Home Port at Last!

Wednesday, July 15, 2015

After celebrating with our friends at Waterford we went our separate ways. Jim and Peg were headed out the Erie Canal and we set our destination for the Champlain Canal and Lake Champlain. The first day we went through six locks along the Hudson River and we were the only boat transiting through. It was a bit windy but we had no problems at all since we are seasoned pros after all the various locks on the Loop.
We stopped at Ft. Edward in NY, took a nice walk and learned that we would be treated to a concert in the park later. The gazebo was near our boat and we had a ringside seat for the home town band that played marches and traditional music. There was even a baritone vocalist for a couple of songs - what a lovely evening!

A crowd gathered on the green at the end of the day

Captain’s Log July 15, 2015

Departed: Waterford Town Docks, Waterford, NY 7:15 am.

Engine hours: 7.5 hrs. – 793.7 total for trip
Actual hours: 7 hrs 35 mins
Miles covered 37.68 - Total for trip: 5811
Arrived: Fort Edwards Town Wall, Fort Edwards, NY at 2:50 pm.
Weather: Low clouds, light rain, North wind, cool. Gradually clr and cool, north wind 15-20.
Departed Waterford to be at Champlain Lock 1 at 0800.  Lock through 6 locks and went 38 miles to Fort Edwards. We had no delays and no company at any of the locks. We were against the current all day, but no other issues.  

Thursday, July 16, 2015

More locks and we reached Whitehall where we went through number 12 - the last lock of this trip!

 

A fawn swam across in front of us in the canal - but no
sign of it's mother

Captain’s Log Thursday, July 16, 2015

Departed: Fort Edward Town Wall at 07:45 am.
Engine hours: 4.5 hrs /total on trip 798.2
Actual Hours: 4 hours 30 minutes
Miles covered: 24.87 total for trip 5836 
Arrived: Whitehall Marina, Whitehall, NY at 12:30 pm.
Weather: Sunny and cool, north wind 10-15
Coordinated with Lock 7 so we wouldn’t have any delay for a lock through at 8am. This went quite well. Locked the rest of the way through the Champlain Canal with no delays or any other boats coming through with us.  Uneventful cruise through to Whitehall Marina at Lock 12, Whitehall, NY.
                                                        
Friday July 17, 2015

It was a beautiful start to the day except for some fog. We were ready to leave at 5:30 but the fog was getting thicker and the waterway at the south end of the lake is narrow and sometimes shallow so we waited until 7:00.
We were reminded about how beautiful our home territory is as we cruised up on the glassy water.

 

In the early hours of the morning we looked back on that last lock
in Whitehall as fog misted up from the water



Beautiful southern end of Lake Champlain as the fog lifts

The wind picked up as we went north but it was from the south so it gave us a little push. We had planned to stop halfway and stay at Kingsland Bay, but the forecast was for higher winds the next morning so we decided to push and go all the way to Malletts Bay and our home marina.  

Serenity approaches Champlain Marina   Photo by Laura W.



John is an expert now at backing the boat       Photo by Laura W.

Back in our home slip and celebrating with our faithful mascot
Christopher Croaker       Photo by Laura W.

We did it! We are back in Vermont where we started one year, a month and 17 days ago! There was a small group of boating friends to meet us and we were very glad to be back. What a trip! Everyone asks us if we would do it again. We don't plan to do the whole loop but there were many places that we would like to revisit...maybe someday...

Many, many thanks to our boat neighbors, Doug and Laura

The neighboring boat Warren Peace had a big "Welcome Home Serenity Now" sign, complete with colorful balloons attached. Doug and Laura went above and beyond in making us feel very special: bringing out champagne and appetizers and then treating us to an al fresco steak dinner cooked on the marina grill.

 

Captain’s Log July 17, 2015

Departed: Whitehall, NY at 07:00 am
Engine hours: 10.4 – 808.6 hrs total for trip
Actual hours: 10 hrs 30 min.
Miles covered 84.3 mi Total for trip: 5920
Arrived: Champlain Marina, Colchester, VT “Homeport” at 5:30 pm.
Wx: Calm, foggy then cleared off. South wind gradually increased to 15 – 20 at end of the day.  2-3 ft swells.

