Atlantic Highlands is a very protected harbor, especially protected from southerly winds. Today a cold front from the west collided with a tropical storm moving north along the entire eastern part of the country...very nasty. We had a tornado watch and experienced 45 mph wind gusts for most of the day. "Chasseur" moved all over on her mooring. The "Highlands" to the south of us helped protect us but it was still a little uncomfortable. The noise from wind sounded like a freight train going past us.
The locals suggested we indulge in the favored drink along the east coast called "Dark and Stormy". It was too early to have a drink, so a fellow sailor took us up to the liquor store to buy the necessary ingredients for our happy hour in the afternoon. Here is the recipe for anyone that is interested:
2 oz Gosling Rum, 3 oz ginger beer (this is not beer, it is a "soda" as they say in the east), and a wedge of lime (optional), over ice.
As the night progressed, the storm increased in intensity with torrential rain ;and wind gusts up to 60 mph. Terry loves storms. Suzanne not so. Sipping on her "Dark and Stormy" made the storm more tolerable.
We survived the storm. All up the East Coast people on shore had a more difficult time with flooding, power failures, and downed trees. Up to 3 inches of rain was reported and tens of thousands of people without power.
Wednesday we were still waiting for a weather window. The time at the Highlands provided some rest and relaxation. When we go to shore there are always "locals" at the dock to connect with and garner information. Everyday we met with fellow sailor Pete Rathemacher. He invited us to join he and his wife, LuAnn, to race on his 34 ft J boat "Lithium". Before Suzanne agreed to the invitation she asked Pete for reassurance that his boat's name did not have anything to do with medication he took. It was a beautiful night for a race and it was not without excitement. Things got "interesting" out there with a couple of very close calls. That was the first time Suzanne has ever come that close to a boat collision! The Atlantic Highland Yacht Club is on the second floor of a reception center. It looks out over the Raitan Bay with a beautiful view of the NYC skyline. We ended the evening with another weather update which looked only partially promising for a departure Thursday.
"Nature's instructions are always slow, those of men are generally premature."
Rousseau
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| "Dark and Stormy" ingredients |
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| Preparing for race to start |
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| Pete and LuAnn sizing up the competition |
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| Race night in Atlantic Highlands |
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| Ballast |
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| Wing and Wing |
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| Night sky over the "Highlands" |
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