, we were expecting mail and it evidently had been delayed by the Holiday.
July 4, BBQ was served at the Yacht club. We all sat by our boat on the dock to watch the fireworks display.
All the boats anchored out for the show had their anchor lights on.
Larry, Cindy, me ,Matt, Coleen, Bobby and Pat
Our last day at Toms River we spent back at the Jersey Shore boardwalk with additional friends of Matt and Coleen. This time we sampled all the local dishes. Jersey style Philly steak sandwich, slice of pizza from the Saw Mill, funnel cake with chocolate chip sprinkles and an orange vanilla twist cone. Lets not forget the Zepolles and salt water taffy.
The roller coaster remains have been removed from the beach but not forgotten. Their motto for surviving Sandy “Stronger than the Storm”
The first good day we had for travel on the outside was July 6th. Our mail had arrived on the 5th and we said goodby to Matt and Coleen and went across the river to a quiet anchorage and spent the night. Thank you so much for being such gracious hosts!
We left early Saturday morning. We still had a couple of hours to go before we could reach the ocean at Manasquan Inlet. It was closer than the Barnegat Inlet that we had come in a few days before. It was also a little more forgiving and it was in the right direction- North.
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