[password]seabird14
[position] 37 56.3N N 075 11.9 W
[speed] 8.2 kts
[weather] 10kts NNE cc80%
[status] Day 2 - 89 nm to Norfolk VA. Motorsailing main only, 8.2 kts at 214T. Yesterday morning we had a fabulous time motoring along the East River of Manhattan, particularly enjoying the view from the water of the iconic Chrysler and Empire State Buildings. Of course the highlight was the southernmost end, seeing old Lady Liberty, her statuesque coppery turquoise and gold torch reflecting the brilliant morning sunshine. We timed the tides right, and whipped along at 12+ knots under a total of 8 bridges, the air, sea and land around us a constant hum of noise from helicopters, planes, trains, ferries and cars all hustling to their Friday morning destinations. We totally understood why the northernmost cut is called "Hell's Gate", wicked if one timed it wrong or had major shipping traffic. Once again, it being late in the season and a weekday helped us miss most traffic situations, but we sure did enjoy looking up at all those magnificent buildings and being so close we could see people at their desks working away. In terms of sailing, we have done very little, only about 5 hours last night as we weaved through many anchored container ships outside the Delaware port. The chart is littered with markings of wrecks, a reminder of how this shallow coast with depths ranging from 10-50 feet, would be treacherous in big winds. The wind should fill in nicely from the north shortly, hopefully allowing us to sail the remainder of our miles and get the hook down in the wee hours tonight.
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