R Island: June 3-9, 2015 Croton On Hudson, NY

We've been in Jersey City, just across the Hudson River from Manhattan, for a week and had a great time visiting NY City; but it's time to move on to a simpler and quieter way of life. Today we head for Croton On Hudson (COH) NY, about 40 miles north along the Hudson River.

It was overcast when we awoke, but no fog or rain with a light wind out of the north. We eased out of our slip and down the canal into the Hudson - felt like the little frog in the old video game "Frogger" just trying to stay alive on the freeway! Ferry boats from every direction and a couple of large ships thrown in for good measure. Waves from all directions and our key to survival was patience and anticipation. The ferry boats move at least 5-6 times faster than we do, so you have to anticipate where they are going and when to be out of their way. Both of us were at the upper helm station and Judie just called out every boat she saw and where it was coming from. Then Ger could plan on how to avoid it. Hugging an imaginary line just outside and parallel to the main channel seemed to work well except at ferry docks when we moved farther away from shore.

One World Trade as we left the Marina

George Washington Bridge

Palisades on the western shore as we traveled north.

Anyway, after about an hour and a half of this, all got quiet and we cruised peacefully past rock cliffs/palisades, under the Geo. Washington and Tappan Zee Bridges and into suburban NY. The river is still pretty wide, seems like 3/4 of a mile, and very little boat traffic as few ferry boats don't come this far north and the ships are big enough to easily keep track of. Half Moon Bay Marina at Croton On Hudson (COH) was still repairing ice damage from the extra cold winter and half of the slips were empty. Understaffed but helpful dock master did all he could to help in any way.

Day 2: Mike and Ger rented a car and drove back to Delaware City to retrieve Mike's car- a little over 3.5 hours each way. Went to a great little Italian place for diner and brought half our food home. In Judie's case she had ordered a personal pizza - and they brought a large one - she had leftovers for both of us for 2 meals!

Day 3: We left early to see the Rockefeller estate north of Tarrytown; but, with no advance purchase tickets in hand, would have had to wait 3 hours for a tour. Lesson learned. We crossed the river and headed north to West Point - the Army Military Academy. Easy to get a tour here and we were on the next bus for 2 hours of education. The building are all made from a medium gray stone and most of them look like old castles (especially from the water when we cruised past 5 days later). The terrain in hilly and it splits up the place and makes it difficult to get a sense of the entire campus. Still, very impressive and makes you proud that it is there and for you to be there!

Ft. Putnam - erected to stop the British from sailing down the river to NY City

The Chapel

Overlooking the Hudson

Firsties planning for plebes

From the river

Day 5: It's Sunday and we slept in a little, had a light breakfast and Judie joined Mike and Lois for a visit to the COH Street Fair. Mostly geared to smaller children but they browsed and had lunch. The hotdogs they got at the local church were "pencil thin" but tasted good. Chocolate brownies for desert saved the day. Ger was not feeling great and stayed at the boat for a nap - that was a miracle - must have been tired. Had a nice steak dinner aboard Inch-N-Along.

Day 6: One last trip back into NY City. We caught the early train to Grand Central Terminal, stopped for coffee and caught a cab to the American Museum of Natural History. Went straight to the top floor and the dinosaurs exhibit! Lots of skeletons, too many species to mention and many unusual ones including turtles, large fish, and many wooly types. Had lunch on site and after a 3-D movie on small creatures (partly about a small scorpion mouse in the Sonoran dessert - made us home sick) made our way to the "Hall of Human Origins". Here, for the first time, Ger finally understood the development of the species and the timing. How few years we have really been here. Nothing compared to the Dino's and the plants and rocks! Just getting started if we don't go extinct like many species before us. Anyway - great day! Back in the cab, onto the train, and into the car for a trip back to the Italian restaurant!