Had to wait for fog to lift at Whitehall before we departed. Still got underway by 7 am, very nice cruise through southern Lake Champlain. Winds gradually increased as forecasted but they were a following sea so no issues. Very nice and warm greeting by all our dock friends at home port. Total engine hours for trip 808.6. Total Statute miles were 5920. Total diesel used was 2348 gals. 

 

Completion of our Great Loop Trip!

Hudson River North and Completing our Loop

Saturday, Sunday, July 11 - 12, 2015

We made the short run from Rondout Creek in Kingston to the Saugerties Powerboat Association on the Esopus River where John’s brother David keeps a boat. His wife, Linda, dropped him off in Kingston and he rode up with us on Serenity. He was a wonderful tour guide because he knows this section of the river very well.

David and John enjoying a beautiful day on the Hudson River
from the upper helm

 

The Esopus Lighthouse is now used as a bed and breakfast
and can only be reached at high tide

Dave and Linda were wonderful hosts who kept us fed, entertained with bridge games and even cooled off in their backyard pool. 

Linda and Dave with some weird photo bomber in the background

Linda and Kathy teaching Christopher Croaker how to play bridge

Captain’s Log July 11, 2015

Departed: Kingston City Docks, Rondout Creek, NY 9:05 am.

Engine hours: 1.8 hrs. – 778.5 total for trip
Actual hours: 1 hrs 30 mins
Miles covered 12.47 - Total for trip: 571.8
Arrived: Saugerties Power Boat Assoc., Saugerties, NY at 10:35 am.
Weather: Clr, low 70s, calm winds.
Cruised from Kingston to Saugerties to move up to marina where brother Dave keeps his boat.  Dave rode with us and gave us a guided tour of the Hudson River as we proceeded north.  It was a very smooth and nice day for this ride

Monday, July 13, 2015

The fog was lifting as we left a little later than usual for the short trip up to Coeymans Landing. We topped off with fuel and had a pump out for the last push back to the Champlain Canal and Vermont.

 

Hudson River lighthouse on water like glass

Captain’s Log July 13, 2015

Departed: Saugerties Power Boat docks at 08:15 am.
Engine hours: 4 hrs /total on trip 7782.5
Actual Hours: 4 hours 15 minutes

Miles covered: 31.44 total for trip 5750 
Arrived: Coeymans Landing Marina, Coeymans Landing, NY 12:30 pm
Weather: Foggy and humid, temps middle 70s. Winds calm.  Fog burned off by 9:30
Very smooth and uneventful cruise up river for 31 miles. No problems experienced. Had a 1.5 to 2 knot current pushing us on our way.  Nice.


Tuesday, July 14, 2015

What we will remember from this day is that we had a great cruise through Albany, managed get to the to the Federal Lock in Troy just in time to transit through for a smooth ride up and we "crossed our wake" from a year ago when we came down the Champlain Canal to start our loop trip. 

Putting on the Gold Burgee at Waterford

John was beside himself with excitement!

Serenity had her difficulties but she did it!

Still meeting more Loopers - new friends Francois and Kathy H. joined us
on the upper helm along with Peg Healy

Many thanks to Jim and Peg Healy and their grandson Trevor
for leading the way and greeting us at Waterford and taking pictures!

 

Crossing our wake announcement to the AGLCA:

MV Serenity and her crew, John and Kathy Scott, announce that we have crossed our wake in Waterford, NY, at 11:22 am today, July 14, 2015. We left 409 days ago from our home port, Champlain Marina, on Lake Champlain in Vermont. During this trip we spent 5 weeks at our home in Florida over Christmas and then Serenity and crew went on to Key West for the month of February. We have learned and experienced so much on this adventure and have met many, many wonderful people. We burned 2318 gals of diesel fuel and covered 5774 statute miles.  

Some of the most valuable points we learned are: always make a plan so when the changes have to be made you have a plan to change, don’t ever take your boat to where the birds are walking, and Loopers always look out for each other.
Many thanks to the AGLCA staff and all the others who provided us the valuable information needed to make the trip go as smooth as possible. Thanks and warmest regards to all those who traveled with us, your friendship and, of course, the camaraderie at docktails helped to make our trip most enjoyable. We now proudly fly the Gold Burgee.

