Land Ho

At Sea
39 41.48 N 074 02.76 w

Last night Libby saw land for the first time since leaving the Chesapeake. That gives her the right to cry, "LAND HO!" So guess what it was that she first saw? It was the bright bright lights of the casino district in Atlantic City. Right now we are approaching Barnegat Inlet, near Surf City, NJ.

All night long I've been wrestling with the decision for this morning. Should we forge on to New York today, or should we stop overnight in Barnegat Bay?
Here are the factors.

Pro stopping: 1)There are areas of dense fog around northern NJ, 2)Rain and Thunderstorms are forecast for this afternoon and tonight, 3) We would arrive at Sandy Hook (a place we never stopped before) around midnight and against the tide. We would have to get up at 0500 tomorrow morning to catch the flood tide.

Con stopping: 1) I've heard that Barnegat Inlet is safe, but we've never been there and we have no charts that show the entrance. Normally, that's a no-no in my book. 2) The wind is favorable today and tonight but it will turn against us tomorrow. 3) To arrive with the tide tomorrow, we have to wait until 1700 to pass the Verrazano Narrows. That would mean a holiday night arrival at the W79 th Street Marina or another night at anchor at The Statue of Liberty.

All and all, I think we're not going to stop.

Both Libby and slept well last night and feel refreshed. The first day of a sea passage is hell -- good sleep just won't come. Some say it is not until the third day that one finds the rhythm. I'm pleased that we found it on the second day this time.