Atlantic City, NJ to Block Island, RI

Monday, June 15, 2026 ~ Overnight Ocean Crossing

Departure:  Frank S Farley State Marina (Atlantic City, NJ) Slip E23 11:15AM

Special Comments:

• Today marks our overnight ocean crossing. Rather than my body sleeping with late morning departure (11AM), my body alarm set off at 4:30AM. On the bright side, when it’s my shift to sleep, hopefully the exhaustion will have been sleeping. I still struggle sleeping underway.
• Our crewed stern dock neighbors, M/V Blue Heaven are headed to New York, Sag Harbor and back to Ft Lauderdale, FL.
• A few minutes later then planned as we finally received our Amazon package. Abescon Inlet Jetties a smooth seesaw ride. Conditions relatively calmish as well.
• Yikes, it’s only 12:39PM and my sea bands are on. Meanwhile Jacques is eating and snacking. I don’t know how or why he’s eating.
• Absolute HOURS of seesaw anchor christening! Which only got worse as the day progressed. TORTURE! By dark fall things were thrashing around. By 10:30PM we were leaning starboard and the conditions seemed worse. Literally scared for MY LIFE. Jacques comforting words in this moment, “it’s not as though we’re going to capsize“. He took over helm duty and remained there. My nauseousness just kept me green majority of the crossing. This continued ALL NIGHT LONG!!! Well, since I’ve always lived MY LIFE by CHOICES, this Admiral says, NO MORE OCEAN CROSSINGS!!! THAT’S MY CHOICE!!! He can either man the vessel himself or hire a Captain to accompany him. I was terrified nearly to death all so he could bypass East River (NY). A great reminder, as every flight attendant says, before take off, “place your oxygen mask on yourself before attempting to help someone else“. Putting my mental and physical health before any grand adventure Jacques seeks.
• During my evening shift, I noticed a vessel drifting and MSC cruise ship heading into NYC.
• With my brand of blood thinner, I am restricted to many over the counter medications and RX. Which usually means, I suffer through the symptom. Many I can overcome but, nauseas I just can’t.

Tuesday, June 16, 2026 ~ Ocean Crossing

Special Comments:

• Rough cruising conditions continued through the morning. I’m so over it! Tensions are so high onboard, you could hear a pin drop!
• Due to the overnight rough conditions we lost four hours, so rather than arrive at a reasonable time at 11AM, now it’s a 4PM arrival. Without mooring ball reservations, we may be out of luck.
• Saw a huge pod of dolphins in the deep waters coming towards our bow. Not even they could lighten the mood onboard.
• Clearly we define adventure differently! As the Captain, the last thing I want to hear, “I just learned something“. Yes, my standards are that high when my life is at stake. Simply meaning, I expect the Captain to be in control of the vessel at all times and on several occasions overnight, it sure didn’t feel like it!
• Seabands are still on. I’m barely surviving with no salt Saltine crackers and sips of water.
• Jacques pivoted from Great Salt Pond Breachway ~ Mooring Ball (Block Island, RI) to a marina. Yelp, just like that the little I was actually looking forward to while on the mooring ball. All gone, one being the skiff fresh baked goods! Everyday, I’m forced to overcome my fears, Jacques says, “oh, that builds character“. WTF! A little thing that I was actually looking forward. No clue, what the reasoning but, one thing is for sure, I seem to compromise and give far more than I ever get back. Like a ATM machine, when there’s no deposit, the account goes overdrawn. Actually, feelin’ like I could open condo blinds for a waterfront view, with far less chaos and stress in my life.
• So glad the day before that I cleaned, mopped, and precooked for a relaxing voyage. What a waste of my time!
• Shockingly, there were many mooring balls vacant to include orange ones to accommodate our girl.
• This afternoon watched a couple in wedding attire get photographed by the Trader’s Dock Bar and along the docks. Pretty sure our diva photobombed in several pictures.
• Shocked as we approached with folks paddle boarding and others on the beach. BURR! Because I had to grab a jacket with local temps, 60°F/66°F to dock.
• No time to explore as there’s a mess in every room to clean up. UGH!

