What a difference a year makes, same heatwave but clear skies. We were going with the current this time and it was almost as if the boat could feel our excitement as we raced to NYC.
We LOVED Rondout Creek, Kingston NY last year and if you stay at the Hudson Maritime Museum dock, you get admission to the Museum and the boaters facilities are in a boat building school. Add to that a Fabulous restaurant (we did Ole Savannah last year too) AND a meet up with fellow Camano (Gold) Looper DeTour and new friends on Perfect Agenda. As is our new habit, the next day we moved on South, as everyone else headed North.
The highlight of the next day was a Looper Reunion with Alan and Susan (Abelene). We couldn’t get our “non-schedule” schedules to work for a land visit so we improvised. We met in 2021 when we started on the rivers and again in Norfolk. Looking forward to our next Loop Frog down south! We went past Bannerman’s Castle and West Point, again, so impressive in the sunshine and approaching from the north.
We arrived at Half Moon Bay Marina (again) and there is always a good sized Looper group. Brian biked in the heat to Apple Annie’s (which is really called Croton Apple Farm) for some treats and necessaries.
Remembering this is still a heatwave, Ellen’s joy at getting closer to familiar sites and smells builds with each mile. It was a long day so we had the speakers going pretty loud at one point.
We passed where we popped out of the Harlem River at Spuyten Duyvil last year. Things got busy from there as we watched the sights from The Cloisters, Grants Tomb, Riverside Park, Joan of Arc; we were making great time. Then we saw the Little Red Light House. I bought the book to share with the Grandprincesses.
We had just learned that there would be sailboat races this weekend. Just as we pulled into Liberty Landing Marina for fuel, the press boat, team boats, and race floats were being set up. They were just starting a practice race as we headed towards the Verrazzano bridge. Which I believe is still called that! 😉
Thanks to Harbor Host John, we stayed tucked away at Great Kills Yacht Club, Staten Island to be in a good position for the big trip to New Jersey.
Such great memories for us. We loved the Hudson and wintered on Great Kills. RCYC welcomed us on their mooring with great tender service. Kingston was a favorite too. Hope to catch up in Annapolis area if you’re still around in a few weeks.
Well done essay and pix!
Wow…what beautiful photos! Welcome back to the neighborhood!!! Please lmk if you’ll be making any stops again around Long Island – would love to meet-up. xoxo
Not this time, but definitely in the future