Day 270 Albany (Rensselaer) NY

Happy Birthday to our daughter Dawn. Have an awesome day.

After coffee and big breakfast on board, we left our peaceful anchorage at Houghtaling Island (also known as Schodack Creek or Hudson River MM 24.5) for a 15mile cruise to the Albany Yacht Club. Along the way we stopped at Castleton for diesel at $2.85 including Boat US discount. Albany YC is actually in Rensselaer; Albany (capital of NY) is across the river. With Boat US discount the slips are $1.25' plus $5. Electric; cable, WIFI included and canal passes are available for various user fees. I probably will not use the laundry since it is ½ block away. Although Albany is 144 miles from the ocean, there is still a 4-5 foot tide swing. We will stay here for a couple of nights so Tom can change oil and we can review all of our charts and books to see if we need additional ones for the New York Canals.

At this point travelers/loopers have to determine a choice which direction to proceed. 1. Continue north up the Champlain Canal and Lake Champlain & Montreal. 2. Head west on the Erie Canal to Buffalo and cruise Lake Erie. 3. Head west on the Erie Canal & Oswego Canal and cruise Lake Ontario. Although it adds 257 miles to our trip, we are taking the Lake Champlain route because we hear so much about its beauty and we want to visit Montreal.

Tomorrow will be a laid back day on “Noah Genda”. Oil is changed and about the only maintenance item is to address is to change fuel filters. No images today, (slow camera day) as we scout the area on bicycles.

Day 269-270, Hyde Park/Poughkeepsie - NY

Light house we passed today going up the Hudson River






Another unique light house on the Hudson River






U.S Coast Guard vessel on the Hudson River, today







Our good friend from our old Rock Island nieghborhood, Mark Riley






Us, during our tour, in front of the Culinary Art Institure "Roth Hall". Absolutely stunning campus, on the bluff, overlooking the Hudson River.






"Roth Hall" Culinary Art Institure, Hyde Park, New York








Inside "Roth Hall" first floor adjacent to the Apple Pie Cafe, open to the public and operated by the students. Fantastic aromas and taste with a great presentation.







View of fountain in front of Roth Hall






We left our anchorage at Pollepel Island, mile marker (MM)96.5 and traveled to Hyde Park Marina. While this marina is small without amenities, it does offer Boat US discount and it is 1 ½ miles from the CIA (Culinary Institute of America). You could bike or walk to the CIA but it would be a challenge to bike up hills. There are taxis available at only $7.50 one way.

Mark Riley, a friend of the family and a South Rock Island neighbor from many years ago came to the marina for a visit and offered to drive us for groceries (which we badly needed). Mark lives in Connecticut with his wife and made a concentrated effort to connect with us. The 3 of us then took a 4:00 PM tour of the CIA which we all found very interesting to say nothing of the bakery aroma following us down the halls. The spectacular campus sits on a bluff overlooking the Hudson River. Thank you Mark for your gracious hospitality. It was a fun afternoon.

The Culinary Institute of America is the world's premier culinary college. CIA offers an accelerated bachelor's or associate degree in culinary arts or baking and pastry. There are five restaurants choices: American, French, Italian, St Andrews (American & European) culinary using local sourced ingredients and The Bakery, all operated by the students. We dined at St Andrews which was the only restaurant open that night. The food and presentation was spectacular.

The weather has deteriorated to a cloudy drizzly day. This morning, Wed 6/9, we motored up the Hudson to MM 24.5 to a Skipper Bob recommended anchorage behind Houghtaling Island. It is a very quiet, pleasant and cozy little anchorage. The wind is about zip, the water flat, about 13’ deep and not a sole in sight. We will swing on the anchor every 6 hours with the tidal effect; however we look forward to reaching fresh water and out of tidal/salt water in a couple of days. Our next leg hopefully will be north on the NY canal system up to Lake Champlain. We might have a 15’ fixed bridge clearance issue but we are working on that.

Day 268, Depart Big Apple,

Departing Manhattan heading up the Hudson River






The Bear Mountain Bridge over the Hudson River







Passing West Point today on the Hudson River, absolutely beautiful. Makes you proud of America and the freedom that we enjoy.






More of West Point





A view of our anchorage tonight on the Hudson River, MM 96.5. South of Poughkeepsie, NY







Pollepel Island, jsut a few yards north of our anchorage on the Hudson River




Out visit to the Big Apple was nothing less than spectacular. What a magnificent city. Our short visit did not do it justice; however we did pack a lot of touring in a short period of time. There is so much to do and we wish we could have spent more time there. One year to complete this loop is really not adequate time.

