Our New Neighbors

Our Generous Hosts

Jim & Mother Jeanne

Code Zero Drawing

Our First Ocean Sail

Yesterday we motored across the shipping lanes south of NYC traveling due east to Point Lookout, Long Island to visit Jim's Mom for a couple of weeks. White sand beaches and a perfect blue sky were finally joined by a light SE breeze. So we decided to raise all the sails (including the code zero), and we had a perfect sail along the south shore of Long Island....sailing should always be this comfortable! Arrived at the dock at Fisherman's Catch Restaurant which is across the street from Jim's Mom. We will stay here as long as the shrimp boats don't come back from the Carolinas to catch scallops. Jim's Mom, Jeanne, had tears of happiness when she saw us coming down Reynolds Channel.

Lions and Tigers and Bears, Oh My!

Ferries to the left of us, barges to the right of us, water taxis coming straight at us, and tour boats behind! Jim wanted to take a pleasant mid-week tour up the east river (also the current was against us). By 23rd street we turned around and headed to Staten Island where we anchored in Great Kills Harbor for two nights. This was a very well protected anchorage (actually a huge mooring field). It is surrounded by Gateway National Park. We walked to Hylan Boulevard to a wonderful Russian grocery store where we bought warm crusty bread and were entertained by Barbara, a Russian cashier, who insisted on giving us a tour of the best things to buy. We also had Ralph's famous Italian ices. If we had known that there was a laundromat we would have schlepped the laundry. We spent the afternoon observing the crab fishermen that strategically spaced themselves around the Harbor. The weather has been wonderful; sunny skies with low humidity and light winds.

Manhattan Skyline

The Anchorage at Liberty State Park

Lady Liberty

Anchored Behind Lady Liberty

We arrived in NYC yesterday and motored down the Hudson River. Decided not to stop at the 79th Street Boat Basin; abit too rough in the mooring field. We dodged ferries and tug boats and snaked our way through the buoyed channel to anchor in Liberty State Park. We were the only boat in well protected 16 feet of water. Jim had his first salt water swim; and loved it. My cousin Barry and his wife Nesrin from Hoboken NJ came over for a visit. Nesrin was abit skeptical about the dinghy ride, etc. but Kismet won her over. We had a lovely dinner onboard, and a great reunion, with the Verrazano Bridge and Lady Liberty adding to the ambiance.

On the Hook at Nyack Boat Club

Westpoint

Nearing the Big Apple

We meandered our way down the Hudson River for the last two days. West Point was enormous. We were told that the river is 200 feet deep in that area. The whole Hudson is really a fiord that extends out to the continental shelf; with hundreds of feet of sticky, heavy, mud. Jim says that the new anchor just loves to bury itself in this mud. He is developing new devices to deal with pulling up the anchor.....God forbid we should purchase a windlass! Spent yesterday in Haverstraw Bay. Very large bay with hundreds of powerboats anchoring like in Sodus Bay at the sand bar. Went for a delightful swim (finally) in 75 degree water. Tonight we are at anchor at the Nyack Boat Club (founded in 1909). Kismet was just toooo heavy for the available moorings. The launch picked us up to go into town for provisions. They refused a donation and asked that we spread the good word about their club. This is a great spot...just north of the Tappan Zee Bridge.

Bannerman's Castle

Jim's Second Catch

Anchoring By A Castle

The excitement started this morning when Jim pulled up the anchor - and hooked someone's abandoned anchor (his second catch). Another beautiful day and we motored 40 miles to Pollepel Island in the Hudson River for the night. Bannerman's Castle sits atop the 6 acre rock. It was built as a munitions storage facility by a 1900s businessman from NYC. After an explosion and later a fire, the photo shows what remains. This is an absolutely amazing spot - especially if you enjoy Amtrak trains!

