23 May, 2021. Sunday rest and stay out of the way

 

4 SM; 1 hour

Image above looks bigger and longer; we just repositioned to what we hoped was a calmer anchorage.  Last nights anchorage off of the USCG station was rolling and rough most of the night.  At 0130 during tidal current change, a big something passed close enough waking us both with a huge wake.  We did not get much sleep after that.  High tide at 0630, where we wanted to go had skinny water, so we upped the anchor early with cups of coffee in our hands.  The recreational, commercial and sightseeing boats were buzzing around like flies as we got underway and continued to buzz us all along the four mile journey.  Folks around here, as we learnt later this afternoon just do not have any wake courtesy.  Exiting off the skinny and narrow ICW we entered Sunset lake area containing decent water, mud flats and real skinny water.  Following local markers and our anchoring guide and the depth sounder we arrived where we wanted to anchor in 11 feet of water. Repositioned all complete at 0730.  Sunset Lake anchorage

We made breakfast, listened to our regular Sunday morning bible study and church services via internet then took naps.  What was a calm and peaceful anchorage became a raging crazy space with gusty NW winds, jet skies and various wake boats and fishing boats.  No regard at all for civility.  Maybe,  just as bad, if not worst, than the south Miami crowd.  We splashed the dinghy and headed ashore in the Wildwood, NJ area looking for the elusive dinghy dock.  While the city has a nice kayak/small boat dock at a nice park, signs clearly stated no motorized boat use.  Taking a leap of faith, we made the assumption that meant large power boats and not our little eight foot dink.  All secured, we walked to the beach about 1/2 mile away.

Actual street sign seen walking to the beach

Pretty crowded beach—post COVID and a warm 90 deg day

The nearest grocery store was closed…no freshies or cookies today.  Due to the rough anchorage, the stiff winds and we might have been illegally parked, we decided to make our way back to Serenity.  We both got pretty wet and splashed about a gallon + of salt water into the dink.  Safely back, Kaos the dink all secured we hung up the wet clothes and life preservers to dry in the bright sun and wind.  An hour before sunset, the anchorage is beginning to quiet down and smooth down as all the boaters end their day.  Shaping up to be a pretty sunset as we finish supper and give thanks.  Today’s anchorage map

3854 SM traveled; 1706.3 hours Hobbs