Tomorrow - on to our home port of Champlain Marina to see old friends and family. What a trip!

Captain’s Log July 14 2015

Departed: Coeymans Landing Marina, NY at 07:45 am
Engine hours: 3.7 – 786.2 hrs total for trip Actual hours: 3 hrs 37 min.
Miles covered 23.7 Total for trip: 5774
Arrived: Waterford Town Docks, Waterford, NY at 11:22 am.
Wx: Cloudy, temp in the 70s to low 80s, humid, wind south 5-10.

Left Coeymans for short cruise to Waterford, where we crossed our wake. As we approached Troy Federal lock we rejoined with Jim & Peg on Sanctuary. No issues on this cruise

 

Cape May, NJ and on to NY



Sunday, July 05, 2015

This may have been our earliest departure yet. We were up at 5 (actually, the captain was up at 4) and the engines were warming up by 5:15. Lines were loosened, cast off and we were underway at 5:29 following Sanctuary out of the channel into the Delaware River.

The harbormaster, Tim, even came down to see us off. He had given us a weather briefing for two days in a row. The first day didn’t look good – it was border line and could get worse. The reputation for Delaware Bay is well known to be very rough, especially with winds coming in off the ocean. We heard the word “fetch” several times. As any experienced mariner knows, this is not referring to the common meaning, as in, “Rover, fetch the stick.” This use is about the distance winds or waves travel over open water: the greater the fetch, the bigger the wave and the rougher the ride. In the words of one friend on the trip, “Those waves are coming all the way from Africa!”

This day the forecast was nearly ideal and we had a very good crossing. The experienced captain on Sanctuary, Jim Healy, said it was the smoothest he had ever seen it!

 

We left so early we had to use our running lights as did this cargo ship
at anchor in the Delaware River

 

Sunrise over calm water, Delaware River

 

Ship John Shoal lighthouse in Delaware Bay

 It was still Fourth of July weekend and when we entered the canal at Cape May there were lots of boaters out and enjoying the sunny day. After settling in at the Marina we took a walk on the island - lots of traffic - and then we went out for dinner at Lucky Bones Backwater Grille - very good!

Captain’s Log July 5, 2015

Departed: Delaware City Marina, DE  5:30 am.

Engine hours: 7.4 hrs. – 760.1 total for trip
Actual hours: 7 hrs 20 mins
Miles covered 60.13 - Total for trip: 5453
Arrived: Utsch’s Marina, Cape May, NJ 12:50 pm.
Weather: Clr, low 70’s, calm winds, gradual warming to low 80’s. Remained clear all day and wind increased SSE 5-10 by the time we arrived at destination.
Early departure to take advantage tidal currents and low wind forecast for the a.m. as we cross the Delaware River/Bay.  We were successful, winds picked up a bit just as we were clearing the Bay and going into the Cape May Canal. Very nice cruise and all is going well on the boat, traveled with Sanctuary.

Monday, July 6

Yet another early morning as we rendezvoused with our fearless leaders on Sanctuary who had anchored nearby in the bay. Today we went out on the Atlantic Ocean to make the run up to Atlantic City. We hadn't really felt the roll of the ocean and it was a new experience.

 

Sanctuary, a Monk 36, led the way

 Four hours later we neared Atlantic City and decided to come off the big water at Absecon Channel and go up the ICW for a few hours to Beach Haven Island, NJ.

 

Casinos at Atlantic City

Old Absecon Lighthouse, Atlantic City, NJ

The waters were still full of vacationing boaters, either fishing or racing past us. When we got to the marina we walked with Peg and Jim across the island to the beach. It was a lovely warm and sunny afternoon and on the way back we stopped for dinner at Buckalew's Restaurant and Tavern.

