We’ve both agreed, this is probably Fritz’s first and last long cruise. Twice each day we take the dinghy down and go to shore just for him.  It’s really not his fault when the dinghy won’t start, and Dennis pulls so many times he wears blisters on his hands.  Most of the time it starts right up, but last night it took 4 rounds of swearing, yanking, throttling, choking and unchoking before it finally gave in to his relentless persistence and purred, although when we got to shore it was kept running so not to get stranded.  It’s one more telltale sign that sitting in a marina makes your cruising skin thin.  Anyway, someone will get the pleasure of Fritz’s “every day is the happiest day of my life,” sunny disposition next year when we head for the Bahamas. 

Although it had been a hot and sticky 95 degree afternoon, the evening breezes cooled us down, ferry waves subsided, and even without air conditioning it was a comfortable night. 

This morning the alarm was set for 4:45, but we were still sitting in the Sandy Hook anchorage at 7:00.  Even though we were anxious to be on our way, with the sound of thunder boomers in the distance and a severe thunderstorm warning in effect, we thought it most prudent to stay a while longer.  Cruising began at 7:20 and ended 82 miles later in Atlantic City, in a little over eleven hours, a very pleasant run.  To begin, the wind was SW at 8-10mph and we were able to have the sails up for about half the trip. When it changed Southward we first rolled in the genny then eventually the main began to flop so we lost it too.    

On the ocean the temperature really was quite comfortable; in fact I wore a jacket most of day because the breeze was a little cool.  When we turned into Absecon Inlet, the oppressive heat off Atlantic City concrete, at least 15 degrees warmer than earlier, along with biting green flies greeted us.  Unlike yesterday, anchoring presented no challenge and we hooked securely the first time even in the current off the fixed bridge. 

It already feels cooler, the flies have retreated to their nighttime hideaways, dinner of spaghetti and salad dishes are done, time to relax, watch the sunset, listen to the music from the Golden Nugget just off our port and thank the good Lord for another day of safe passage.