5 long days with no blogging. Here we go

Thursday Sept 25, 2008
First Anchorage Foiled
This morning we got up to fog that we watched roll in and then roll out in about an hours time. Said good bye to Mike and headed out from Riverview our home for three days. Mike is an excellent proprietor and we were grateful for having meet him and his crew. The scenery on this part of the Hudson is magnificent. Mountains in the background and quaint cities and towns along the way. We decided to photograph some of the numerous lighthouses. Some of the homes on the river are gigantic. Way beyond middle class if you know what I mean. Larry had decided we should head to a marina at New burgh which had fixed his engine a few years ago when they were coming back on another trip.
When we arrived around 4:00 pm there was no response to our hailing them so we moved down the river to Torches Restaurant docks. They wanted $2.00 per foot. Dick and I decided that was too much as we did not need anything but the dock so we headed over to Pollepel Island where there is a castle ruin called Banner man to anchor behind the island. There was a lot of weeds, current and winds from a storm coming in off the Atlantic. After several attempts to hold the boat into the wind Dick and I decided this was an ambitious feat for two people who had done little anchoring and we decided to head back to the Restaurant Docks. We radioed our comrades and they were happy to hear that we were coming back in. When we arrive Maxine meet us with a glass of wine and Kathy brought down a supper of chicken wings and veggies. There is nothing more heart warming than the camaraderie of sailors returning to Port when there is a storm coming and everyone thinks you are nuts for leaving a safe port. Dick went up to pay his $66.00 and they guy who takes the cash was no where to be found. Most of the docks here are floating and to night with the surge the waves are coming up under them. The wind is getting stronger and by midnight they are expecting rain and with that flooding. Apparently the night we weathered the tail of Ike they lot 5 power boats here to flooding. If we sleep it will not be much more than the night we sat threw the tail end of Ike.
Friday September 26, 2008
Our tie up at Torches was on a current and Poor Grace C was lying in the wrong direction and she stressed out her lines and bumpers all night. The docks are floating so the rise and fall of the tide is not an issue. When the tide changed direction it was the most incredible force I have ever experience. One minute you are riding her out one way and the next minute you are in a completely different movement.
It had poured rain threw the night and with all the jerking it was inevitable that she would open up a few leaks. Every story I have ever read told us there would be days like this so we took if for what it was. Really only about three areas and small leaks so we are grateful to be in our boat that we have.
The Kentners decided to go to a hotel and Dick and I laid down to get some sleep as the incoming tide was better to rest in. This was the first time in a month we had been confined to quarters and I was content to have time for the rest and relaxation. We were very glad we had swallowed our pride and returned to the docks. Around 2:00 pm Kathy showed up in a life preserver to maneuver the dock and she had a car and keys. The woman headed out to do some errands and when we did we spotted a tourist attraction which was a Headquarters for George Washington (one of 150 he had but this one was overlooking the River at New burgh. This was the headquarters where George Washington signed the Treaty with Britain to end the War of 1812.
What a claim to fame. We motored back to get the men and Maria (Kathy's granddaughter) to come for our first Tour. After the tour we had a fun day of going shopping and fulfilling errands we needed to do. Many thanks to Kathy and Larry for providing the resources to enjoy our stay in New burgh
Foot notes to the Tour – History buffs
Apparently George secured the home they used from a Dutch widow who moved out and allowed the army to use her place. The tour guide mentioned that the colonists were not small people. The doors were a Dutch design that opened ¾ of the way down to keep animals out and kids in. The room where the secretaries and scribes was really interesting to me. They would answer hundreds of letters and George wanted a copy of everything that was sent out which meant duplicates. The furniture was very portable and they lived out of suitcases but the part that moved me the most was when she told us about the Purple Hearts. She had one copy of one and it was purple fabric with white embroidery. Apparently George Washington only gave out three of them. While we were waiting for the tour to begin we meet a gentleman who was a recipient of a purple heart
for his efforts in Korea. It was interesting to meet him and share with him about Uncle Dick. When she handed the heart to me I broke into tears. Very moving.
Saturday September 27, 2008
Headed out with all the crews. Apparently Maxine had a blast at the Hotel and there is huge anticipation about getting to New York. Our original plan was to head for the mooring balls at 79th Street in New York. As plans usually go on this trip we renegotiated the day with our fellow sailors. One of the rationals was this was the week-end and there would be more balls available during the week and the second was the weather. Larry took the lead and we successfully managed our first anchor with only a few not so appropriate adjectives at Tarrytown on the Hudson. When we approached the Anchorage the yachtsmen were racing. We got settled and FM went below to lay on couch and pout for a minute. It was quiet on deck and I asked Dick what he was doing and he said watching the race, well that struck me very funny. For a month now we have been racing to get to the coast for many reasons and the first opportunity that would avail him to relax and what does he do. Watch a race!!!!!!!
My gaphas are resonating in the hills of Tarrytown to this day.
Sunday September 28, 2008
Made it to the Big Apple
Well our first milestone is past. We arrived in New York City to day and there were no mooring balls available at the 79th Street Marina but they let us anchor there. Bye the time we got the hook set we were back up to around 134th street. Larry and Kathy had already blown up their dinghy so we used it for a taxi to get us to shore. We opted to head down to Time Square and Dined out at Bubba Gumps.
The streets were crowded and so much to see. Toured a few stores and headed back to the boat around 11:00 pm. Abit of a worry as to whether the hook held alright. The shore line is a glow with light all over the place. This is like a dream. I have to keep pinching myself.
Monday September 29, 2008
Girls hit the Big Apple
Our whole win tour started after we got the boats moved to a ball about 11:00 am. Wind and current made it very difficult for Dick and I as it was my first time. Three trys and I had a bleeding hand from
rope burn. Wind and current was in cross purposes. Larry came out in the dinghy to help me. So frustrating and nothing I could do to change the situation. Had a good cry and then carried on and headed for our day that had been planned to start at 9:00 a.m.
Went to Central Park 5th Ave, Designer Stores American Doll, Saks, Canal Street District. Returned to the boat tonight and discovered we had WiFi