We
were truly thankful for a well-stocked pantry, frig and freezer while docked at
Kammerman's Marina in Atlantic City because we found ourselves in a residential
neighborhood far from anything notable. Our location ensured a lengthy walk,
regardless of destination. So, soon after docking this Tuesday afternoon, we
took a long ten-block (each way) walk with boater friends Paula, Todd, Jenny
and Bruce to a neighborhood convenience store (just to have a destination)
which was plentifully supplied with junk food. I guess some folks could
manufacture dinner out of purchases here; I'm not one of those folks. Our trek
was more for movement/exercise than for shopping, but the gals each bought a
few empty-calorie items.
Returning
to the marina, we took 'five' then gathered for docktails on Ocean Breeze,
hosted graciously by Paula and Todd. I guess we were having a really good time
because we parted company late then dined even later (fashionably late?) aboard
SaSea Sally on grilled swordfish, grilled romaine and jasmine rice. Yum!
Knowing
we had at least a couple days layover here due to wind and wave predictions
allowed a 'play day' on Wednesday. Clay and I walked this morning to the famous
Atlantic City Boardwalk then walked a stretch of the boardwalk before returning
for breakfast. It was quite obvious that Boardwalk hours accommodated night
life, morning exercise, and a midday playtime of carnival rides, shopping,
eating, and gambling. Most venues sported a 'noon open' sign, but the boardwalk
was crowded with walkers, bikers, joggers, babies in strollers, and
"Boardwalk Ambassadors — tourism employees who are part concierge and part
neighborhood watch. These ambassadors, dressed in "brilliantly" hued
ensembles, patrol the Boardwalk on foot and bicycle, doing everything from
recommending restaurants to performing CPR if needed, important to making
people feel welcome and safe. Funding for these ambassadors is provided by the
Casino Reinvestment Development Authority with purpose to provide
directions, clean up graffiti, tip police — the little things that affect the
visitor’s experience in Atlantic City."
My
first notice of these ambassadors was in looking for Clay who had gotten
separated from me. Note: This happens frequently to the point that sister Sus
has suggested micro chipping him - not a bad idea at all! Anyway, exiting the
bathroom, I jogged toward the back of a neon-green-shirted fella, neon green
being Clay's shirt color for our morning walk. Closing in on the fella, I
realized that: a) it wasn't Clay; and b) there were many of these green-shirted
people wandering the Boardwalk. Thus, reference previous paragraph for
revelation.
Post
walk, the rest of the morning brought housekeeping chores, then lunch. Having a
new bicycle which needed exercise, I opted to off-load my bike early afternoon
and explore the city. I must have felt relatively safe or I would not have
ventured out solo. Was a fun trip as I circled Clam Creek Basin to the Golden
Nugget Casino and adjacent Farley State Marina. This neighborhood was certainly
more appealing than our marina location, but neither Clay nor I are gamblers,
so the draw at Kammerman's was the cheaper docking cost...and it worked out
just fine. Farley's advertised a swimming pool, but I've had to put swimming on
the back burner this summer; the price difference wasn't worth the 20-30 minute
lap swim (if even lap-able).
Armed
with a map on my bike hike, I referenced my map then headed the direction of
downtown Atlantic City and found an area of downtown swarming with
shoppers. Atlantic City has designated a section of streets for a plethora
of outlet shops, and I'm guessing all of those visitors not on the
boardwalk nor gambling were at this outlet mall. I locked my bike using my new
D-lock, but I'm still skittish about it being stolen, so I didn't wander far.
I
soon departed the outlet mall (no purchases) and headed to a Save-A-Lot,
thankful that I'd donned my backpack to house any incidental food purchases. I
can always find something to buy at the grocery store, so I did just that. As I
entered the store, I was politely asked by one of two fully-armed security
guards to put my backpack in my grocery cart rather than on my back. When I
questioned him, he said this store is plagued with shoplifting. Further, his comment:
"Please note I'm fully-armed; this isn't a safe area of town." I
didn't tarry, but snagged a few purchases and quickly mounted my bike towards
the marina. I passed a hair salon (I'm always on the lookout for such when my
hair starts getting longer) called Omar & Abdullah's Hair Bazaar...just
another reminder that this isn't Louisiana, Missouri!
The
rain and wind moved in with a vengance early Thursday morning, forcing Clay and
me to postpone our morning walk until noon when the weather tempered a bit.
Walking over the lunch hour gave opportunity to see the Boardwalk in action.
People from all walks of life must be drawn to the activities offered in
Atlantic City, but we made note of serious overbuilding. As a result of the
United States' economic downturn and the legalization of gambling in adjacent
states, four casino closures took place in 2014, and the resulting vacant
buildings and parking lots have become community eyesores. Enough said.
Returning
to the boat this Thursday afternoon, a neighborhood resident asked if we were
moving in. I replied, "Nope, we're on a boat (transient)." He
continued, "I know, but you've been here awhile." Ha ha. Guess he
understands neither weather windows nor ocean turbulence. We had a late lunch
then moved the boat to the fuel and pump out dock in preparation for a 5:30
a.m. departure Friday morning toward Great Kills Yacht Club on Staten Island,
Friday having been selected as our weather window.
I
awakened overnight twice to weather radio alerts which caused me to re-think
our Friday departure; but it wasn't up to me. So, I rolled over and tried to
sleep which didn't happen. With alarm set for 5:00 a.m. and tiring of listening
to Clay saw logs, I mounted the salon steps at 4:30 a.m. to do some of my
stretches prior to departure. We coordinated our exit with Todd and Paula and
followed Ocean Breeze out of the harbor at 5:49 a.m. (or so says the log which
Clay meticulously keeps, but with my assistance for the 'meticulousness'). A
long day on the Ocean ensued with our arrival at Great Kills Yacht Club on
Staten Island at 5:05 p.m., snugged in and none worse for the wear. Note: Some
of you have received my spontaneous email detailing our 11+ hours at sea, and
thus you understand more fully the 'long' and 'none worse for the wear'
terminology a bit better than others. Ah, life is an adventure!
With
those words, I will sign, seal and send this on its way. After a few days
R&R, SaSea Sally will set course toward NYC, just so you know what's up and
coming for us.
No comments:
Post a Comment