About Block Island, RI:

• Annually hosts the Block Island Film Festival (May).
• Approximately 40% of the island’s land is preserved as open space.
• Best known for fishing, hiking, Mohegan Bluffs, surfing, and unspoiled beaches.
• Bicycles and mopeds are very popular on the island.
• Block Island Pride annually hosted (September).
• Estimates 300 – 400 miles of man-made stone walls.
• Features 365 freshwater ponds.
• First offshore Block Island Wind Farm in the USA.
• Has 32 miles of nature trails.
• Home to roughly 1,000 year round residents.
• Named (1614) after Adriaen Block (1567–1627), Dutch Cartographer, Fur Trader, and Navigator.
• Noted as “The Last Great Places” by The Nature Conservancy (TNC).
• Peak summer months, the population attracts 15,000 – 20,000 seasonal visitors a day.
• Picturesque 10 square mile island. Block Island, RI.
• Sacred Labyrinth, a stone-lined circular path on the west side of the island is used for meditation and reflection.
• Shaped like a pork chop.
• Storm Trysail Club (Larchmont, NY) annually hosts a week-long sailboat race.
• Two prominent lighthouses, North Light (1867) and Southeast Light (1875).

Arrival: Champlin’s Hotel, Marina & Resort (New Shoreham, RI) (Tuesday, 6/16/26) 3:15PM

Next Stop: Cuttyhunk Outer Moorings Cuttyhunk Island, MA (Friday, 6/19/26)

Wednesday, June 17, 2026 ~ Ocean Crossing

Docked: Champlin’s Marina & Resort (New Shoreham, RI)

Special Comments:

• Sipping my morning coffee watching the crew on the face dock mega yacht wipe off the morning dew. WOW, the Captain wears white gloves. Now, I’m thinking about implementing that onboard (LOL). Jacques has the oiliest fingers and whatever he touches leaves a finger print. Drives me insane!
• Interesting to observe the locals in sweatshirts and visitors in t-shirts.
• Chore day onboard since the washer dead and things got tossed around while underway.
• Jacques picked up lunch from Cafe Boutique (New Shoreham, RI). Actually, was nice for them to deliver right to the boat.

Next Stop: Cuttyhunk Outer Moorings Cuttyhunk Island, MA (Friday, 6/19/26)

Thursday, June 18, 2026

Docked: Champlin’s Marina & Resort (New Shoreham, RI)

Special Comments:

• Winds are howling today!
• We extended our stay by two days as our ocean crossing with 4′ – 6′ swells was unfavorable. Finding many marinas and mooring balls, are either nonrefundable or sustain a percentage upon cancellation around here. Fortunately, the mooring ball is only $65/daily eating fees.
• Staff are buzzing around, preparing for the weekend big wedding onsite.
• We took the complimentary shuttle service to Aldo’s Bakery (New Shoreham, RI). Enjoyed a cappuccino and pastry.
• Made our way to the post office on Water Street. There’s no mailboxes or mail delivery so all residents have a box. Which comes a meeting spot as summer residents slowly begin to arrive.
• Walked around Water Street area. Rented a golf cart from Island Rentals in Old Harbour area.
• Early delicious dinner at OneBI Steak & Oyster House (New Shoreham, RI). Spectacular outdoor waterfront view. Observed the ferries depart. Absolutely, delicious wild mushroom on a crostini appetizer. Our steak and frittes prepared to perfection.
• As you navigate around the island you quickly detect most employees are foreigners. I vaguely recall this from our last visit. Our waiter was from Turkey and will finish his third year of the program. The restaurant owner, provides housing and compensation. The island is highly recognized for its J-1 Summer Exchange Visitor Program, which brings hundreds of international college-aged students to the island to live, work, and experience American culture.
• After dinner, the shops were all closed. Like ghost town streets. Apparently, it’s not peak season and the town tends to shut down around 5PM. Only restaurants open.
• Didn’t realize the complimentary shuttle service operates on a off peak service. So, we missed the last run. There’s no Lyft or Uber Service here. Fortunately, several taxi service and most retail venues have cards available on who to call. Our driver, Bob is a full-time resident. Last winter was brutal on the island. Lack of medical care on the island becomes a day trip or even overnight stay to the main land for care. There is a PCP and a few nurses, no dentist or specialist on the island.
• Returning to back to the marina, we stopped at Trader’s Dock Bar (New Shoreham, RI) for a cocktail. I actually wanted to try the mudslide everyone was raving about. Can confirm all the hype and rave! Shocking was to see men both old and young ordering it. Every day they make patches. In the bar area were 6 buckets chillin’, I think the fact that it’s twirling in essentially a slushy machine makes all the difference. According to our bartender, last year 65,000 mudslides were made. That’s insane!
• We enjoyed listening to Stevie Lightnin’ while chatting with locals, even played Shut the Box (bartender crash instructions) and Uno game. Jacques won only because on multiple occasions we had a wild card forcing us to switch hands. Must be something new.

