Layday at Haverstraw June 3rd

So Nana and Nandad did explore and found a lovely park right around from the Marina. Haverstraw Bay Park had the most moving memorial for Veterans and Rocklanders lost during 911.

The very large beam from the North Tower is mounted just in front of this plaque. The cement is from the pentagon and the earth from Shanksville PA. It is also surrounded by a monument naming those lost.

After a wonderful dinner on deck And after watching the sun go down Nana had to capture that beautiful sculpture at the entrance of the Marina all light up. Unfortunately just as the photo was taken Nana went to lean on the rail forgetting that it was opened for access to the dock,,,,,Down she went and ended up with lots of bruises etc 

Here is the picture! The cell phone remained in Nana’s hand however the right wrist took the load and ended up fractured. The next day it was off to the ER at Nyack. The NP, Nurse and MD at the hospital were amazing and sent Nana on her way with a cast, arm sling, splint for the finger and medication. 

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Cruising the Hudson River June 2nd

Nana is aware that Nandad has provided the link for nebo ( a tracking app for boaters ) OneLink.To however in the interest of those who may not have downloaded the app here is a view of the Hudson up to Kingston. It is 155 miles from the Statue of Liberty to Troy ( you won’t see Troy on this map - that will be tomorrows blog ) . Today’s cruising was a total of 35 miles as NH left the high rise buildings behind while passing the magnificent 300 to 500 foot thickly wooded Palisades to its port and Yonkers to its starboard. A very picturesque sight indeed. Cruising under the George Washington Bridge ,with its double deck of traffic , seemed a world away while we enjoyed the slow pace of the River.

The very large white sculpture in the Newport section of Jersey City  of a Women’s head with eyes closed and with her index finger at her lips certainly captures the artist intention of silent contemplation and self reflection. Nana had no idea what this was and was grateful for google!

While cruising past Pier 57 - Pier 88 where the Aviation Museum sits along side the Intrepid Nana was reminded of the Miracle on the Hudson. 
On January 15th 2009 Captain Sully landed Flight 1549 - after it was struck by a flock of geese - safely on the icy river saving all 155 people on board. Amazing bravery.

NH arrived at Haverstraw at 1pm just in time for a heavy downpour. We will explore the area once the rain stops. The scenery is breathtaking with mountains and hills surrounding the marina. Another interesting sculpture marks the entrance.Take note of our looper flag.

NH anchors at Lady Liberty June 1st

Words really do not describe the experience of cruising your own boat through New York City’s massive buildings, bridges, and structures. The helmsperson needs to pay attention due to the barges, water taxes, tug boats and other boat traffic , while also being mindful of the tide and current. So many pictures to take so a select few will capture the moments.

Quite the sight to watch the Roosevelt Island Tramway passing right over our heads.

Another interesting photo opportunity was the carousel close to the new marina One 15 Brooklyn. This is where Nana and Nandad should have stayed and we would have avoided the rocking and rolling at anchorage! Ah well the joys of boating.

 

However our ultimate goal was achieved despite a very uncomfortable evening it was fascinating to be right behind the Statue of Liberty with Ellis Island on our bow. We had a wonderful tasty crock pot dinner and for a few hours due to thunder, lightening, and heavy rain, were unable to see the surrounding skyline. However all was worth it in the end - as usual - the water calmed down, the weather improved and a restful sleep as had by all. Next time Nana and Nandad will maybe pay more attention to the weather report ! Not a great picture but it captures the moment - before the storm! 

Lady Liberty surrounded by the night lights.

New Horizon cruises to Manhasset Bay, NY

This morning as we were heading out on our journey Bridget was right there waving goodbye. She lives right at the other side of the yacht club and has a most fabulous view. Today was the perfect day to cruise Long Island Sound with the wind, tide and current in our favor. As Nana was resting on the bow of the boat she took a picture of the horizon while a catamaran sailed past enjoying the perfect breeze. ( Apologies for the picture quality.) Capturing the moment is not always easy on a boat!

Cruising into Manhasset Bay , which is surrounded by mansion after mansion, is quite the treat. The waterfront towns of Sands Point, Manorhaven, Port Washington, Plandome, Great Neck and Kings Point wrap around the bay. After securing NH in her dock space Nana and Nandad decided to walk into Port Washington not realizing it would be a three mile walk in 90 degree weather , with little shade in site. However , our reward was a wonderful lunch at Louie’s Grille  and Liquors right on the waterfront. As it turned out this was our celebrity luncheon after receiving funds from the sale of Irelands Eye. Nana and Nandad are once again a one boat owner and boy does that feel good. We hope that the new owners enjoy her as much as we did.  

