Croton, NY to Norwalk CT

We left Half-moon Bay Marina a little later than usual to let showers pass and to arrive at Hell's Gate at slack tide. The trip down the Hudson River was not ideal due to the less than perfect morning weather and heavy barge traffic in both directions. Thankfully, the Spuyten Duyvil bridge was open and the trip through the Harlem River quick.

Traffic as we entered Hell's Gate made it just that. A flotilla of small sail boats, perhaps 15 or 20 took advantage of the slack tide to make their way south down the East River while two large barges were heading east to Long Island Sound and two headed south all converged at Hell's Gate just as we got there. It was like going up the down staircase during rush hour.

In Long Island Sound the weather cleared as we passed Execution Rock and had a pleasant run to Sheffield Harbor, Norwalk CT.

Our day ended with lobster cobb salad on the deck of the Sunset Grill at Norwalk Cove Marina.

Kingston, NY and Croton-On-Hudson

We left Coeyman's Landing yesterday morning and headed to Roundout Creek in Kingston, NY. This is our fourth time covering this leg of the trip so there is little new and the run was unremarkable.

That said it is always nice to view the scenery along the way. Since we've blogged about this part of our journey in 2012 Mini-Loop I'll leave it at that.

Our night at Roundout Yacht Basin was unusual in that we were the only transients. At this point in the season, this is the low period between the northern migration of Loopers and the southern flow of Snowbirds.  Normally the docks would be alive with regulars and transient, but there were no mid-week over-niters, so we had the entire place to ourselves. It was so quiet. Not a sound, not  a wave slap, not a wake the whole night. A little like being home in East Haddam.

This morning we headed out to Croton-on-Hudson, 42 nm run through, what I consider, the best part of the Hudson River outside of New York City - the Hudson Highlands.

Waterford to Coeyman's Landing

Waterford Harbor docks has an ugly side. The low cost of docking with electric for a one time charge of $10 and a lack of enforcement of the 48 hour rule has attracted homeless and dead-beat boaters. Many boats, some pretty scruffy, have been there for a week or more.

The facilities, bath and showers, are tired at best, that plus their use by non-boaters (fishermen and derelicts) and homeless boaters make them nearly unfit to use. The volunteers try hard but are generally seniors, untrained, and unable to police the docks.

Even with a forecast of thunderstorms we decided we had to move on and make the three hour run to Coeyman's Landing Marina.

We waited for the first storm to pass and hoped to be docked before the next sever thunderstorm arrived. We just made it. Then the heavens opened.

During our run, as we locked through the Troy Lock, perhaps for the last time, we noted that it had been our first in 2012 and now our 227th lock through.

Passing Albany, NY it is always interesting to see the state capital, NY State University buildings and waterfront.

Of course, being back on the Hudson River means sharing it with large barges, tugs and ships. Here is one passing the Coeyman Landing breakwater

Waterford, NY - Day Two.

Morning thunderstorms finally passed. We have had our share of rain and servere thunderstorms this trip, but for now the sun is trying to break through, at least for a while.

Summer Sundays are the time for the Waterford Farmer's Market, which sets up at the visitor's center across from the boat docks.

There were several vegetable vendors along with baked goods, local honey, maple syrup, flowers and plants and some jewelry. Maryann bought fresh corn-on-the-cob, and other vegetables for our last run down the Hudson.

 

Waterford Harbor visitor's center is just south of Lock 2, the official first lock of the Erie Canal. It is home of several antique boats and an annual "tug rendezvous".

And, there are several tour boats that will take folks for a trip to experience the locks.

Captain's Supplement:

Waterford, NY like many of the towns we have visited along the Erie Canal are almost museum-like in their faded glory. Old main streets, factories, and residences provide a glimpse into what life was like 50 to 100 years ago.

 

 

Now, passed their prime, they lack the resources to modernize and live in a state of either dead or dying.

 

Amsterdam to Waterford

We traveled along the Mohawk River from Amsterdam to Waterford, NY., transiting the last nine locks on the Erie Canal. This part of the Erie Canal is beautiful and interesting and not at all "ditch-like" as the river winds it's way to the Hudson River.

Schenectady is the largest of the cities on this part of the river and home to General Electric. Opposite GE we passed this magnificent house peeking above the trees.

I couldn't resist trying to find out what it was. A Google search showed it to be a private residence. 15,118 sq. ft., 5 bedrooms, 8.5 baths on 12.5 acres.

The wall at the Waterford Harbor Visitors Center was very crowded, and while we found a spot, we had to use all 100 ft. of  cable to reach a shore power stanchion. Once settled in ,Maryann proved once again that good food is possible without a gourmet kitchen. Baked potatoes in an electric skillet and steak on the grill. Nice.