2018: Rumson to Manasquan Inlet

20 October 2018
Depart: Rumson 11:25 a.m.
Arrive: Hoffman's East Marina 5:05 p.m.
Distance: 39 nm

We spent a lovely five months at our home in New Jersey that included lots of grandchild time. We rushed home in May to help our younger son build a swing set before the birth of their second child. "Jack" decided to arrive a bit early, so we just managed to complete the assembly before he arrived.

Clark with "Jack"

Proud Nana with "Jack" - one day old

In early June our son who lives in Idaho came to visit and brought his family. We had a great time with lots of grandchild time including a splash park outing, a Liberty Science Center trip, hikes and more. We all traveled to Connecticut to visit the new baby.

Boat trip in local Jersey waters

Learning how super balls bounce

Violet at the Liberty Science Center

All four grandchildren in Connecticut

When not playing with grandchildren, Clark worked on the boat and I worked on the house. He made a number of improvements to the boat over the summer while I kept busy doing things like a complete makeover of my sewing room, fixing some sunken pavers, and re-staining the garage doors.

Mid-summer Clark and I took the boat to visit the Thousand Islands. Clark was excited to complete our first international trip in Sunset Delight. The trip details are included in the blog.

In August our younger son came to visit, and we got to spend more time with our new grandson. We visited the beach while they were here.

Lily and Clark swimming in the Atlantic Ocean

Ev and Jack enjoying the beach

In September Evelyn got to spend four days with Jack as his mother returned to work. Clark stayed home and (you guessed it) worked on the boat.

Jack - 3.5 months old

In early October, Evelyn flew to Idaho to visit grandchildren there. Our daughter-in-law keeps everyone busy, so every day held some activity. While there I went with them to the park, took some hikes, visited the botanical gardens Halloween special event, and watched Sierra and Violet enjoy Saturday morning swim classes and fun.

Hiking in Idaho with Jeff, Devon, Sierra, and Violet

As soon as I got home from Idaho, Clark let me know we would be heading out of chilly New Jersey ASAP! I immediately began provisioning the boat with food, clothes, laptops, etc. to set us up for our now annual trek to Florida.

We left late this morning after spending all day yesterday carrying bag after bag of items onto the boat. Finally at 10:00 last night, we moved onto the boat to spend the night before leaving dock. We had quite a bit of discussion between us related to when we should leave as the weather forecast for wave heights seemed a little off-putting for travel either Saturday or Sunday.

Finally, we decided to head out today, stop for fuel, and then poke our noses out into the Atlantic Ocean at Sandy Hook. If we found unreasonable conditions, we would turn around and stay overnight at Sandy Hook. If we found reasonable wave heights, we would continue.

For the most part we did not find the 4 - 6' waves that Clark had heard were possible. If we got a wake from a passing boat, we saw a large wave; otherwise, it was mostly swells in front of the boat. I knew it would have to be quite terrible for us to turn back, so I took all precautions for rough seas, placing items that might fall etc. on the floor, but ultimately, those actions proved unnecessary.

Passing Asbury Park Convention Hall
(note the lack of 6 foot seas)

Arriving at Manasquan Inlet Buoy

Entering the inlet

 When we started out this morning, Clark heard on the VHF radio that the Manasquan Inlet would be closed from noon until 2:30 for a "tug-o-war" event taking place across the inlet. I had no idea what would be on each end of the rope - Clark said it would be teams of people on the beaches. We arrived well after the 2:30 finish time, so the closure was of no consequence to us.

As we came in the inlet, we saw a group of men - all wearing green t-shirts with their names imprinted on the back. They appeared to be coming out of the Riverside Cafe. I guessed that they were members of one of the teams - I wonder if they had been celebrating a great victory at the cafe or bemoaning a loss.

Several folks in green t-shirts outside Riverside Cafe

Looking back towards the inlet / ocean

To take advantage of electrical power, and therefore heat, we made a reservation at Hoffman's marina. We have a "lovely" spot with a much-used railroad track directly behind the boat. Every time a train goes by, the siren sounds for the bridge going down and then the train rumbles by. If we are watching TV, the picture becomes scrambled until the train has passed. I gather it blocks the digital signal.

Railroad bridge directly behind the boat

Sun down coming 

I had planned to clean the panels of the full enclosure before leaving home, but we left in such a hurry that it did not happen. After docking at the marina this afternoon, I grabbed a bucket and sponge and cleaned off a lot of grime. With the sun rapidly dropping, I had little time to get the job done.

Clark has a friend that he used to work with that lives near the marina, Don. Clark called him to let him know that we are in the area, and Don came over to visit and see our boat. After Don left, Clark helped me finish cleaning the panels. It took two of us as I refuse to balance on the 6-inch wide strip along the side of the boat, 15 feet in the air, to reach the outer side of the panels. With the joint effort, our visibility tomorrow will be much improved.

We finished around sunset.

Railroad bridge open