Next Stop: Cuttyhunk Outer Moorings Cuttyhunk Island, MA (Sunday, 6/21/26)

Friday, June 19, 2026

Docked: Champlin’s Marina & Resort (New Shoreham, RI)

Special Comments:

• The amount of visitors arriving via ferry service, is unreal. Jacques observed this ferry hit the elephant. I heard it from the salon. Jacques said, even the Trader’s Dock Bar (New Shoreham, RI) building moved. I only heard from the salon area.
• Had the pleasure of meeting a retired couple that summer here on the island during dinner outside at Cafe Boutique (New Shoreham, RI). We had hoped to dine at The Landing (New Shoreham, RI) however they were closed due to the wedding festivities.
• Met catarmaran owners from CT that are selling it after 4 years of cruising for something faster, Sabre. Their also building a home here which after four years still isn’t done. Apparently, all the work is outsourced from the main land and workers don’t always show up as planned.
• Enjoyed listening to live music with the Zeneth Duo, playing a stripped-down spin on classic rock and roll. Recognizable rock favorites alongside acoustic-driven classic melodies.
• Felt bad for a couple trying to dock on the face dock. Lost count as to the number of attempts. Eventually, dock hands relocated him by then he appeared spent. Another vessel intended to be on our port side on opposing dock struggled and landing off our bow, sending the dock hands running.

Next Stop: Cuttyhunk Outer Moorings Cuttyhunk Island, MA (Sunday, 6/21/26)

Saturday, June 20, 2026

Docked: Champlin’s Marina & Resort (New Shoreham, RI)

Special Comments:

• Awoken by the wind this morning.
• Worked on making some more shipyard contacts. Why do I always feel like if I contact 100 businesses, we’re lucky to receive a response from 1. Honestly, next week will be 6 six since a person came onboard for a different project and we have yet to receive a quote. Really, baffles me that they’ll waste their time (and ours) to come onboard to quote but drop the ball thereafter.
• Had lunch at The Landing Restaurant (New Shoreham, RI). I don’t normally eat lobster but, the Lobster Roll was delicious (and filling).
• Poor Jacques, climbing up and down the hill here to the laundry room is already tired of being without one, literally (LOL). We still generated two loads.
• Predeparture chore day followed by some relaxation.
• Sadly, today’s musician of entertainment onsite was pretty horrible.
• Hoping the bridal couple noticed the rainbow. There was only a small britz of rain. So on our port side the sun was shinny bright and on our stern, this lovely rainbow. Seemed like a sign to the bridal couple from the other side.

Next Stop: Cuttyhunk Outer Moorings Cuttyhunk Island, MA (Sunday, 6/21/26)

Sunday, June 21, 2026

Departure: Champlin’s Marina & Resort (New Shoreham, RI) 7:30AM

Special Comments:

• Departure day!

Next Stop: Cuttyhunk Outer Moorings Cuttyhunk Island, MA (Sunday, 6/21/26)