September 16, 2003
Sandy Hook - Atlantic Highlands

Now, here is the story we pulled in before lunch to the gas dock at Highlands Marina to get some gas, do some shopping, etc. Any excuse to get on the land is good now. SO off we went to town. Had lunch at BK - that's our version of eating out and got back to the dock. We were hanging around there for awhile when one security fella came to demand $50 fee for our docking. I said we'll go but he wouldn't have it. We stayed too long and it's either $50 or he calls the cops. Now, not all Americans are jerks. I am glad I know some good people from US of A but guys like that would make anyone mad. So we were arguing there for awhile. I tried to talk to Harbour Master but he was already off and this security thug was throwing his weight around. We had to pay or face local cops. We settled for $37 and put our boat in the slip with the power for a night as a consolation for this usage fee gouging. I would not have it to pay so much money for few hours of shopping in town. Allright, the guy was trying to help afterwards. I think he felt bad for being so anal. We couldn't take off too far anyway. Isabell was coming and she was all dressed up. High winds, flooding, tropical storm, gale warnings etc. etc. Well that very night was still calm and I didn't plan to pay for the marina quite yet. Outraged or not we recharged our battery and did some work on our website. What would YOU do now if we didn't?

(M)