We have been anchored at Atlantic Highlands, NJ since early Friday afternoon, Sept 8th (N 40’ 24.99, W074’ 01.45). We are waiting probably until Thursday or Friday for high wind/waves due to the effects from hurricane Florence to move past so we can make the open Atlantic crossing of New Jersey to Delaware Bay. We can’t take the NJ inside passage since we draw more than 5 feet and the bridges have a limiting height of 35’. So, we are learning to be patient with Mother Nature.
Since the last blog entry we have become a sailboat again. We motored/ sailed down the Hudson River and safely visited NYC. This leg is where the learning curve goes way up since we encounter tides/currents, NYC massive marine traffic and try to cross NJ via the Atlantic prior to entering Delaware Bay and finally, the Chesapeake Bay.
Thoughts:
– We left Waterford, NY, made our way through the Troy Federal lock on Hudson River prior to going to Catskill (Riverview Marina) to re-step our mast. We worked like dogs for 1-1/2 days getting her ready to sail again. You always have some challenges when putting it back together. Trying to remember how and where everything gets hooked up is one of them, especially as we age!
– Then we anchored or moored outside Catskill, Poughkeepsie Yacht Club, Garrison Yacht Club and finally to Nyack Boat Club all for around $25. If there is alot of rain, you need to get out of the rivers near Catskill as they flood and dead trees will come floating down from the mountains. While at the GYC we took the dinghy across the river to see West Point and took in a free concert and fireworks display celebrating the end of the concert series, which are held every Sunday from Memorial through Labor Days.
– We miss our friends/family even though having a good time. We enjoy talking to you and receiving emails. Keep them coming!
– We were surprised not to find more cruisers going south until now. I guess it multiplies once we get to the Chesapeake area.
– The Hudson River was majestic with eagles, quaint towns and Catskill Mountains.
– The Atlantic tide reaches all the way up the Hudson River to Troy, NY,154 statue miles and has an almost two knot current both ways, twice daily.
– The thrill of sailing under the George Washington Bridge with the backdrop of the Manhattan skyline is hard to describe! Thrilling, and yet humbling! Others that came before us can relate to this.
– The people watching and site seeing at NYC is amazing. It can be overwhelming and exciting at the same time. We moored at the 79th Street Boat Basin for the cheapest rent in town @ $30/night or $180/week. It was great. We had no problems with boat wakes and it’s close to Central Park, groceries and access to the subway, which is very easy to use. We stayed here 2 days and came home each night dog tired as we tried to take in all the sites.
– While anchored at Atlantic Highlands we met some other sailors who were driving into NYC on Sunday, and invited us to tag along. It would have almost been easier to take the boat back up as we hit gridlock traffic and got lost several times. BUT it was great fun. We were able to see 9/11 ground zero with all sorts of events to give tribute to its 5 year anniversary.
– Rose is trying to get used to salt water. I don’t want to touch it or put it on Sojourn for all the rust I hear gets created on the stainless. Maybe it’s because the water isn’t a pretty blue yet.
– The effects of Hurricane Florence extend a lot further than we would have ever imagined! We thought we could do an overnight to Atlantic City but the wind and seas and forecast was wrong. The Canadian high and Florence are converging. The stress of this crossing is showing up in my body – I need a massage! And so, we are learning to be patient!
– Atlantic Highlands (last stop before crossing NJ via the Atlantic) is a good spot to provision and cheapest spot to obtain fuel ($2.86/gal). It’s amazing how this could be called cheap when 2 yrs ago we paid $1.25.