mollydsails

[mollydsails]

Jun 20 - Hard to believe that Molly D has been in her home port for nearly two months. I apologize for not posting sooner, but life has been hectic since we returned. Molly D’s 2024-2025 southern trip was the best ever. David and I had so much fun, made many new friends, reunited with existing friends, had a few new experiences (Mystic Pizza musical at the Riverside Theater), and had the pleasure (!) of traveling the ICW (11 transits!). Molly D has been in her slip in Mystic since our return. We were unable to go to Block Island over Memorial Day and we will miss our annual 4th of July trip to Newport. We do, however, plan to make a couple of trips to Block this summer. Molly D is currently on the hard. This week amazing friends Michael and Kristen helped us with the annual maintenance on Molly D. They cleaned and polished the hull AND painted the bottom. I was allowed to only do the brush work on the hull. So thankful for these two friends! David will complete minor repair work on Molly D before she returns to the water next week. We have enjoyed so many fun times on Molly D and so many memories were made. Due to unfortunate circumstances and with broken hearts, we have put Molly D on the market. While we are wishing for a quick sale, we are also hoping to get a few more sailings in this season. Many thanks to those who have followed our journey over the last few years. We have enjoyed sharing our story and we hope that we have provided you with some entertainment along the way. Although sad to be ending our sailing journeys, David and I are looking forward to new adventures. Love to all.

[mollydsails]

April 24 -

Atlantic Highlands anchorage

NYC is barely visible through the wildfire smoke

81 miles today! Travel time about 10.5 hours. The travel was easy today. Not much wind, light seas and no traffic in our way. There was no wildfire smoke until we neared Sandy Hook. We can barely make out the NYC skyline because of the smoky haze. We anchored in Atlantic Highlands in anticipation of a wind shift bringing rolly conditions to the anchorage at Sandy Hook. Tomorrow will be a challenge. The current going through New York is not favorable at Hell Gate until 3. We will hang out at anchor until 11:30 or so and then head through NYC to catch the current. The late departure will put us into Port Jeff at sunset. I’m ok with that as long as I have enough light to anchor by. Molly D is getting so close to home!!

[mollydsails]

April 23 -

Wildfire smoke in Cape May this morning

Absecon Lighthouse

Notice the force of the current on the buoys

Molly D is anchored just off the Coast Guard Station

Atlantic City skyline as seen from Molly D

Anchored in Atlantic Shitty. We encountered wildfire smoke for about 2 hours before the air got better. The smoke was strong so we wore Covid masks to filter the smoke smell. Our trip north was a bit rolly with light north winds. Part way through the trip, the wind shifted just a bit, making our ride a bit smoother. Molly D is anchored just off the Coast Guard station. We’ve given up on a slip in the Farley State Marina. The staff rarely answers the radio hail. Sometimes we’ve had to phone them to get their attention. The marina is understaffed this time of year, and that is understandable. For whatever reason, the staff nearly always has a surly attitude and their line handling skills need improving (if they show up at all to help). The security gates are always out of order. The laundry room frequently has water on the floor, even without recent rainfall. At times, the electrical post trips without a reason. The marina staff, if you can find them, cant offer much help in the way of restoring power. One year, I walked into the women’s shower/bathroom only to find a male security guard napping (aka sleeping on the job) on the floor. So now you know why we are soured on the marina. Molly D is in a nice anchoring spot and we are fine with that. Tomorrow will be a long travel day north to either Sandy Hook or Atlantic Highlands. For now, David and I have a chance to sit, read, and enjoy the quiet of the anchorage.

[mollydsails]

April 22 - photos

Screw pile lighthouse design

Ego Alley, downtown Annapolis

Tanker passing Molly D on the C&D Canal

The dike at Reedy Island is under water. For once, both channel markers are not broken or missing.

Ship John Shoal lighthouse

Another lighthouse whose name I can’t remember

Pollen streak on the water. We were at least 5 miles offshore.

Cape May Lighthouse

[mollydsails]

April 22 - Ooops! I skipped a day or so. Molly D ended her 3 night stay in Annapolis yesterday. We had a great time, but more importantly, we got to relax a bit one of those days. Yesterday we transited from Annapolis to Reedy Island. Long day. Reedy Island is at the end of the C&D Canal. Molly D was the only boat in the anchorage. So quiet!!!

Today we had a beautiful transit from Reedy Island to Cape May ( New Jersey!!!) The water was flat calm and there was little wind. Once Molly D made the turn to Cape May, we were met with 2-3’ rollers hitting us on the starboard side. Not terrible, but it was a bit barfy. I felt so much better once Molly D entered the Cape May inlet. There were many lighthouses along our route today. Many of them were in need of refurbishing and many of them had the stench of guana wafting from them. Really gross!