We loved the Jersey Shore - it looks deserted but there were lots
of beach goers there - especially in the lifeguard protected areas

Captain’s Log July 6, 2015

Departed: Utsch’s Marina, Cape May, NJ  at 0515 a.m.
Engine hours: 8.1 hrs /total on trip 768.1
Actual Hours: 7 hours 50 minutes

Miles covered: 62.5 total for trip 5515 
Arrived: Beach Haven Yacht Club, Beach Haven, NJ at 1:05 pm
Weather: Mostly cloudy, temp low 70s then rising, wind east 5-10 then 10-15
Went outside from Cape May to Atlantic City then went inside and up the ICW to Beach Haven Yacht Club at Beach Haven, NJ.  Seas were south east quartering on our Stbd stern.  2-3 ft 9 secs apart.  A rolly ride but doable. Traveled with Sanctuary.
Tuesday, July 7, 2015

We left later this morning to give the tide some time to rise. After conferring about the weather we decided to put in a long day and run all the way up to Sandy Hook, NJ. We still had about 4 hours left to complete the NJ ICW and then we went out the Manasquan Inlet. That was an experience! With the tide coming in through the narrow causeway the waves were high and close. We hung on for dear life as we made our way through.

 

It was a breezy day - good for parasailing along the ICW

 

The water had calmed down, but Serenity rocked and rolled
on the Atlantic         photo by Jim H.

 Captain’s Log July 7, 2015

Departed: Departed Beach Haven, NJ at 1015 am
Engine hours: 10.1 – 778.2 hrs total for trip
Actual hours: 9 hrs 55 min.
Miles covered 77.21 Total for trip: 5592
Arrived: Sandy Hook Anchorage, NJ, NY outer bay 8:20 pm.
Wx: Clear to scattered, temp warm 75 degrees and muggy. South winds 10-15 gust to 20. Departed at 10:15 am due to tide levels. Went inside on ICW to Manasquan Inlet then outside to NY Harbor. Winds were ok on the ICW but as we went out the inlet due to the narrow inlet and incoming tide had several very steep 8-9’ waves direct on the bow. This lasted for about 1 minute, then they settled down a bit to 4-5’ before we were able to turn north. From there the seas were following seas 2-3’ occasions 4-5’ but short spacing of 4-6 seconds.  Ride was doable but a little uncomfortable.  Finally got in behind Sandy Hook and drop the anchor.  Crew was tired, had a good drink and went to bed in prep for an early departure to cross NY City Harbor in the morning. Traveled with Sanctuary.

Wednesday, July 8

It was almost dark by the time we had anchored and we were up at first light to be on our way. After about an hour we were entering New York Harbor and it was busy. It was a very smoggy and overcast day so the visibility wasn't very good but we managed to get a few photos. Peg and Jim on Sanctuary had been through this area many times before so we opted to follow them.

Sanctuary in front as we approached the Verrazano Narrows Bridge

Lady Liberty - a very welcoming sight for anyone entering the harbor

 

The carrier Intrepid is now a museum - the commercial plane
to the left is the one Sully Sullenberger landed in the Hudson

The Palisades along the western shore of the Hudson went on for miles

Lighthouse at Sleepy Hollow just north of the
 Tappan Zee Bridge

Captain’s Log Wedesday July 8, 2015

Departed: Sandy Hook Anchorage, NJ at 5:25 a.m.
Engine hours: 8.6 hrs. – 786.8 total for trip
Actual hours: 7 hours 25 minutes
Miles covered 54.79 - Total for trip: 5580
Arrived: Half Moon Bay Marina, Crotan on the Hudson, NY at 1:50 p.m.
Wx: Hazy warm, later scattered showers, winds SW 10 – 15. Had 1-2’ following seas as we came across NY outer and inner harbor.  Once on the Hudson the following seas stayed with us but duration between the waves increased so ride was somewhat pitching but much better than last couple of days.  Had a lot of wakes from the ferry boat traffic as we came across the inner harbor.  Traveled with Sanctuary.
Friday, July 9

Friday was another long day, mostly  because the tidal current was not in our favor and we plodded along. It was also rainy at the start so, unfortunately, we had very low visibility on one of the most beautiful stretches of water on the whole trip.



