Barely Monday morning. (It's 11:14 am as I begin to write--may be tomorrow before I finish) And a few weeks since last I wrote. So here's what's up. At the end of the June 15 message we were just south of Ocean City, NJ and fighting with the NJ boaters and the NJ ICW. The Waterway from Cape May to Ocean City is shallow, narrow and totally twisted. Not to mention full of boaters. [Some of whom are also twisted, per Fred.] While it is really great to see NJ boaters out enjoying the water, it was far from a relaxing ride for us. So when the Waterway Guide (the Road Atlas for boaters) suggested that many people go out in the Atlantic Ocean for the 8 mile run from Ocean City to Atlantic City, we jumped right on that idea. Young America was very happy to have more than just a few feet of water under her keel, and it was a good 'trial' run in the Ocean for us--in sight of shore, short, and, just to keep our interest up, the weatherman said thunderstorms were approaching. We motored into Atlantic City and tied up at the Trump Marina--adjacent to the Casino. By the time we'd parlayed my $20 into $30 (not the $500K I'd dreamed of for the UU Church, but enough to apply to one of the worst buffet dinners we've ever had anywhere) and returned to the boat, the marina was filling up with boats and the rain began. It was, indeed, a dramatic thunder and lightning show, and by morning the sky was blue and the ocean called. So off we went and the next thing we knew we were approaching the New York Harbor! Big boats everywhere! Ferries, Cruise ships, barges and tugs--and when we'd gotten thru the busy part of the commercial area, there were sailboats racing east to west and back again across the Hudson. Skipper Fred 'sailed' YA through the melee without interrupting anyone's run! We tied up in the Liberty Landing Marina--just past the Statue, and once again Tarryn came to our rescue. This time she was with her mom, Kris, and together we jumped in the car to get home to Newburgh. (Fred and I had appointments in Nbg. on Wed. am). Friday morning we picked up grandson JT and drove back to the boat (in a one way rental car) for the splendid run up the Hudson River to Newburgh. The Hudson truly is magnificent and we enjoyed the beauty as well as the familiarity! Molly and Jeff picked up JT in Newburgh--we were tied up at Front Street--just outside the River Grill, scene of our marriage nearly 4 years ago. Sat. am we got an early enough start that we were able to anchor at the mouth of Rondout Creek for a half hour and put up the big flag (see prior message) and tie a stream of signal flags from stem to stern to 'dress up' YA. We made our triumphal run up the Creek to Certified Marine where Young America the Houseboat has been docked for nearly 20 years, and we arrived on Saturday, June 21 at 1:15 pm-- exactly the time we'd predicted! The band was playing Anchors Aweigh and 40+ friends and relatives were at the dock to say hello to our dream come true. It was a great afternoon--spitting rain didn't daunt the festive atmosphere. Fred spoke appropriate words about the boat and I broke a bottle of bubbly on her anchor (not the fiberglass bow where it might chip). For the next three weeks, we operated from our “Vacation home” at High Point Circle, spending time at the Marina as needed to make Young America ship-shape for the next leg of the 2 year adventure! More to follow! Linda and Fred