And so we begin the final leg of our trip to our home port of Boston Harbor where My Diva will begin a transformation into Live Wire. To the crew that brought her from Florida to Boston she will be forever known as "The Diva." The vessel that needed caressing, cajoling and constant pampering to keep her in line. But she has proudly lived up to the Hatteras reputation and has proved to be a seaworthy and sound vessel. She rides low in the water and handled everything the North Atlantic tested her with and delivered us with ease, safely to our home port. It has been a trip of a lifetime and as mother nature does, time will cloud out things such as the holding tank being full, leaking rudder and cutlass bearings, leaky windows and all the little things and nuisances that kept us occupied while bringing her home.
And as we pull into the dock the Captain will speak into the radio one last time--This is the motor vessel My Diva standing by on channel one six. Over and out.
Overheard on My Diva ...
Brian: "☺"
Bruce: "We're gaining on it."
Jen: "Take me for a boat ride!"
Don: "How YOU doin'?"
Brian: "Yeah, I can fix that! ☺"
Bruce: "Don't fix it if it ain't broke!"
Jen: "Don taught me some Italian, ready? 'Ey! How YOU doin'?'"
Don: "Foggetaboudit!"
Brian: "We've been Hans-ed."
Bruce: "We're gaining on it."
Jen: "Take me for a boat ride!"
Don: "How YOU doin'?"
Brian: "Yeah, I can fix that! ☺"
Bruce: "Don't fix it if it ain't broke!"
Jen: "Don taught me some Italian, ready? 'Ey! How YOU doin'?'"
Don: "Foggetaboudit!"
Brian: "We've been Hans-ed."
Saturday, June 4 - What did you do today? (video)
Oh, we left NY Harbor and traveled to Port Judith, RI. On the way we discovered where My Diva's seals might need some attention. The good news is they are only leaks and, this is a boat after all. Let's just say we had lots of "good news" today. I'm just glad the washer and dryer work so we can wash all the towels. :)
NYC skyline at dawn from our bow
Brooklyn Bridge in panorama
Brooklyn Bridge
My Diva leaves Brooklyn
This is how you baste a boat. Actually, this is how you bail a window on a boat that is leaking when in 3-4' seas with gusting winds.
Motion sickness warning - watch at your own risk. We were in some *fun* seas yesterday! As I mentioned above, Brian now knows where he needs to pay first attention, once she drys out a bit.
Splash!
Swordfisherman's equivalent to a mounted rack at Point Judith, RI
For Donnie's Bella Skye ♥
Saturday, June 4 - My sharp edges hurt (aka "boating aerobics"), NYC and more pictures
I've just discovered I can curl my knees in as I climb a ladder. Anyone significantly bigger than me would have an immediate understanding of the need to recognize where your body ends and where immovable objects begin. It's a new concept for me. Ends and pointy parts hurt from getting bounced off walls that are moving when the human body isn't. Shoulders, neck and feet are all achy from bracing without realizing it. Bruce and his friends call it "boating aerobics." All in all, it makes me giggle.
Yesterday we landed in New York City at Liberty Landing Marina after a windy day at sea which ripped the tops off the waves, sending the spray cascading over the top of the flybridge. (Captain Don has a way with words!) We took a great tour through New York Harbor, enjoying the skyline and Lady Liberty in her afternoon glory. We docked near 5 and initially had planned to visit Ground Zero on Saturday morning but at the last minute decided to go into the city on Friday night so Saturday we could shove right off. Dinner was abandoned mid-prep (and I discovered a new way to pound out chicken - with a hunk of 2x4, some plastic bags and a 22 ounce claw hammer!) and we took a water taxi to Lower Manhattan. Ground Zero now has a new building begun on it. Bruce said it just looks like a city construction site now but he could still feel the ghosts. That pretty much summed it up. Dinner was very late last night but I think we all enjoyed the side-trip.
Saturday began CHILLY with another MacGyver fix. The floor upon which the port side engine's battery sits had given way at some point. Rather than have this GIANT battery repeatedly slam against the hull, Brian "made a board" and now the battery has a place to rest until we get to Chelsea!
Yesterday we landed in New York City at Liberty Landing Marina after a windy day at sea which ripped the tops off the waves, sending the spray cascading over the top of the flybridge. (Captain Don has a way with words!) We took a great tour through New York Harbor, enjoying the skyline and Lady Liberty in her afternoon glory. We docked near 5 and initially had planned to visit Ground Zero on Saturday morning but at the last minute decided to go into the city on Friday night so Saturday we could shove right off. Dinner was abandoned mid-prep (and I discovered a new way to pound out chicken - with a hunk of 2x4, some plastic bags and a 22 ounce claw hammer!) and we took a water taxi to Lower Manhattan. Ground Zero now has a new building begun on it. Bruce said it just looks like a city construction site now but he could still feel the ghosts. That pretty much summed it up. Dinner was very late last night but I think we all enjoyed the side-trip.
Saturday began CHILLY with another MacGyver fix. The floor upon which the port side engine's battery sits had given way at some point. Rather than have this GIANT battery repeatedly slam against the hull, Brian "made a board" and now the battery has a place to rest until we get to Chelsea!
