Waiting for a weather window

We bid adieu to NYC and its harbour

...and avoided all those big guys out there sharing the water with us...

We've staged ourselves for our next big crossing: from here - a place called Sandy Hook, which is as near as we can get to the Atlantic and still be sheltered - to Cape May. It's a run of about 24hr., and it'll be our first "overnighter." We're waiting for a good weather window. We don't want winds that are over 15 knots; we don't want a north east wind (it opposes the current and causes steep waves) or a south or southwest wind (that's the direction we're headed and we can't sail straight into the wind); we don't want rain and/or thunderstorms; we do want settled seas (waves under 5ft) ... so, we're waiting for mother nature to give us what we need to stay safe. While we wait, we're trying to sort out our best route and time of departure and arrival. Out at sea, you have to go far enough out to avoid the crab pots and lobster traps, but close enough in to avoid the shipping lanes, which means going out about 5 nautical miles (that's about 8-10 km). We'd prefer to depart with an outgoing tide (gives you a boost); and arrive during slack water, either at high or at low tide when the currents are at their weakest and it's easier to manoeveur in a new harbour. So, there's lots to consider. 

It's looking like our weather window will come this Saturday & Sunday. It's certainly not here now...

Yesterday, we had showers during the showers! No kidding. There are no shower facilities nearby. We can choose between a navy shower on board, or an above board deck shower... 'really rather fun :-)

All cleaned up, we went out to dinner and a movie (The Butler) with Jorge & Kim, to celebrate Gil's 66th birthday. Unfortunately, I didn't get a photo of us?!