The water taxi picked us up right at the restaurant dock and brought us on a harbor cruise. The best part was we were dropped off right at the dock at Safe Harbor - what service. A beautiful evening watching the boats come in and out of the harbor. The sunsets right over one of the homes on Sands Point. Tomorrow NH will cruise into New York City and possibly anchor beside Lady Liberty - this time flying the Looper flag. 

NH heads to Milford Yacht Club

Nana and Nandad woke up to a beautiful calm morning leaving Fisher Island for Milford CT . Along the way Nana is reminded why we tell our children and grandchildren to watch and dispose of balloons carefully. Nana switched course this morning to avoid what she thought was a lobster pot but instead turned out to be one of those helium balloons!!This happened again approaching Niantic Bay but that time there was a bunch of three balloons. Let’s hope the whale that was reported to be in the area decided not to swallow them up! Nana was waiting with her camera but Unfortunately NH did not get an encounter with the whale.

The cruise to Milford was just picture perfect with a steady speed of 10 knots and almost 2 knots of current NH and Nana were very content and Nandad was happy about fuel consumption. 

Nana and Nandad had a wonderful afternoon and evening with Bridget and family. A short launch drive across the harbor took us right to Bridget’s house. Like most people it has been too long since we gathered together as a family. Sharing food, memories, and chit chat was much over due. This is the view that Bridget sees right from her back porch. As the sun goes down over the harbor Nana and Nandad are feeling very grateful for the opportunity to enjoy all that cruising brings. 

Tomorrow NH heads for Safe Harbor Capri at Port Washington. 

(Temporary Backup) Newport RI to Fisher Island NY

Cruising is all about having a cocktail after 5 pm in preparation for dinner and sunset. The wind picked up in Newport Harbor in the late afternoon and just as Nana and Nandad were settling with appetizers and drinks Nana was wrapping the blanket around herself to keep warm when suddenly a gust of wind swept across the stern of the boat and there went the large glass of Rose Wine!! Another reminder of the pleasures of boating. 

Sunday morning is such a perfect morning for our cruise to Fisher Island. An early start to the day is necessary in order to catch favorable tides and current. Newport harbor looks its best as NH leaves with The Oliver Hazard Perry at its dock in Fort Adams.

The perfect morning to view Hammersmith Farm and Castle Hill Inn in all their glory from the ocean.

NH leaves the harbor at 7.15am heading to Galilee for fuel. With fuel prices so high every saving counts. At $5.50 a gallon NH is cruising at the comfortable speed of 10knts. The swells are three feet high so the ride is a little uncomfortable but the view of Block Island to our port and the Coastline along Block Island Sound passing Point Judith, Weekapaug Point and Watch Hill makes up for the bumpy ride. Also Nana stays at the helm so that always helps- with a cup of tea!

At 12.45 pm the anchor is set and NH is ready for a relaxing afternoon. Brunch of scrambled eggs, bacon and fresh bread was such a treat. The afternoon was spent trying to get the engine for the dingy to start, hoisting the dodger, cleaning the salt from the rails and of course taking the time to enjoy the sailboats sail past and the power boats causing their wakes as they head into the dock. Nana was careful not to loose her cocktail to the wind or wakes. A beautiful sunset and quite evening on lovely Fishers Sound.

There are lots of sailboats anchored at Fisher. New Horizons flag will be lowered in just a few more minutes. Sunset is 8.10pm. Tomorrow Nana and Nandad are heading to Milford Yacht Club where we hope to meet Bridget who we have not seen since last May 2021.

New Horizon begins her 2022 adventures

April 23rd NH left Newport Yacht Club for repairs at NEB in Portsmouth. After five weeks and lots of attention - and frustration - she is on the lift and ready to be splashed. She is beautifully waxed and polished with rub rail repaired from damage during a storm at Newport. A new Davit System for easier dinghy assess, swim platform adjusted, two hundred feet of anchor rode added to the already one hundred feet of chain, and four new house batteries. We are indeed ready for our cruising agenda.

 Nana and Nandad  attended the AGLCA spring rendezvous in Norfolk VA which was so much fun and really prepared us for the next phase of our cruising. We have lots of manuals, guidebooks etc and with our new heavy duty fenders ( and big rubber gloves ) feeling prepared for the locks along the way.  NH will leave Newport tomorrow morning for Fischer Island. Nana and Nandad plan to cruise 40 to 50 miles a day taking our time to get to the Hudson River. So excited for our journey which we hope will take us into the Erie Canal, Lake Ontario, Rideau River, Ottawa River, Montreal, St Lawerence River and Quebec City. Lots to explore.