sandy hook

Today we sailed down the Hudson into N.Y. harbor and past Ellis Island and the Statue of liberty-awsome site-others have said that it looked small but not at all.We have caught a mooring ball at Sandy hook,N.J. at Atlantic highlands yacht club-nice facility and will attempt the Atlantic in the am if the forcast holds.

Big Apple

Today was heavy rain so we took the commuter train just outside the Tarrytown marina and caught the segment of the Today show outdoors-while there we were offered tickets and attended a taping of the Dr. Oz show to air next month-he made a few goofs and they had a good comedian to get us going -fun. Also walked through the Theater Distric and Times Square.We had lunch at Carmines-great italian food  at a good price-beautiful sit down with tablecloth meal and plenty of leftovers in our refrig.We did lots of window shopping-loved the windows on 5th avenue and went in several stores but no room for new stuff. I did buy a cupcake for desert tonight from Magnolia bakery and real NY bagels for breakfast. I finished the day at St. Patrick`s cathedral and lit a votive in Dad`s memory-such an awsome church that I had tears from the experiance.Hope to finish the trip by water to Liberty Landing tommorrow-weather permitting.   chris
  I have added more pictures to the slide show at the top of the page, if you click on the slide show you can see it in a larger format for easier viewing. I will add more pictures as we travel down the coast.   Mike

tarrytown

Another long day, we made it to Tarrytown,N.Y. Today was drizzle and 1 to 3 foot rolling chop-lots of freighters but a wide channel.I did not care for Kingston-most of the walkable area of town was closed on monday and although showers were clean you had to feed them quarters to work-also wanted pumpout but it never materialized-same story everywhere on the Hudson, this marina actually had a functional pumpout and secure marina and  upscale, the subway station is just next to gate too.We were entertained all day by so much history-very old mansions,mountains,West Point,Culinary Institute of America.We saw large soft shell crabs stuck to walls of fuel dock and pumpout area-seafood  restaurant is in the marina too.     chris

kingston

We hated to leave Hop o Nose Marina and Creekside restaurant-Sean at the marina and all the waitresses were so helpful and friendly also a few wonderful live a board boaters who gave advice. We took advantage of the tide and headed down the Hudson a little until the rain returned with wind, tied up at Kingston city dock, many restaurants and maritime museum but many stores closed (monday).Only about 90 miles to heart of New York City now.    chris

mast up

Today the mast went back up again-no problems but much work to re-attach all lines and sails-all done but the weather may keep us here a bit more-nice people here and good restaurant/bar so won't mind being stuck here.

hop o nose

We made it down the Hudson river to Catskill,N.Y. today-experianced the effects of tides,winds and freighters but had a pleasant day-tommorrow we get the mast back up then slowly down the Hudson to New York City,weather and fatigue from mast raising will keep us here another night or so but they have a nice bar/restaurant and pool here.We had one last lock at Troy,N.Y. first thing this am and this lock had no ropes just widely spaced fat poles to slide one rope down-fortunately we had a mid ship line for Mike and I just fended off the bow.A hint for Ray and Debbie- one fellow had a hop o hop kids ball from a garage sale as one large bow fender-sturdy and cheap. This marina is called Hop O Nose marina and other pleasant cruisers to get advice from tonight.    chris

Chinese Fire Drill

Woke up this AM on the Waterford wall with a tug boat hailng us and telling us and one other boat that we had to move as we were in his space (nothing was posted). On the positive side we were able to get under way quick and tie up to the only available floating dock in front of the visitor center! The engine has been running fine, no more overheats or clogged strainers. On to the Hudson and south tommorow.