Sunrise comes early on the Hudson in June — and we are fortunate to have so much sun these days. It does require adjustment. (Indeed, underway life requires various biological adjustments–and emotional ones, too.) The sun rises now at 5:19 a.m. here in upper New York State. So it is that this Looper, who prefers to write at night when it’s quiet and wake when my body is ready, gets up by 6 a.m. Jeff always wakes before me and is always eager to move on — so we left Kingston early (by my standards) and headed back into the Hudson. The tide was still against us so our progress was very slow — about 5 mph — for hours. It took nearly eight hours to go 41 miles. But it was a beautiful and relaxing eight hours. Photos and captions of Day 308, below.
Before leaving Kingston, Jeff had one more conversation on the dock with friends he made in Solomons Island (Md.) while I was in Egypt. Greg and Kay on Superior Passage are from Duluth, Minn., also in the far-north, not far from Michigan’s Upper Peninsula. I think their neighbors may be my cousins. The “big loop-small world” effect continues!Pulling away from our dock at Kingston’s Ole Savannah restaurant in the bright sunshine. (lt’s bright before 6 a.m.)Leaving the waterfront of Kingston, N.Y., behind.Passing decrepit ship hulls in the channel as we leave Kingston. One wonders what their lives were like before they ended up on the riverbank. Where did they travel and what did they carry? (And how long will they stay here? Until they finally rust completely and sink to the bottom?)Heading further north, we passed the Catskill Mountains. I skiied in some small ski areas in these mountains years ago. They sure are beautiful from the river. Superior Passage, a Camano Troll, passed us later in the day. They waited to leave until the tide was more favorable.
We have no idea what this stone structure on the riverbank used to be, but it sure is picturesque!
Winds were light and waters calm all day. (Until just before we pulled into the marina.)Since the weather was so nice, Jeff drove from the flybridge. I took a short stint at the helm, too.A cargo ship meets us as we approach the Hudson River Skyway (NY23). We know ocean-going vessels come up the Hudson but haven’t seen many. Passing the Hudson City Light. Superior Passage took this pic of Many Moons as she passed us on the Hudson River.We decided to take a slip at Shady Harbor Marina in New Baltimore (N.Y.) rather than anchor out nearby so we could visit with other Loopers. This was a $90 decision (slip cost), but socializing is part of The Great Loop. We al Iso filled the fuel tanks here, paying $6.95/gal, the highestof the trip so far. It’s still a good deal when considering what hotels cost.
Seven other Looping boats were in this marina with us.
I haven’t attended a “docktails” in months, although Jeff attended a few in Solomons Island. (“Docktails” is the term Loopers use for “cocktails-on-the-dock,” though you can bring whatever you want in your glass).Many Moons dockside at Shady Harbor Marina, New Baltimore (N.Y.) The water is calm here, but the wind picked up just as we arrived and pushed us away from the dock. I was glad for dockhand help. (This boat has one engine and no thruster, which is unusual on The Loop and makes docking trickier. Jeff prides himself in his “old-school” approach, and I respect him for it, but it does make my job trickier too.)A tug pushed a barge by the marina, highlighting the narrowness of the river here. Sunset at Shady Harbor Marina, looking south down the Hudson River. The restaurant at Shady Harbor looked well-run and busy on this Friday night. It made me wonder why a waterfront restaurant near my house, near Washington D.C., is chronically closing and reopening under new management. Good management is everything! In business and elsewhere.
For Many Moons 