We left the rocking and rolling of Newport Marina around 9:00 am. The current was against us going up the Hudson River but Tom decided that would be better than being tossed around like a cork in a bathtub, than to endure the discomfort in our slip at Newport Marina. I’m not sure there is a marina in NY that doesn’t endure some waves caused by the many ferries going back and forth. At one point I counted 7 zipping in front, beside and behind us. They have the right of way and you better not get in the way! It seemed like the Manhattan skyline went for miles. No complaints because it was beautiful to see.

The Hudson River reminds us very much of the upper Mississippi (North of Dubuque to the Twin Cities or St Croix River) with many gorgeous homes on high green bluffs. We traveled by West Point but did not stop because you must have permission to dock and a call to them went unanswered. You cannot do a tour on your own; it has to be a scheduled guided tour.

We passed by Sing Sing prison in the town of Ossining. Though the original structure still stands, it does not and never will house prisoners again. Plans are presently underway to convert the huge structure into a museum, an idea which may soon become a reality. Many Hollywood movies used Sing Sing as a backdrop for their stories. Films like The Big House (1930), Angels With Dirty Faces (1938) and 20,000 Years at Sing Sing. 1901, to prevent confusion of goods made in the village of Sing Sing with Sing Sing prison-made items, the town changed the name to Ossining.
South of the Bear Mountain Bridge is the Bear Mtn State Park which looks like a tricky anchorage but you can dinghy to shore, walk through the tunnel that passes under the RR tracks, follow the path up the mountain and snap a picture of your boat anchored below. Sounds interesting but we didn’t do it. It happened to be too windy to launch the dinghy.

We anchored at mile 96.5 below Pollepel Island. In the early 1900, Frank Bannerman, a munitions dealer, built a replica of a medieval castle as a summer resort and storehouse. In 1967 the state obtained the property and conducted tours until the castle burned in 1969. Today because of the deteriorating condition of the building, you can no longer visit the island. Nice quiet area with not much boat traffic of any kind. Firing up the grille, and later maybe plug in a movie. Tomorrow pull anchor and head to Hyde Park Marina with a scheduled visit to the Culinary Institute and reservations for dinner.

Day 267 Manhattan Tour 6/6/10

Us on Broadway in Manhattan






Liz and Steve on Train to downtown Manhattan






Nan & Jack on the train






Our city tour bus







Construction at ground zero





Wall Street







Our group with the Bull on Wall Street










Rockerfeller Center







Carnival Cruise passing by our marina with Manhattan background





Just want to reiterate how happy we are to finally be off the ocean and into the Hudson River where we will not be so exposed & dependent on the weather, wind & ocean conditions. We will still have some tide and now it’s combined with the current but nothing like the salt water we’ve been dealing with. We will miss the dolphins but not washing the salt crust off the boat!

Our thanks to Liz Kemper for getting information and our tickets for a city tour of Manhattan aboard a double decker open air bus. On Sunday we walked nearby to the Path train station, after Tom found the correct language for purchasing a ticket (inside joke) we were off for Manhattan. For a Sunday, I was amazed to find the train packed to the brim. After a short ride we walked down Broadway and climbed aboard the tour bus “City Sites of NY”. The on and off boarding option, narrated tour, took us by 23 stops such as the Empire State Bldg, World Trade Center Site, Wall Street, Battery Park, United Nations, Times Square, Greenwich Village and etc. We walked at the World Trade Center Site and the St Paul’s Chapel which was instrumental in helping victims of the attack. The church has preserved all the mementos, pictures and stuffed animals from family and friends.

When we were on the tour bus our tour guides would make comments discouraging everyone from using taxicabs. I’m not sure why unless the taxicabs (all say NYC Taxi on the side of the vehicle) are city owned and they think drivers have a cushy job. The intranet says the 12,053 yellow taxicabs are the only vehicles allowed in New York City to pick up passengers hailing on the street or taxi stand.

What a fun day with Liz & Steve off “Shingebiss” and Jack & Nan off “Eschaton”.

Day 266 Atlantic City NJ, Hudson River -Manhattan NY

Casino lights in Atlantic City




Verrazano Bridge to New York Harbor








"The Lady of Liberty Island"