So happy to be in a calm anchorage! Our friends from Mystic, Dennis and Sharon are in a marina slip. David and I will dinghy over to their boat in a bit. We have plans to enjoy their company for dinner ashore. Yay!!! No cooking!!’

Photos from Annapolis to Cape May are in the next post.

[mollydsails]

April 18 - Molly D spent the past two nights in Solomons, MD. We managed to squeeze in some relaxation between our chores. On our arrival day, we had a late afternoon snack at The Pier. Always a fun place, as there are usually locals at the bar and their conversations can be entertaining. David and I shared the buffalo chicken dip with nachos. Their drink special was a strawberry rum punch made with rum, coconut rum and strawberry puree. I love mine. David, who doesn’t like coconut and didn’t realize coconut rum was in the drink, hated his. He ditched the rum punch and got a Corona instead.

Strawberry rum punch

Buffalo chicken dip

On Thursday morning, after laundry was done (FREE machines), we took the marina’s courtesy shuttle to Weiss Supermarket. The free bikes were not an option for us, as none of the bikes had a basket. We weren’t going to hang our grocery bags from the handlebars. I was told by the marina office that new bikes, complete with baskets, have been ordered and should be arriving soon. Yay!!!

After lunch, it took David and me about an hour and a half to clean the ICW mustache off Molly D’s hull. We used a great cleaner, but it still took elbow grease to cut through the stain.

The hull before cleaning

Ta Da! The hull after cleaning.

We enjoyed dinner with boating friends at LaVela, an Italian restaurant located at the marina. We met Cindy and Dale last spring at a marina in Hampton, VA. Their home marina is in Solomons. Our timing has been ideal, as we were able to meet up with them this past fall and again this spring. Cindy and Dale will be traveling to our home area this summer and we hope to get the opportunity to see each other once again.

Molly D is bound for Annapolis. Annapolis will be our final shore stop on this winter’s journey. Our final stops, probably Reedy Island, Cape May, Atlantic City, Atlantic Highlands and Port Jefferson, are all anchoring spots. With any luck, Molly D will heat her home marina 6 days after leaving Annapolis on Sunday. 🤞

[mollydsails]

April 16 - Yesterday was a stay at anchor day in Reedville. Strong winds were forecasted and we decided not to put ourselves (and Molly D) through a potentially crappy transit. Guess what?? Today’s wind forecast isnt much better. Whatever. I took advantage of the stay day to give Molly D’s interior a thorough cleaning, and she really needed it! David took care of some Latimer Point dock business.

After a restful yesterday, Molly D is underway to Solomons. Wind will still be blowing but we will have to deal with it. Chilly morning (felt like 36 when we got up). Lots of sun right now so the cockpit will warm up.

We are looking forward to meeting up with boat friends in Solomons. Our friends just returned to Solomons (their home marina) after having travelled to the Bahamas over the winter. We can’t wait to hear about their trip!

When we are in Solomons, David and I will have to clean the ICW mustache from Molly D’s hull. It is really bad this year.

This waterman was heading into Reedville. The cargo on his boat is empty oyster shells. The shells are dumped back into the water to make oyster “reefs” for young oysters to attach themselves to.

Solomons

We see many small tugs like this one. These tugs are usually pushing small barges that may carry sand, dock building equipment and dock building supplies.

Buffalo chicken dip and nachos from The Pier.

[mollydsails]

April 14 - Molly D is anchored in Reedville, VA. Pleasant, uneventful transit day. FINALLY!! This anchorage is serene, picturesque, and has calm water. Tomorrow may be a challenging transit day weather wise. Molly D’s next port of call will be Solomons, MD.

[mollydsails]

April 13 - The days of ICW travel are over for this cruising season. Hallelujah! As expected, close to 10 boats left Coinjock this morning. Many of them were faster boats and passed Molly D along the route. So much radio chatter of boats asking to pass other boats, which is a normal courtesy. This was our second day hearing the same requests from the same boats. Got old really fast. Since the faster boats were ahead of us, Molly D had to share the lock with one other boat. Easy peasy. No one jumping the gun or putzing around upon leaving the lock.

I had charge of the bow line in the lock.

