Saturday Sept 26 - We are sitting on the hook down in the south east end of Sandy Hook (Atlantic Highlands) behind the breakwater waiting for high winds that have been plaguing the coast to abate. We have been here since we arrived last Wednesday! It looks like it will not be until Monday morning before we can make our way down the NJ coast - hopefully making it to Atlantic City that day.  This is the winds expected for 5pm this evening!!

We left Port Washington, NY last Wednesday morning (Sept 23^rd) early to catch the current running in our direction through the East River. It could not have been a more perfect day or a more perfect timing for the run. Our SOG (speed over ground) averaged about 7kts but we saw, at times, 10kts where the current was running particularly strong - such as at Hell Gate! We entered the East River along with a tug/barge (Mr. T) that we were able to pass just after we passed the Throgs Neck bridge.

           Port Washington on Tuesday evening.

   

Mr T pulled to the north and we powered up to pass so we didn't have to follow the whole East River.

As we then passed the UN building we were “surrounded” by nine Coast Guard boats, two NYPD boats, and one Navy boat all armed with guns! The Pope and President Obama were expected at any time so the East River was being protected and then eventually closed down for their arrival – expected at separate times over the course of the next 5 days. This is why we chose to get through the East River, while the getting was good! 

  Protection on the East River!

      The new One World Trade Center!

                        Busy NYC 

New York Harbor was beautiful and busy as usual. We arrived in Sandy Hook at about 1 pm and got Gracie to shore in Atlantic Highlands for our first excursion to town. We walked the beautiful little town with the Botulas and discovered the amenities the town has to offer. It was sunny and hot.

   

       Atlantic Highlands anchorage  (Sandy Hook, NJ)

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