all the secrets of all the oceans. "
Kahlil Gibran
And here we are, our bow gracing a sunrise. Clear weather is ahead and we make way to Cape May, New Jersey....my last port before returning to life normal. This has been a wonderful trip visiting ports I had always wanted to visit. My own sailing on the Chesapeake is usually a day or two and I am appreciative for a 10 day sail like this.
The Delaware Bay is fairly calm. With an outgoing current we are making 9 kt...incredible for a vessel like Liberty. We are making way nicely though I am aware that a changing afternoon tide will create some conflicting currents and rougher waters to deal with (and no more 9 kts!). But this will not be much to deal with. Cape May is about 55 miles. Not too bad and with the rate we are going this morning we should be there by late afternoon.
The Delaware Bay is a shipping channel with freighters and commercial traffic coming and going. We stay clear of this traffic and stay on a relatively straight course to our destination.
I have been to Cape May several times, none by boat other than the transport ferry from Delaware to New Jersey. Cape May is the last port before heading into the Atlantic and John's final destination up the Hudson River where he will bed the boat for the coming Winter.
Upon reaching Cape May, we find a slip at the local marina. Afterward we walk into town for a good lunch and a visit to the local marine supply to pick up needed items to fix the running lights. After our return to Liberty and some detective shakedown of the electrical system we solve the lighting problem and our afternoon is free.
My wife will not be here to pick me up till tomorrow evening so with time to kill I set to walking into town to catch some of the local flavor.....and maybe an ice cream. Cape May is a wonderful place, a real tourist type of place. Victorian houses line the streets lighted by old gas lamps. A step back in time until my distraction is met head on with an ATM machine....pardon me. Back to the here and now.
I visit the beach, bask in the sun , shake the sand from my shoes and continue to walk. I know when I get back home I will have shop work to complete, dogs to walk, a lawn to mow, a truck to fix and a wife I missed terribly. It will be good to be home but I will miss the days on the water and a new port in sight.
Thanks for the adventure John.....
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