DELAWARE - NEW JERSEY - NEW YORK

Ahoy⚓️

We have enjoyed an absolutely beautiful weather window the last few days 😊. Traveling from Chesapeake City, MD all the way to Staten Island, NY. Most Loopers stage (have to wait) in Delaware City, DE to make the long (about 90 mile) trip down the Delaware River to Cape May, NJ. Well.....we got lucky 🍀 and decided to skip Delaware City and head directly from Chesapeake City to Cape May. 

Cape May is a historic picturesque town on the southern tip of New Jersey, where the Delaware River meets the Atlantic Ocean. It is one of our country’s oldest vacation resort destinations. The town has a year round population of about 3,500 and swells to over 50,000 in the summer months. The entire town of Cape May is designated a National Historic District due its concentration of Victorian Buildings. Cape May was awarded a top 10 beach destination by The Travel Channel in 2008. 

Cape May’s Congress Hall, was built in 1816. It is recognized as the United States oldest seaside resort. Reenie has many fond memories ♥️ of visiting Cape May and (sometimes) staying at Congress Hall, while volunteering for the United States Surf Lifesaving Association.

Atlantic City was our next port stop. Atlantic City is known for its many casinos, wide beach and iconic Boardwalk. The City was originally built in the 1800’s as a health resort (FYI: We didn’t see too many health conscious visitors...🤪). Today Atlantic City is dotted with glitzy high-rise hotels, ubiquitous gambling and night clubs. The famous Boardwalk was originally built in 1870 along the beach in an effort to help hotel owners keep sand out of their lobbies. Another piece of history we enjoyed learning, was that the original Monopoly board game was based on the Streets of Atlantic City (Hope this helps your Jeopardy score someday)! I know you are wondering......🧐? ....Yes, we played Blackjack for an hour or so...and actually won our slip fee 💰. 

One night in Atlantic City was fun, but enough....😝. The following morning we pushed off the dock headed to the Manasquan Inlet. The Inlet is notorious for extremely strong currents and dangerous docking conditions. Boaters need to plan carefully to arrive at a slack tide. We planned and replanned ...everything was great at Hoffman’s Marina, we were very happy for the experienced Dockhands assistance. The town of Manasquan has a gorgeous beach and voted one of the best places to live in New Jersey. 

The next morning we couldn’t leave the dock until the slack tide @ 11am. It was another perfect day to travel along the 130 mile Jersey Shore 🏖 🌊☀️. We continued north about 30 miles and turned to port after Sandy Hook and dock at Great Hills Yacht Club on Staten Island.

Stanton Island is the third largest, least populated and wealthiest of the New York City boroughs. It’s name comes from early Dutch settlers. They purchased the Island in 1630 and named it after “Staten-General”, the highest governing body in their home country. We have really enjoyed our three nights at the Yacht Club. John our Harbor Host has been wonderful here “ON” Staten Island (Trying to speak like a local)...People live “ON” Staten Island and “IN” Manhattan (an easy way to spot an out of towner😉?). Everyone seems to be Italian here on Staten Island, including lots of great Italian restaurants and markets😋. It’s actually almost like being in a foreign country...a few times we had ask someone to please speak a little slower? 

Staten Island was home to the worlds largest landfill (dump). It closed in 2001 and is scheduled to open as a park in 2019. Staten Island is also the hometown of three Jersey Shore TV 📺 stars ⭐️. The show is known for its crazy on screen antics....after being here for four days we feel like Staten Island Life is basically a continuous Reality TV Show (and we are whole heartedly enjoying every monument 😀).

Looper Tip: Great Kills Yacht Club is a must stop.

We are going to sleep tonight with mixed emotions (excitement, pleasure, sadness, happiness, pride, anticipation, love, joy, gratitude)......Weather permitting we will head to The Statue of Liberty 🗽 next and “Cross Our Wake”, finishing The Great American Loop❗️

❌Marks our port stops.

Cape May, NJ

Atlantic City, NJ 

Manasquan, NJ

Staten Island, NY 

Bridges of The C & D Canal.

The Delaware River.

Yes, 59 this morning ( a jacket and a 😎).

Our first night in Cape May @ Utschs Marina. 

Cape May Beach. 

Yes, you are required  to purchase a Beach Tag.

Lots of colorful commercial fishing boats in Cape May Harbor. 

Our second night in Cape May @ South Jersey Shore Marina. 

Victorian Homes of Cape May.

Congress Hall.   

Exterior and interior of Congress Hall.

Homes in Cape May Harbor. 

Wildwood Amusement Park.

Thistle♥️ 

Farley State Marina at the Golden Nugget.

The Boardwalk. 

Checking the tides to enter/exit the Manasquan Inlet. 

Hoffman's Marina and the dangerous railroad bridge. 

Another heat wave☀️100 degrees today! 

Taking a dip in the Hoffman Marina Pool.

The Jersey Shoreline is alive with bait fish everywhere.

Manasquan is a popular fishing destination.

The Jersey Shore.

Sandy Hook.

Staten Island. 

Great Kills Yacht Club. 

Captain Greg with Harbor Host John.

Blue Crabs on our dock.

Staten Island bike ride to the beach. 

Great Kills Beach Park. 

Frank and Sal Italian Market 🇮🇹. 

We rode the Staten Island Train (free) to Lee’s Tavern.

White Clam 🍕 Pizza 😋. 

Good night from Staten Island 😘❌⭕️.

MARYLAND - CHESAPEAKE BAY (Part 3)

And... SNAP ✅ Our month in California ended way too fast!