US Military Academy at West Point

West Point gymnasium - the roof reads "Beat Air Force" and the other
side reads "Sink Navy"

Esopus Meadows Light House - 1871

Old lighthouse at Rondout Creek

John has two brothers and a sister who live in this area and we were invited to dinner at his brother Peter's home. We had a great visit and got to see our grown nieces and nephew and meet two brand new baby girls - our grand nieces, Lillian and Sarah! 



First things first. We had to go to Dermot Mulroney's Irish Pub to
toast our successful journey with Jim and Peg.

John and his brother Peter having a serious discussion after dinner

Niece Jessica with her nephew, Luke, and John's sister, Claudia

Luke with his mother, Hilary, and her new baby girl, Lillian, held by her
sister-in-law, Rachel, who also just had a baby girl in May

Captain’s Log July 9, 2015

Departed: Half Moon Bay at 7:55 a.m.
Engine hours: 7.9 hrs. / 776.7 total for trip
Actual hours: 7 hr. 35 min
Miles covered 55.88 / Total for trip: 5706
Arrived: Kingston, NY City Docks at Rondout Creek, at 3:30 pm.
Wx: Visibility 1-2 miles on departure and scattered rain showers. Ran against the current the entire distance which made a long day.  No issues with boat. Traveled with Sanctuary.

 

Bohemia Bay and Delaware City

Thursday, July 2, 2015

Serenity and crew left Rock Hall, MD under gray skies and encountered light rain as we entered Chesapeake Bay. The winds were light so we cruised right along and even passed a barge.

Our destination was Bohemia Bay Yacht Harbor where gold Loopers Foster and Susan keep their boat, Quo Vadimus. Foster was out at the end of the jetty to wave us in – a very welcoming sight. He later drove us several miles into town so John could pick up two new batteries.

Serenity was tied up in a nice covered slip -
Quo Vadimus has the bright kayaks

Foster and John at our upper helm - must be 5 o'clock

Captain’s Log July 2, 2015

Departed: Rock Hall Landing, Rock Hall, MD 6:00 am.

Engine hours: 5.6 hrs. – 749.5 total for trip
Actual hours: 5 hrs 20 mins
Miles covered 44.25 - Total for trip: 5366
Arrived: Bohemia Bay Yacht Harbor 11:20 am.
Weather: Hazy, rain showers, temps in the low 70’s. Winds initially SE at 5 then northerly at 5-10, on arrival winds were light and variable.

Prior to departure isolated #2 battery bank and voltmeters worked normally. Replaced #2 battery bank when we arrived at Bohemia Yacht Bay with the help of Foster Shucker on Quo Vadimus. Checked with engines running and all seems ok.    

 
Friday, July 3 - Saturday, July 4, 2015

We took our time leaving in the morning because we just had a short way to go to Delaware City. Foster saw us off and it was a hazy but calm day out on the water as we left Chesapeake Bay and entered the C & D canal which connected the waterway to the Delaware river. We were now in Delaware - another state milestone on our homeward journey!

 

A heron on top of the Bohemia Bay sign - a good omen as we leave

A small ferry to Fort Delaware on the nearby island enters the channel
which is the same one we entered to the marina

 

Foster and Susan drove over  to meet us and we all had dinner at
Crabby Dick's

 

Clinton Street is where most of the businesses are in Delaware City

Foster and Susan told us that there was a boat due in the next day named Sanctuary and we had met the crew at the MTOA rendezvous in Daytona Beach. Since we were staying an extra day due to winds out on Delaware Bay we were glad to see them when they pulled in.



On Saturday, Sanctuary arrived with Jim and Peg aboard

 

Captain’s Log July 3 , 2015

Departed: Bohemia Bay Yacht Basin, Chesapeake, MD at 8:00 a.m.
Engine hours: 3.2 hrs /total on trip 752.7
Actual Hours: 3 hrs 20 minutes

Miles covered: 27.19 total for trip 5393 
Arrived: Delaware City Marina, Delaware City, DE at 11:15 am
Weather: Clear, temps in 70s, gradually warmed to 80 or so. East wind 5-10.
Very nice cruise along the C&D Canal to Delaware City. No problems with the boat all seems to be well.  Got a pump out on arrival.   
                                                          

Happy Fourth of July from Delaware City Marina - it was
a very low key day for us