Oops...Captain changed his mind...we leave here shortly for a 20 mile run to Beach Haven...cheap gas, grocery store and that much closer to NYC....

Trump Marina is a trip. Definitely our most expensive stopping point. We are use to paying by the foot...we started on the rivers at $1 per foot, then in Florida we saw $2 and $2.50. Trump quoted us $4....we heard another boater say he was paying $3...so we protested and got that rate. Docks are nice...but not that nice. It seems very empty. The casino is just up the plank. We saw no one winning. Restaurants were less than desirable or more than a little pricey. We ended up at their Hooter's for burgers. Our night ended with drinks, cigars and tall stories on the aft deck. Wednesday's forecast is for showers and clouds...we are brain dead and ready for a down day. So double that money...we are staying another day.

Tuesday ...Tuesday...the day we conquered the New Jersey IntraCoastal Waterway...the channel of skinny waters...both in width and depth...currents...tide direction shifts every time you approach and past the various ocean inlets. Of course, we also had a windy day...the 72 degrees felt more like 52. I was a nervous wreck, reading charts and giving depth locations. Captain Floyd was in his element...pitting skill and knowledge against what the waterway threw at him. We left the Cape May Marina right on schedule at O'dark thirty and managed to run soft aground an hour into the voyage. While I was ready to head back to Cape May, I kept quiet (no easy feat for me)...the Captain exercised patience by letting the wind and rising tide work for us. Michelle ducked inside for warmth and security in that rather tense moment. Fisherman in the area all stopped to watch...and poof, we were off and trying to navigate again. Though it was touch and go, Floyd finally found a way around the sand bar. Other than low bridges that were just suddenly there, miles of no wake zones and a strange engine vibration, we arrived in Atlantic City around 3:00. More about Trump Marina and that vibration to follow!

Most of you know that the Captain refuses to eat anything cooked and green...some of us have even experienced him returning a plate of food at a restaurant when they forgot to remove said vegetables before serving. Well, last night was a first...Michelle and I conspired on the recent grocery outing to purchase asparagus. My dad would be proud of the ones we picked...ever so thin!!! We have listened to complaints since then about this green *&%$ in the refrigerator...And then last night, I prepared them in just a little EVOO and salt then grilled them just a bit. He vowed to eat one....then asked for more...and then even more. The "mom" me was thrilled to have him eating veggies....the "other" me sort of regretted having to share my asparagus. Either way it was a kodak moment!

They say this Loop is about the people you meet....we would have to add that it is also about the FOOD along the way. And I have neglected to mention Muriel's AMAZING CARROT CAKE...I'm not sure what spurred her but suddenly on Monday (June 7) we were debating how and who would transport said cake on the multiple trains as we made our way back to Pennsylvania. So, yes, in addition to navigating with luggage, Michelle, etc, we oh-so-tenderly carried a tote bag of homemade carrot cake....AND ARE WE EVER SO GLAD WE DID!!! Muriel assured us it would taste even better for having waited a couple of days....it truly has been grand! Oh, gotta stop now...it is Sunday...so guess what???? Cake for breakfast!!!!

Spent most of the afternoon on Saturday at Fort Delaware...a short walk and then short ferry ride away from marina. Weather was pleasantly warm and the facility was full of re-enactment soldiers and workers. What a fun experience! Tomorrow we head to Cape May for a couple of days then on to New York City!!!! Michelle and I are ready for shopping and shows!!!!

Our evening meal on Friday was AMAZING...Crabby Dick's is just a short walk to the end of the channel....we can recommend the hot crab and spinach dip, crab cakes, and the shrimp and crab pasta....Michelle ventured out to try the sauteed soft shell crabs...she probably won't do that again but it sure was fun...hehehe. And, of course, we bought a t-shirt.