On a Dark Wintry Day....Thinking Back to a Summer Cruise

By Jim Field

Today it snowed. Temperature 19 degrees. Burr. Ouch!

On days like this, it is very easy--indeed, effortless--to let one's mind wander, to think back to warmer times, to the beach, from the beach to a boat, from a marina to an inlet, from an inlet to a port and a slip, and from there, well: how about to a restaurant for some food and drink? And then heading back again, tracing over the same exact track, to the barn. Yes, so easy to let the mind wander.

And what came to my mind, coincidentally, was a trip in July 2008 that the Okoniewskis--Fran, Christine, and Meghan--took with the Fields--Jim, Diane, and Ollie. The starting point was Indian River Marina in Delaware. The objective was Cape May, New Jersey, requiring passage across the mouth of the Delaware Bay. And then once at Cape May, the final, ultimate objective was The Lobsterhouse, and the fine food and brew to be had and eaten on the dock overlooking the fishing fleet and pleasure boats.

On this day, Captain Fran provided passage on his Grady. Notably, on the way back, Fran detoured to Lewes, Delaware, navigating around the breakwater, up the canal, and then, with that accomplished, ensuring a rapid return back to IR marina.

It was a blessed day, as the journal photos below reveal. Oh, may summer return expeditiously!

Note: The sons, Andrew and Jack, were away at camp, yet were missed dearly! (Yeah, right!)

Captain at helm, barking orders to deck hands


The deck hands: cute, but unruly and slow to obey


Safely moored, all ashore, Cape May, NJ


The Fields: Lewes breakwater and beacon as background


The Okoniewskis: Smooth seas, fair winds to you always!