From Cape May to Newburgh, NY on the Hudson River

Chris here

We have to back up a bit...

Friday, May 20   Cape May, NJ

After a week waiting for decent weather we left Utsch's Marina on Friday at 5:18am in the company of five other craft heading north.  Before we leave, however we must share a picture of Wayne, the friendly dockmaster.

Wayne was a good sport

 
Cape May Inlet had about 4-6 foot swell  but we were expecting it to be a little bumpy as leftovers from the earlier bad weather.   We were bundled up so no one got cold.  Linda and I gave our new jackets a good test out.  As we left the inlet we were wished fair seas by several dolphins...always a good sign.

The Belle was not making wonderful time due to the waves and the weather was starting to deteriorate so we decided to split our trip up to Sandy Hook into two legs.   We ducked into Absecon Inlet at 11:01 and arrived at Sen Farley State Marina in front of the old Trump Casino at 12:00. 

No good signs at this marina because Trump has sold it and it's under refurbishment.

  Linda and Kerm took a nap but I crossed the street to the casino and quickly lost $20 on the slot machines...napping would have been much more productive.   We all went to Harrah's a little later and Linda won on the Roulette wheel!  Rain, thunder and lightning came along and we were glad we had made the decision to call it a day.


Saturday, May 21

We woke up early to get a good start and were back on the North Atlantic by 5:30am.  The weather was much better and we sighted lots of dolphins so we knew it would be a good day.

Linda enjoying the North Atlantic

Kerm enjoying the North Atlantic

We were all impressed with the miles and miles of sandy beaches we observed as we skirted the New Jersey coast line.  Now we understand why people vacation on the 'Jersey Shore'.  Linda drove for lots of the day but once when I was at the wheel I think I saw a shark.  Black fin and a grizzly looking mouth.  

We put on 85.6 miles in a 13.7 hour day so we were glad to see Old Orchard Shoal Lighthouse off Staten Island at 6:02. We docked at Nichols Great Kills Marina at 6:33pm, happy to have made it through the inlet at Sandy Hook which was pretty rough.. 

Old Orchard Shoal Lighthouse

Warren watching a pretty sunset on Staten Island

Linda treated us to a Pizza delivered from "Big Al's " and it was piled high with good veggies and meats...the whole works except for fruit and fishies.  We wondered if the guy would ever get to us...we were starving and called several times to make sure he had not forgotten us.

The engine was running a little hotter than normal so Linda and I thought we were going to stay over for a little maintenance but...

Sunday, May 22

Linda and I woke up to the sound of Frank Sinatra singing "New York, New York" via Kerm's computer.  The captain threw us a curve ball and said we were leaving right away...Linda said from her berth..."I wish I'd known that before three drinks last night".   I agreed but figured a first mate should just hush up and get dressed.

Linda and Warren greeting the day

Warren proving we actually were in Staten Island, this marina was pretty ghetto so no signs

The anxious captain...New York or Bust

  By 8:00 am we had cleared the Old Orchard Lighthouse again and entered New York's Lower Harbor.  Unfortunately, the weather was drizzle and a light mist, the seas were rough and we were dodging big container ships.  A little hairy!!!!

Warren looking at the rear end of a tanker we had just ducked behind

We also saw a tall ship  called "Gazela", complete with sailors in the yardarms.

Verrazano Narrows Bridge  cleared at 9:14

Misty Manhattan Skyline

Linda and Lady Liberty

The Statue of Liberty and the Staten Island Ferry

We waved at her for all of you

George Washington Bridge cleared at 11:53

We kept on going north into the Hudson River and went past Sing Sing Penitentiary and West Point. By this time, the river was calm and we picked up a good push from the tides so we made it all the way to Newburgh by 5.20 and landed at the RiverFront Marina with a minimum of fuss.  What an exciting day for all of us.  We celebrated at Billy Jo's Ribworks Restaurant which was right next to the marina.