The one other boat in the lock with Molly D

Stern line secured to a cleat on shore

By some miracle, the No. 7 RR bridge was not on a schedule deviation today. The bridge was in the open position until it had to close for a train. We got to the bridge a bit before our estimated time of 2:15. As we rounded the corner and had the bridge in view, we heard an announcement on VHF 13 that the No. 7 RR bridge would now be closing. Ugh! Just our luck! We were waiting for about 10 minutes and no train had arrived. The No. 7 RR bridge is remotely operated by the No. 5 RR bridge. David hailed the operator of the No. 5 bridge and asked how long would it take for the train to arrive at the bridge. He was told 15 minutes. So, that meant we’d have to stand still for at least another 15 minutes. Couldn’t wait to see how long the freight train would be. It was possible that the train could’ve been a mile or so long. Yes, we’ve waited 20 minutes for a very long freight train. Fortunately, the freight train that passed took less than 5 minutes to clear the bridge. After leaving the ICW, it took Molly D an hour and 45 minutes to reach the downtown Hampton Dock. That was ok. We were ICW free!!!!

After docking, David and I gave Molly D a washdown and filled her water tank. Once the hose is restowed, we are heading off the boat and to the Bull Island Brewery for supper.

[mollydsails]

April 13 - In the home stretch into Hampton! Just cleared the Great Bridge Lock. One other boat in the lock with us. What a change from the fall when both sides of the lock were used. The wsyrr level in the lock raised Molly D anout 18”.

It appears that the No. 7 RR bridge is OPEN and closing only for a train. Don’t know the reason for the schedule change but it benefits Molly D so I don’t care!

[mollydsails]

Made Coinjock!!! What a cold and motion filled trip. I might stop swaying tomorrow. Many boats made the same trip as well. We are at the marina restaurant for supper. Bypassing prime rib and trying a couple of menu items. Hamburger steak for me and broiled pollack for David.

The heat is cranking on the Molly D. We won’t be cold tonight!

Tomorrow will be a challenge. We MUST make the No. 7 RR bridge for its last opening, 2:15 to 3:30. We can do it if we are not held up long at opening bridges or the lock. 🤞🤞🤞🤞🤞🤞🤞🤞The reward at the end of the day will be that Molly D is done with the ICW for another season!! That and we will be in Virginia!!!

Snotty crossing of Albemarle Sound

Snug at the Coinjock Marina

Yeah. It’s cold here.

[mollydsails]

April 11 - Molly D left Beaufort this morning. Two nights was just enough time to go grocery shopping, do laundry, walk Front Street a few times, have awesome pizza rolls at Black Sheep, have a delicious meal at Ribeye’s, buy my favorite Pressed Orange olive oil and white balsamic cranberry/pear vinegar and to get breakfast pastries from Cru Wine and Coffee Shop. Busy time! We always love our stopover in Beaufort.

After 9 or so hours of motoring, Molly D is anchored in the Pungo River just south of the Alligator-Pungo Canal. What a long day!!There were two hours or so of a bumpy ride. I lived (thanks to ginger candy)! The bridge on the map is the dreaded Wilkerson Bridge. On nearly every passage through the bridge, Molly D’s antenna twangs on every single beam. I expect that tomorrow will be no different.

Tomorrow’s plan is to leave at 7. After transiting the canal, Molly D will cross the Alligator River into Albemarle Sound. The Albermarle won’t be nice to Molly D tomorrow, so we are hoping to get across most of it before the wind increases and the snot gets snottier Final destination is Coinjock. Molly D is getting closer to home!!!!!

Anchorage south of the Alligator-Pungo Canal

Morning sunrise in Beaufort and in the same sky….

Storm clouds in the opposite direction of the sunrise. We did get the rain!

A privately owned pirate ship. The owner must really like pirates to have spent many dollars on the customization.

A lonely shrimper at the Mayo Seafood Dock. There usually are a half dozen shrimpers docked here. The other boats must be out shrimping.

The tug is pushing a double wide barge. Their cargos are covered so I would assume that the barges are carrying sand.

[mollydsails]

April 8 Photos

This strange looking building is a home. Really.

Now this is a beautiful home.

An old wooden vessel. I’m thinking that it was a type of fishing boat in its former life.

No clue. Looks like a mushroom.

Anchored in Mile Hammock Bay

An Osprey aircraft

Day is done!

[mollydsails]

April 8 -

Carolina Beach to Mile Hammock Bay. Nearly stress-free travel day. Calm wind and no waves on the ICW. There were two opening bridges today. David had to slow our progress so that Molly D could make their scheduled openings with little waiting. There were around 6 boats traveling in a loose pack today and we all ended up in Mile Hammock Bay for the night. The question is, how many of the dozen boats now anchored here will try to get the 7:00 opening of the Onslow Bridge? The bridge is 3.5 miles away so correct timing is essential. From posts that I’ve read, the bridge tender will open at 7. Not before 7, and once the bridge is closed after that opening, the next opening isn’t until between the hours of noon and 1. I am wholeheartedly behind the upgrading of bridges along the ICW, but what a nightmare for marine traffic! If one is not attuned to current bridge schedules, you are not going to be a happy boater.

