Jeff and I just returned from our three-week “shakedown” cruise up the Chesapeake and Delaware Bays to the Atlantic Ocean and on to Long Island Sound.

We needed to test how the boat, as well as ourselves (and the pups, of course), would perform after having made some minor tweaks to the boat. We wanted to go offshore, since the majority of our sailing thus far has been in the confines of the Chesapeake Bay.

Knowing we will soon head South,we figured this was the last chance to check something off my Bucket List-to sail by the Statue of Liberty and Ellis Island on our own boat.

After a night tied to the dock (it was free-can’t beat that!) at Rock Hall, we continued on to Chesapeake City, MD-the last populated port before crossing the C&D canal. (Note-the boat was tied to the dock—not us. That would be very uncomfortable.)

At 3:00pm, we decided to push on and anchor somewhere in the Canal, especially since the water and weather were cooperating. Before sunset, we dropped the hook (anchor) off Reedy Island, piled into Dingo the dinghy and went to shore to let the pups relieve themselves. Shore, however, is a subjective word here, because there was no terra firma to be found. It was all-you guessed it-REEDS! Thick, towering, marshy, snakey reeds.

Continuing the search for appropriate pee places proved futile. Nothing. Dammit! I knew we should have been more proactive in training the pups to use their “Potty Patch” on the boat! We returned to the boat with disappointed doggies and a concerned mommy.

Knowing they wouldn’t have an opportunity to get off the boat until we reached our next destination, we pulled anchor at sunrise and set off for the Delaware Bay.

The Delaware has a reputation for behaving badly, and I was dreading the turbulence more for the dogs sake than anything. The river suppressed her temper that day, though, and we arrived in Cape May, NJ unscathed but for full bladders

Cape May, on the Southern tip of the state, was a delightful surprise. We splurged and paid for two nights at Utch’s Marina, and walked miles and miles exploring. Many of the Victorian houses double as Inns, and there is a pedestrian mall very close to the beach. It was at the beachfront arcade that Jeff had his ass handed to him playing skeeball! Yes, I am the QUEEN of skeeball, folks!

It was also in Cape May that I enjoyed the best, best raw oysters I believe I have ever eaten! Cape May Salts. If you ever get the chance, try them! No crackers necessary.

After two full days at Cape May, we continued north. So far, our shakedown was going well.

Next stop: The Boardwalk Empire- Atlantic City, New Jersey, where our journey becomes a bit more of a shake-up.