Day 4 Lady Liberty to Sandy Hook NJ

Today was easy motoring.  We left by 7pm in order to catch the tides and glided down easy.  Carrie took the wheel for half of the trip while John rested and Michael and I worked.  We got one of the last mooring balls available at Atlantic Highlands Marina and made haste getting off the boat for real coffee, laundry, provision shopping, and glorious hot showers!  Then back to the boat to prep for storms before a lovely dinner at On The Deck followed by dessert at Nichol’s Creamery.

Since we had limited boating adventures today I thought I would share a great adventure prepping story. The summer before our great East Coast sailing adventure Carrie, John and I (Crissie) decided to practice managing a boat on the Ocean.  Also referred to as bluewater boating.  We had many adventures and mishaps and I wanted to write about a few.  This is one of those stories from the Summer of 2021:

Our first time out on the center console Carrie and John were itching to fish. In the past I have always enjoyed fishing with John because he never catches anything. I sit and read and enjoy the waves while he casts endlessly with limited results so I am not forced to watch the poor fish struggle nor prepare any fish for dinner.

Barely leaving our dock in Old Lyme, CT they were pulling out their rods.  John dropped both lines in the water and in just moments they started going crazy. Carrie grabbed her rod and caught this huge sea robin fish. These fish are gorgeous in the water but soooo ugly when out of the water.  It’s as if the water provides the grandest filter you could ever imagine.

After that, they weren’t quite so lucky.  Carrie literally caught the ocean floor several times.  The first time this happened we thought she caught Jaws but she was just stuck. John caught 17 mollusks. How?! They don’t even have mouths!

With their terrible experience, John decided they needed new tackle. The next time we went out they were ready for action!  They claimed we would be eating fresh fish for dinner and fought over who would reel in the biggest catch.  Admittedly, their enthusiasm got me worried that they might actually have success.

Carrie made one cast after the other tirelessly hunting for a fish that she could never quite hook.  John caught the smallest little robin fish you have ever seen in your life. It was embarrassing.  After a full day of moving from one spot to the other and casting until their arms ached, this fearless duo finally gave up. As they reeled in their lines with their heads bowed John noticed something strange.  Did he ‘forget’ to take the plastic cover off of Carrie’s new hook?! No wonder her numerous nibbles resulted in no dinner!

Luckily Dad’s Restaurant in Niantic, CT serves all night and no one starved!

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