Erie Canal to Chesapeake Bay

After leaving Pheonix we crossed Lake Onieda and continued down the remaining locks on the Erie Canal to the Hudson River making overnight stops at free docks at Sylvan Beach, Herkimer, Lock 10 and Waterford. While at Waterford we got together with other cruisers for sundowners and conversations. One of the cruising couples we met in Waterford were Rob and Mary McLeod (Coburg Yacht Club). Al attributes his first understanding of sailing techniques to a TVO tv series Rob did back in the 80's.

Sundowners in Waterford with other cruisers

Foggy morning on the Erie Canal

Al and I completed almost 100 locks this summer and we were glad to get through the last one at Albany. We stopped at Hop-O-Nose Marina in the Catskills to have the mast raised. 

Albany, Capital of New York

Mast Raising at Hop-O-Nose Marina

FDR Bridge from our Anchorage on Hudson River

Back under sail again we headed down the Hudson River to New York City where we anchored behind the Statue of Liberty. The next day we cruised down the East River before turning around and heading out to Sandy Hook where we anchored for the night.

Sailboat Racing in New York Harbour

Anchorage behind Statue of Liberty

Building Boom in NYC

79th Street Boat Basin

Multi-level Driving Range in NYC

View from the East River

In order to take advantage of a short weather window (avoiding possible hurricane effects) we got an early start Monday morning (3 am) for the 110 mile trip offshore from Sandy Hook to Cape May arriving just in time to drop the anchor as the sun set. The weather was calm with just a gentle roll on the seas and, even though a fog rolled in in the afternoon, the trip was relaxing.

Sunrise on the 110 mile Atlantic ocean passage to Cape May

Tuesday morning we caught the rising tide up the Delaware and across the C and D Canal then spent the night anchored in Veazey Cove near the north end of the Chesapeake. Wednesday we got a later start and headed to Baltimore dodging crab pots along the way.

Sunset at our anchorage Veazey Cove

Crabbing on the Chesapeake

Solar Powered Paddle Wheeler Baltimore Anchorage