We are Finally a Sailboat

We spent the past 3 days at Hop-O-Nose Marina in Catskill NY getting our mast stepped and all the chores associated with that process. Without going into all the details, it was pretty intense. Jim climbed the mast steps three times; once to free a messenger line trapped in the furled jib, once to change the direction of the windex, and the crowning glory was to free a jammed main sail. We finally left Hop-O-Nose at 3:00pm today. The tides weren't with us; but it was definitely time to leave this place of pain. Luckily a couple of wonderful visits eased the pain. Elena was in the area for a wedding and took a train to Hudson NY, and taxied over to the marina. We spent a lovely 24 hours together. She marveled at how difficult it was to find things in such a small space. Jim's Vet School friends; Rich & Nina came to visit us and we had dinner at the Creekside Restaurant. It was great to see them. Tonight we are anchored in Esopus Creek in Saugerties, NY.

On Top of The World - Lock E6

Jim's First Catch

Exiting A Lock

Anchored in Schodack Creek on The Hudson River

We locked through the Eastern section of the Erie Canal and arrived in the cutest town of Waterford NY at 4:00pm yesterday. We cannot say enough about how beautiful transiting the canal was. The last 5 locks drop you more than 150' feet in 1.5 miles. It is called "the flight of five". You feel like you are at the top of the world (or Disneyworld). The Waterford town dock is definitely a gathering place for travelers on the Hudson River, the Erie and Champlain Canals; very cool. To celebrate our accomplishment, we did laundry and went to dinner at a local pub; McGreevey's. This morning we went to Price Chopper for provisions with our backpacks. Now that we are on the Hudson we have to pay attention to the tides. One of the cruisers in Waterford suggested that we anchor in Schodack Creek south of Albany. We motored up the creek about 1.5 miles and dropped the hook. One other boat is in this paradise with us.

Matt & Andrea

Should we really depend on the GPS?

Marcy NY Canal Park - West

View from Marcy NY Canal Park - East

Marcy NY to Amsterdam NY

Marcy has the best Canal Park - complete with water, power, restrooms, & live music. Motored to Little Falls on Friday & locked through the highest lock (40'). Very impressive. Andrea & Matt Carey, from Oxford NY came up to see what our liveaboard life was all about. We explored Little Falls & they slept overnight. Got a good start on the day today, and traveled 31 miles to Amsterdam. We expect to make it to Waterford by late tomorrow afternoon. The adventure is unbelievable!

Still in Disneyworld (or maybe Sylvan Beach)!

Just a quick entry to say that we motored across Oneida Lake today. Left at 0630 and tied up to the wall at Sylvan Beach at 0935. Very pleasant crossing. Sylvan Beach is another one of those undiscovered gems in New York State. Funky little beach town complete with a 1950's amusement park. We rode on the roller coaster and the "go upside down caged ferris wheel". Good preparation for living on a boat (mal de mer). Emily drove up from Norwich for a visit. Jim is sure that we had ZZTop sighting; he is living in Sylvan Beach (picture to follow soon; probably tomorrow).

The African Queen

August 12, 2008
Jim thought that he was in the movie "The African Queen" today. (I'm getting abit worried)! However, that's what the experience of cruising the canal/river felt like. We are amazed with how few boats are actually on the canal. We only shared one lock so far with another boat. We have now been through eight locks - still no damage. We traveled from Fulton to Brewerton today and tied up to the free dock. Tomorrow we will cross Oneida Lake. Today was a beautiful day - no rain. Tomorrow we hope to spend the day at Sylvan Beach.

The adventure begins again....

August 11, 2008
I returned to Sodus Point on Friday, August 8th and joined Jim on Kismet which has been on a mooring in Sodus Bay (see picture!). The weekend was filled with celebrations and goodbyes with all of our wonderful friends from Katlynn Marine. Everyone said that they had had enough Going Away Parties and we better leave by Monday! So we did. What a wonderful start we had. Great ride to Oswego, then we entered the locks on the Oswego Canal. We were both very nervous....but handled the task just fine. No damage through 5 locks. We tied up for the night on a wall in Fulton NY. Jim describes the day as "a trip to Disneyworld"; he is so.....happy. Went out to dinner for a first night treat, and then walked to Price Chopper to pick up essentials with our new backpacks. We felt like foreigners on holiday in Fulton, NY!

August 3, 2008 - A Day to reflect on the life of Sid Abrams

August 3, 2008
We said good-bye to my Dad early this morning; October 15, 1918 - August 3, 2008. He will be remembered by all who knew him as a loving, kind, generous man, who always had a smile on his handsome face.