Sunrise in New Jersey
Peek-a-boo Diva!
The Silver Lining. She also was docked somewhere in NJ, spoke with us when they were 20 miles behind us then passed us as we entered NY harbor. She might be faster, but she's thirstier too (and not nearly as well laid out, in my opinion!) Still nice to be traveling with a "friend."
Seventh largest span bridge in the world - the Veranzzano Bridge in the entrance to the NY Harbor.
New York, New York!
A lady and her peeps.
Having fun with the panorama feature on my phone
The new World Trade Tower building
The new World Trade Tower
Panorama looking at the construction of the new World Trade Tower. I've forgotten which World Trade building we were in but we could overlook the construction from about three floors up.
I believe this is Building One of the World Trade Center. Like a razor going straight up.
Sunset at Liberty Landing Marina
The view from our bow at sunset
The new World Trade Center building is the brightest building in the picture.
MacGyver Brian made a board. The battery weighs a ton and it had fallen through the floor. In rolling seas, it's bad to repeatedly bang this baby on the hull.
Captain Brain and First Mate Bruce preparing to shove off!
Anyone want to buy a bridge? I hear there's one for sale in Brooklyn.
Brooklyn Bridge
Buh-bye, NY!
My Diva under the Brooklyn Bridge, Captain Brain at the helm
Chrystler Building (center)
Thursday June 2 - More nuthin'... but now with pictures
It's difficult to make a report when things are going pretty smoothly. We get up, pull lines, shove off, go like heck, feed and water the helmsman, try to stay cool and hydrated, dock, eat, fall asleep, and do it all again the next day. We have had great seas. The Africa-hot humidity is killing us, especially standing still as we did yesterday in the intracoastal waterway. We run the galley air conditioning while underway just to have a place to get a little relief. It frightened me a little to see Mongo Brucie be so overcome by the heat so fast but he has mentioned once or twice how he really prefers cooler climes. Rest assured, he's his old self again.
Yesterday's big technical issue included a shopping trip to Radio Shack to buy some HD rabbit ears so we could watch the hockey game. After calling the marinas that could accommodate our size boat and determining none had cable tv, it seemed like a good option. Don was able to watch the Bruins lose in crystal-clear HD.
The other technical issue Brian's dealing with has to do with the shore power lines. We tend to pop breakers and he thinks it's in the line itself. He plans on beheading the monster cable and putting it back together again to see if it's just a loose connection.
Today's target is Ocean City, NJ, which is approximately 130 nautical miles, which are 1.151 longer than statue or land miles.
Pictures from the last few days when we have a stronger signal!
Lower companionway before I got to it...
Lower companionway port side engine room door before...
Yesterday's big technical issue included a shopping trip to Radio Shack to buy some HD rabbit ears so we could watch the hockey game. After calling the marinas that could accommodate our size boat and determining none had cable tv, it seemed like a good option. Don was able to watch the Bruins lose in crystal-clear HD.
The other technical issue Brian's dealing with has to do with the shore power lines. We tend to pop breakers and he thinks it's in the line itself. He plans on beheading the monster cable and putting it back together again to see if it's just a loose connection.
Today's target is Ocean City, NJ, which is approximately 130 nautical miles, which are 1.151 longer than statue or land miles.
Pictures from the last few days when we have a stronger signal!
In the channel about an hour before Charleston
At the Megadock in Charleston! Pretty!
At the Megadock in Charleston! Pretty!
At the Megadock in Charleston! Pretty! This one was from Massachusetts.
Our taxi in Charleston. No, not the one where we were offered some debauchery... (just kidding about this being our taxi!)
The ocean taken 5/29. Smoooooooth!
Bruce dealing with the heat.
Sunrise taken on 5/31 as we left Whittaker Creek Marina in NC
I need my panoramic mode to shoot the whole boat!
Dinner at the Coinjock Marina. Not going to say which boy this is digging into this 32 ounce prime rib. I will say it was thoroughly enjoyed!
We did not go this way; we would have fallen off the earth. SO hazy as we left Coinjock.
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| Then after! |
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| And after! |
Lower companionway port side engine room door before...
Just practicing. There is no tackle at the end of this line. Honest! ;)
While waiting for a bridge to be opened (on the hour), we noticed some poor SOBs welding in 98° temps and about 1000% humidity.
You are here. I didn't notice the QR square before! Bruce in his heat-induced crabbiness took this picture. Boston's only 717 miles away (sigh...)
Entering Norfolk Harbor
Too funny to hear all the "ooo!"ing and "aaa!"ing as we passed through Norfolk Harbor. All the boys went crazy at the industrialness of the whole area. Of particular interest was this crane which could lift anything it darn well pleased.
For my friends and half my family - BAE!
Excusez-moi? Avez-vous un Grey Poupon? Blue Water Marina, Hampton, VA
Another "Hans" special. Not sure what this was plugged into but it was spliced with medical tape.
Leaving Hampton, VA at 06:03!
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