Manhattan Skyline







Friday we left Cape May with apprehension about the weather for traveling in the Atlantic. Our weather web site may tell us 2-4 feet waves but it ended up being 3-5. We were happy to get the 49 miles behind us as we entered the Absecon Inlet to Atlantic City. Inlets are the only way you can get off the ocean and into protected water. They also make a person anxious as the waters are very turbulent and shallow water caused from shoaling is a problem. We stayed at the city marina called Historic Gardner’s Basin for $1.50 foot and $5.00 electric. It is the first marina inside the inlet so you have an easy exit back to the Atlantic in the morning. The casinos on the horizon and the lights at night were awesome to see. Our pictures do not reflect all the changing colors. The area has a couple of casual restaurants, an aquarium, and a few specialty stores.
We were off at 5:30 am on Saturday thinking we were headed 86 miles to Great Kills area where there is a private yacht club that is not in guide books. They allow loopers to stay for $2.00 ft plus $10 for power. For anyone following who is interested call John at 917-887-9446. There is limited space for transients and I was told there is an express bus for transportation to Manhattan. We must be getting used to the 3-5’ seas because we decided to continue another 20 (?) miles to New York.
The Verrazano Narrow Bridge is one of the world’s largest suspension bridges which divides Upper Bay and Lower Bay. New York Harbor is every thing you expected and dreaded as you travel with freighters, sightseeing boats, ferries, and tugs. With all the traffic and water turbulence, it was a challenge to get our pictures of the 300 ‘serene Statue of Liberty on Liberty Island. She seems dwarfed by all the skyscrapers surrounding her. As you pass by the northern tip of Staten Island, the whole panorama of New York City is spread before you. From our dock in Newport Marina, we look across the Hudson at Manhattan’s skyline which positively beautiful both in daylight and evening. Ahead and behind us we see the lights of Jersey City.
I’m in a hurry to take a city tour so please overlook any errors.

Day 265 Atlantic City NJ 6/4/10

Dinner at The Lobster House Cape May



Pete and Jane off "Somerset 2"





Dick & Char off "Ellen Leigh"







Our shining prop being installed






Being transported to launch the boat






Atlantic City Casinos on the horizon as we approach the Absecon inlet



Thursday we rode bikes around town and had lunch. When we got back to the boat Tom found out the material for the shaft had arrived and they were working on it. Wonderful news! I’m not sure how much more of Tom’s second guessing himself I can take.

We had dinner Thrusday at the popular Lobster House with Loopers Pete and Jane from “Somerset 2” and Dick & Char off” Ellen Leigh” . You can walk the short distance from Utsch’s marina to the restaurant. The fish doesn't get any fresher than this place since the restaurant sits at the dock where the catch of the day is brought in and specializes in all things seafood. There is a separate raw bar, and take out fish market available if you want to something to take back to the boat. A docked schooner; “the American” is a place where you can enjoy a beverage while you wait for your table and you usually do have to wait. We got lucky and immediately sat down to a table of six. I’m not sure how many the restaurant seats but they have 3 parking lots which are usually full.

After Utsch's Marine installed the new shaft, replaced the prop and had a test run on the water we finally departed Utsch’s Marina at 11:30 AM. It was a sunny day and the sea forcast was 2-4’ waves and 10-15 west winds. We encountered 3-5’ rolling waves and believe it or not you get used to them. Currently we are at The Historic Garden Basin (the city marina- $1.50’ $5 for power) Neither of us gamble and since we’re tired, we will eat on the boat and chill. We covered todays' 50 plus miles in 4.5 hours. Hopefully, weather permitting, we can make the run of 86 plus miles up to Sandy Hook (NY lower harbor)in about 9 hours. We are trying to make up some time we lost waiting for underhull repairs.

Day 261-263 Cape May

Another Safeharbor in Lewes, Delaware





Kings ice cream - You can tell we're happy to be there!





Ferry ride from Cape May, MD to Lewes, Delaware





Ferry headed into the Atlantic








Ferry terminal






A rainbow of colors.




Sunday I went to a live theatre to see “Class” by Charles Evered and staring Thaao Penghlis (Tony on Days of our Lives) and Heather Matarazzo. I had no idea who they were but I wanted something different for the afternoon and it was very enjoyable. The theatre used to be a church but they had remodeled and every seat was excellent. It was a very intimate theater where you felt like you were on stage with them.

Memorial Day we went to the beach – well we sat on the boardwalk and people watched. We were dressed for bike riding and there is a $5.00 fee per person per day for all beaches in NJ. Of course it is a little cheaper by the week, etc. If you count all the umbrellas on the beach, that is a good days income.

Tuesday morning we returned the rental car before I read about a car and passenger ferry between Cape May and Lewes, (pronounced Lewis) Delaware. Dah! We should have done the ferry yesterday or kept the car another day. This was our chance to actually set foot on land in the state of Delaware so we took a taxi to the port and hopped on board. They have 3 very large ferries that I’m guessing carrying 100+ cars each. You have to drive quite a distance in both directions to find a vehicle bridge so the ferries get quite busy. Little did we know the shuttle to downtown Lewes doesn’t start operating week days until June 14 so we were 2 miles away from anything. I’m not above begging so I managed to get us a ride to the historic district of town. After we walked around and had locally made Kings ice cream, Tom did the begging and got a ride back to the ferry for the 85 minute ride back to Cape May. Since we were on a roll, he also secured a ride back to the marina.

Our prop came back on Tuesday but no word on delivery of the shaft. Tom is second guessing himself; we should have had it repaired when we were back here or there but unfortunately, we didn’t. Since we’re hoping we are back in the water today or tomorrow at the latest, I caught up on laundry this morning so we’d be ready to depart.