The overnight temps will not be nice—47 at 7

AM. Brrrr! Not ready for the cold. I know; I am spoiled. Looking forward to arriving in Beaufort, even if it means getting up at 5.

Photos on next post.

[mollydsails]

April 7 - Myrtle Beach to Carolina Beach. Molly D is in North Carolina!!! Another state closer to home! Challenging transit day. It was WINDY. As in 20ish gusting to 40. Crossing the Cape Fear River was windier than expected. There were following seas so Molly D wasn’t plowing through the seas. Still windy in the Carolina Beach mooring field, with gusts over 20. Grabbing the mooring pennant was easy. Hauling the slimy line up and holding onto it while David grabbed the line near the thimble so that our own line could be threaded through was the really hard part. Molly D’s 32000 pounds were no match for the wind and the wind won. The pennant ended up back in the water. The third attempt was successful. We got smarter about where on the deck to put our line to make a quick attachment through the thimble. Words were said. Luckily, David and I know the same words!

Photos from today’s travel.

A shrimp boat

Tourist boats. These boats speed ridiculously fast on the ICW and give passengers a thrill ride by zigzagging and turning donuts.

Typical of damaged docks along the ICW. No money to repair or remove them.

A fleet of shrimp boats

Anchoring location in Carolina Beac

View from the mooring field.

[mollydsails]

April 6 - Butler Island to Myrtle Beach. Pleasant trip. Some shallows (as always). It was Sunday so there were “Olympics” on the ICW. I did not check the bridge table before we pulled anchor but should have. The Barefoot Landing Swing Bridge was on a modified (and not on demand) schedule due to bridge maintenance. The bridge would open at 9, 11, 2, 4 and 6. I called the bridge tender after 11. We were so lucky that our timing would put us at the bridge at 2!! If we had to wait until the opening at 4, we probably would’ve had to pay the nearby marina for 2 hours dockage, if they would even do that. Glad we didn’t have to find out!

Because of an unfavorable wind forecast, Molly D did not anchor in her usual anchorage at Bird Island. We attempted that spot last year during unfavorable winds. The anchorage was so snotty that we had to seek out another anchoring spot. That spot was less than ideal, as it was at the edge of the ICW channel. David secured a slip for Molly D at the Myrtle Beach Yacht Club. Excellent choice! We had no sooner had all our dock lines secured when a woman who lives at the marina asked if we needed a ride anywhere for provisions. She had a car and was willing to drive us. Aww! How sweet! The marina had an onsite restaurant. The menu looked promising, but when we looked at the menu of the nearby Chophouse restaurant, we decided on the Chophouse. A bit pricy but oh so good! We wanted to patronize the host marina, so David and I enjoyed a light snack and beverage while overlooking the swimming pool. Great stop and if we needed to bail out of anchoring at Bird Island, we definitely would return.

Here are a few photos from the day’s travel.

This is not a house boat. The stern lettering identifies it as a South Carolina School Boat

One of several marinas along the ICW

An osprey nest atop a channel marker

A stilt house in the woods and adjacent to the ICW

Notice the high tide line on the tree trunks

A water slide park/marina

A replica lighthouse at the entrance to the Myrtle Beach Yacht Club

View from the marina restaurant

View looking towards the ICW entrance

[mollydsails]

April 5 - Molly D has moved north of Charleston.

Molly D has anchored behind Butler Island. Where is that you say? Hell if I know! I do know it is on the Waccamaw River north of Georgetown, SC. Here are some photos from today’s travel.

So long Charleston! Molly D will visit you again soon.

This is the Ravenel Bridge that spans the Cooper River between Mt Pleasant and Charleston. Today was the Cooper River 10k Road Race. I know the photo isn’t the best, but if you zoom in, you can almost see the thousands of runners on the 8 lane bridge.

Ben Sawyer swing bridge. There’s bridge had a malfunction as we approached it. After a short time the malfunction was cleared and the bridge tender was given the OK to open

Abandoned house boat

A research vessel? There’s bridge two tubes on the stern might suction the bottom mud/sand to look for “goodies”

Molly D passed this fishing vessel at a tight corner on the ICW

Mariners are cautioned about the floating swing bridge that lies ahead

Floating swing bridge

Anchoring location behind Butler Island

View to Butler Island.