The next two gathering of boats will be the Island Heights and Toms River Yacht Clubs. As we pass by, we may get a chance to observe one of their many sailboat regatta-taking place. Sometimes, it gets very crowded and your captain must “give way” to allow the racers to pass unimpeded. The wind that propels our boat sometimes blocks the wind the racers need to stay competitive so we will alter course to allow them the “right of way”.

Continuing up the river and again on the starboard side, we will see the Toms River Golf Club. You will notice that one of the greens protrudes out into the river. The shortest distance from tee to green is over the bay. Anyone want to stop to dive for golf balls?

At the head of the navigable water, we will come about and return on the southern side of the river, passing the towns of South Toms River, Beachwood, Pine Beach and Ocean Gate. By the way, all of these towns also have their own yacht clubs and may be involved in racing each other’s teams. The clubs have sailing programs for their younger members, so we may again encounter a sailing fleet getting lessons in how to handle small sailboat. Not to worry, your captain knows just how to avoid all those sailboats.

At any time along the way, you can expect to see the river’s only paddle wheeler, the River Lady. Get out your cameras because it’s your chance to take a picture of the areas only boat that is really propelled by the paddles, and not a propeller. You might even want to tell your friends how you really were sailing along the mighty Mississippi and sailed past a riverboat.

Occasionally, and when ever two sailboats come close together, there is almost always going to be a race. We can tighten up our sails and see if we can’t put some distance between us and the other sailboat in a race for bragging rights. But, please be gracious winners, or heaven forbid gracious losers.

As we proceed east, towards the Barnegat Bay, you will undoubtedly notice the salt marsh with all the telephone poles. This is Good Luck Point where they grow the best telephone poles in New Jersey!!! Not really but, every one in a while I get a passenger to almost believe me. If you look closely, you will see that there is a wire antenna strung between the poles. An old timer has told me that this site was once a spy radio station during World War I and then again during World War II. AT&T now owns the property but know one knows for sure what its function is these days.