Some of the highlights were: Visiting family in Arcata, Carlsbad and Del Mar, Pageant of the Masters Music, Bridge, Spa Days, Music in the Park, Girls Dinner, Old Guys Lifeguard Reunion, Spin Class, Date Night, TK Pot Luck, Visiting Friends, Tommy’s HH, SB Wine Weekend, Fluffer Get Together, Gardening, Mexican Food and the list goes on and on....If we didn’t get a chance to see you no worries, we plan to be back in California this October, with extra time and more Great American Loop stories to share 🙂.

We flew back to Baltimore on August 18th, arriving back to Thistle in the wee hours of the morning. She looks great and we are thrilled to be back aboard. After a month away, the weather is noticeably cooler, but still lots of rain in the weather forecast. It looks like we will have a few days to explore Baltimore before there is a decent weather window to continue up the Chesapeake Bay. 

Think about this 🤔...When was the last time you heard or read good stories about Baltimore?....That’s what we thought, Not too often ⁉️

We want to let y’all know that Baltimore has been one of our favorite stops on the Loop! Friendly peeps, easy bike/walk trails around the harbor, wonderful restaurants, lots of unique museums, great history, art everywhere, we felt safe the entire time (Well, maybe not our 2 am airport cab ride 🤪) and Anchorage Marina was fantastic. 

Baltimore was founded in 1729, and is the largest city in Maryland. It has a long history as an important seaport. It is the birthplace of our National Anthem, “The Star Spangled Banner”. During the War of 1812 Frances Scott Key wrote the tune that later became the National Anthem. Baltimore has a few nick names “B’More” (For locals). It has hundreds of identified districts, and is dubbed the “City of Neighborhoods”. In the early 1970’s Baltimore’s Inner Harbor was neglected, full of empty warehouses and abundant crime, it’s other nickname “Charm City” came from advertisers seeking to improve the City of Baltimore’s reputation. The Inner Harbor today is a vibrant happening area full of locals and tourists, it is recognized as one of the largest and most successful redevelopment project in the country. Some famous people are from Baltimore: Edgar Allen Poe, Billie Holiday and Babe Ruth (To name a few). After three enjoyable days exploring Baltimore we had a good weather window to push off the dock and continue our Great American Loop Adventure. 

Looper Tip: Anchorage Marina was a perfect place to dock Thistle safely for a month. We had a great monthly rate and BWI was an easy 25 minute UBER or Cab ride. We Highly Recommend ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️.

We traveled up the Chesapeake Bay to Havre De Grace. Havre De Grace is situated on the mouth the of the Susquehanna River and the head of the Chesapeake Bay. It is named after the city of Le Havre, France. During the Revolutionary War, General Lafayette (a War hero), visited the town several times (Then named Harmers). He commented that the area reminded him of the French seaport Le Havre. The towns residents were inspired and and incorporated the town in 1785 as Havre De Grace. In 1789 George Washington stayed here on his way to his first inauguration. During the first Congress in 1789, Havre De Grace missed by only one vote being named the Capitol of the United States. From 1912 to the 1950’s Havre De Grace was known as “The Graw” a gangster and gambler hangout. Al Capone was reported to stay at the towns historic Chesapeake Hotel. The City was honored as one of America’s top 20 best small towns to visit in 2014 by Smithsonian Magazine. 

The next day we headed to Chesapeake City. We exited the Chesapeake Bay (loved our time on the Bay ♥️ Thank You ) and entered The Chesapeake & Delaware Canal (C & D Canal). The Canal is notorious for its strong currents and challenging docking situations. We planned accordingly, and arrived at the Chesapeake Inn during slack tide. The Inn didn’t take take dock reservations (first come first served), we got lucky 🍀 and were assigned the last slip for the night! It’s a charming old town with a population less than 1,000. 

It was nice to take a month break from Loop Life...but...after a week back aboard Thistle, we know it’s it’s our happy place ⚓️🇺🇸♥️🙂. 

😍

The many neighborhoods of Baltimore.

We were the Red Star near Fells Point. 

Thistle on the dock at Anchorage Marina.
More Rain☔️.

The Pendry Hotel is an prime example of the “Charm City”.

It was an old delapadated waterfront warehouse (Before) and today (After) is a spectacular hotel.

Art in the Pendry.

More art in the Pendry.

“O Say Can You See...”

The Baltimore Harbor is challenged with runoff storm debris.

There are numerous Professors Trash Wheels strategically placed around the Harbor.

The American Visionary Art Museum.

Reenie’s favorite museum.  

😜

Famous Lighthouse and Coast Guard Cutter in Baltimore’s Inner Harbor.

Dinner in the “ Little Italy” Neighborhood. 

Sightseeing in Baltimore.

Cobblestone Streets (difficult on a bike).
Brick Sidewalks.
Escher like flooring in the Pendry Bar (tricky to negotiate after a glass of 🍷 wine?).

All Smiles 😊😊to be back on the Loop.

MV Redhead (owned by the Active Captain creator) was at Anchorage Marina.

We had to dodge huge tree trunks exiting the Harbor.    

Our final port stops on the Chesapeake Bay (yellow line). 

Baltimore 

Havre De Grace

Chesapeake City 

Muddy water (from all of the rain) on the Chesapeake Bay.

Log Pond Marina in Havre De Grace. 

Beautiful homes on the Main Street. 

Susquehanna National Wildlife Refuge in Havre De Grace. 

Breakfast at an old school diner. 

Lighthouse.

Thistle docked at Log Pond Marina.

The water cleared up after two days of no rain 👍. 

Beautiful homes and farms along the waterfront. 

The C & D Canal.

It is a 14 mile long, 450 foot wide and 35 feet deep,

man-made Canal connecting The Chesapeake Bay and Delaware River. 

Chesapeake City Inn docks. 

Yes, pink lighting 🎀. 

Great dinner @ Prime. 

The Inn was on this month’s cover of Chesapeake Magazine 💖.