June 15, 2009

Happy Flag Day, everyone! We're baaaaaaack...... It's been a bit of a hiatus—as promised. And now June is not only here, 'tis nearly ½ passed........ Most of the past few weeks have been spent in Newburgh. We left Hampton Roads on a Thursday morning and docked at the Crazy Crab in Reedville around 5. It was the day before Memorial Day weekend, and the restaurant wasn't open for the season yet so we walked 'uptown' and had a very nice dinner at Anthony's. Friday we continued up the Chesapeake and tied up north and east of Baltimore in Warton Creek. Saturday we went thru the Chesapeake-Delaware Canal and anchored in the Cohansey River, ½ way down the Delaware Bay. Sunday, day four, found us romping thru the Cape May Canal to the Atlantic Ocean where we hung a left, and another left at Atlantic City where we spent the night. Off and running offshore again on Monday and the powers that be pushed us thru a blinding fog at 9 knots. Our radar was amazing—everything turned out to be exactly where it belonged! We set our horn, too and it blasted every two minutes. Neat. In the mid-afternoon the fog lifted and we were able to see our way through the New York Harbor, and at dusk we once again slid past the CLEARWATER and tied up at the 79th Street Boat Basin. I kept my shoes on my feet this time, and on Tuesday morning we walked to Zabar's for a real New York Bagel. CAROLYNN ANN had been running just ahead of us, and Joe and Punk lingered in Tarrytown to let us catch up. We rode together up the magnificent Hudson River for photo ops at West Point and Bannerman's island, then anchored side by side at Cold Spring. A troop of cub scouts were having an outing on the beach—despite a light drizzle—and it was a beautiful evening. Next morning, we stopped at 'home'--Newburgh, and the Picas went on to Hyde Park to tie up at the Poughkeepsie Yacht Club. We got together for dinner at High Point Circle, and again for dinner—a much more elegant fare—at the Culinary Institute of America. We were happy to share the history and grandeur of the Hudson Valley with a member of the Great Harbor 'family'. Who knows, maybe one day there'll be a rondevoux in the area. This might have been a good year--it is the 400th Anniversary of Henry Hudson's initial trip up the river that bears his name. A reproduction of his HALF MOON, escorted by the CLEARWATER and our old friend the MYSTIC WHALER, among others, stopped in Newburgh and now is ranning ahead of us up the river. YOUNG AMERICA remained tied up at the Front Street Marina for two full weeks. Unexpected events kept us busy both on and off the boat, and it was Thursday, June 11before we turned in our gate key and tossed off the lines. First stop was our old stomping grounds, Certified Marine, in the Rondout Creek at Kingston. How fun to see PLAN B—the newly re-named houseboat that for 20 years was YOUNG AMERICA. Bob and Fran, the new owners couldn't be happier with her and have made some wonderful changes and upgrades. We also saw and chatted with Bob and Lynn aboard LEGRACE, our docking mates in the Dismal Swamp Canal. Our second stop has also turned out to be longer than we planned. This will be our third night anchored in the Catskill Creek where it is just too beautiful to leave. We've spent some time with Jen, Chris and family—even got grandchildren Casey and Becca a dinghy ride today! We've cleaned the boat inside and out, and have just enjoyed being here. Our Great Loop burgee is fluttering, though, reminding us that we want to have many days like this in Canada and the Great Lakes, so tomorrow (Monday) we'll be off—heading for Troy, NY and the first of the Locks in our Loop! Till next week then, be well. And please remember to share lots of love and laughter! Linda and Fred