Days Events:

Post-hurricane comments from Admiral -

Thanks to everyone that followed us yesterday. It was a long stressful day and knowing you were there was comforting. Even when we thought the big event was over another round of heavy wind would hit us. And from a different direction! We are grateful it wasn't worse. We newbies are easily stressed. And the creme de la creme for the day was having our bow resting in the mud at low tide.😝

Rating for Summertime Shrimp Scampi: really good for a one pan meal. Shrimp, corn, grape tomatoes, garlic +a few seasonings, and some wine of course . Good bread is the only needed addition. I'd make it again.

Now, from the Captain:

Didn't realize how stressful & fatiguing it was until woke up this morning, after an unrestful 2nd night!

It would appear we were well prepared, except for that one stern line - a lesson well learned. Watched a lot of other boats being quickly tended to yesterday during the storm - extra lines being added, a sail that couldn't be controlled, a bimini top that blew off but was left hanging on by one corner, etc. All in all, considering our 'newbie' status, we managed well - but will not be in a position to ever do it again we decided.

Took down the extra lines yesterday, leaving us with our usual fore & aft spring lines, bow and stern lines. Put the bimini top back today and will let the lines completely dry out.

The Admiral is a truly talented cook - her rating for the Shrimp Scampi should be more than 'really good'. Bit spicey for my digestive tract, which sometimes responds inappropriately the next day, but today has been [so far] fine; so she promised to reduce the amount of red pepper flakes next time.

Maintenance:

Fresh water pump - still leaking a bit! After observation, is from the strainer cover again; not from the fittings. Removed, cleaned/wiped, tightened, and now appears ok. Seems to be related to the pumps vibration each time it kicks on. Tightened the mounting screws through the rubber mounts [to allow for and reduce vibration] - not too much, because would negate the purpose of the rubber mounts! Will monitor.

Bimini top - needs a 'twist-lock' on the radar arch to hold the canvas in place; they are used along with the 'snap-buttons' usually seen, but are more reliable about holding the bimini in place - checked the great Ship Store but they were out of that specific type; they could get for me tomorrow, but, alas, we will be gone.

Humor - from Torontonian friend Dave, a couple of nostalgic jokes by 1960's vintage standup comedians:

"I just got back from a pleasure trip. I took my mother-in-law to the airport"!

"I've been in love with the same woman for 52 years. If my wife finds out, she'll kill me!"

Travel Plans - we decided to take the off-shore route to Atlantic City tomorrow; it is 43 miles [instead of 55] and avoids all the shallow areas, the possible post-storm debris, and 5 drawbridges; so will have a <5 hr trip vs 6-7hr; only angst may be waves, but the forecast suggests 2-3ft on our stern/stbd quarter with the winds NE at 4-7mph; the waves are the biggest concern but since they are principally swells and are low and will be pushing us along and have a 'period' of 8-10 sec [the time from one wave peak to the next], we should be ok - all this is based on what others have advised us, who have done these trips multiple times. If we don't like it as soon as we exit the Cape May Inlet into the open Atlantic, we can immediately turn around and go back up the ICW.

That's all for today.

Thanks again for everyone's supporting comments yesterday.

Stay safe.

Bonus: The wind and rain were powerful enough to wash the spider and bird poop off the boat.😁. Don't need to wash it down.

Comments:

Ernie R - 6 Aug 2020: What! No more hurricanes?! Glad to see going outside and can make really big wake all day! I will take a few waves everyday over some shallow spots! Marg, when is your cruising cook book going to be available! Be safe!

Jerry - 6 Aug 2020: The swells in the Atlantic are much safer than the waves in the sounds and bays: they are actually quite nice and certainly a welcome change. Outside is the way to go; however, entering inlets can be tricky as you will discover on Lake Michigan and may have found on the Atlantic in South Florida.

Robert & Margaret - 6 Aug 2020 | 17:20 Jerry, your experience is indeed reassuring and we are planning to leave now just after lunch when the last major TSM will be finishing here.