Rain Day, and Another Goodbye, Sept 8, 2012

We woke to an all day rain. Weatherman calling for thunderstorms and winds. Change of plans. We will stay put. We are tied to the wall in Fenlon Falls, we have hydro, and some good books to read. What more can you ask for.

The bikes will stay on board Guppy for the winter.

Steve and Linda are leaving this morning. They packed the car with everything from the boat that they will need to take back to Yesterday's Dream. Linda is taking the boat to the marina where Guppy will be put away for the winter. Steve drove the car to marina. Once again we are saying good bye to them. Not sure how many times we have said goodbye to these folks. Often.

Saying Goodbye Again.

They will have a nasty driving day. Their plan is to drive to Buffalo airport and pick up another rental car that they can drive all the way back to the Neuse River NC, where their daughter lives.

Goodbye, they look happy even in the rain. Rain does not deter them from their plans.

We have already made plans to hopefully be able to join them this spring at Marathon. And who knows, we may even get out to the Bahamas with them. Surona will be in her glory.

Officially Finished The Loop

We officially finished the Loop, yesterday, Tuesday, Sept 11, 2012, at 3:30 pm. We passed the red can in Midland Bay. Hurray! Never thought we would be finishing it in a trawler, when we left Midland Bay 2 years ago, Aug 15, 2010.

We are tied to the dock at the Midland Town Dock. Today we will leave to go back to get the car in NY. Then the plan is to come back to the boat and hopefully go out and enjoy Georgian Bay for awhile. We missed the summer here because of having the engine rebuilt. We thought we would return mid June, not September.

To fill in some of the blanks of the end of our journey.

The Last Supper with Steve and Linda before they left to go back to their other boat "Yesterdays Dream" in NC

We left Bobcaygeon and travelled on to Fenelon Falls, where Steve and Linda were leaving on Saturday morning to take their boat Guppy to the marina to be put up for the winter. It was a rainy and nasty day with lots of wind. We decided it was a good day to stayed tied and read books. Mom was agreeable to this.

Mom's camera is just a smoking. She helped us on the last 24 locks. She has been a real trooper. She had some tricky times in the locks, and almost lost the pole two times. But each time she held onto it. She is probably a couple inches taller now, from being stretched out.

We left Fenelon Falls and spent the next night at Lock 40, Thorah. This lock has no public access so we had complete privacy, no other boats. The only thing that disturbed our evening was a skunk. Not sure what upset him, but we had to endure his strong aroma for awhile. Phewey.

Good to be back in our Georgian Bay landscape. There is nothing like it

The next morning we locked thru and made it the 44 miles to Swift Rapids lock. Again a pretty good lock for privacy. We shared it with 2 other boats. One of the boats who frequented this lock, made a bonfire for the evening. We did not join in, as it was just too cold.

We locked thru with the first lock opening. The plan was for my sister Kathy to come and join us for Lock 44, the marine railway. Much to our surprise, my sister Wendy joined her. Wendy was supposed to be working, but she took the day off. It must have been important to her. I suggested that this was one more thing they could check off their bucket list.

Sisters Wendy and Kathy on board for Lock 44, the Marine Railway.

It was so good to have Mom, Wendy and Kathy on board for the marine railway, and part, if only such a small part of our last day of "finishing the loop."

We were tied to the Midland Town Dock by about 4:00 pm. Made some phone calls to invite friends to the boat to celebrate with champagne. We had a great evening catching up with friends and family.

Brian and Carolyn Handy, Cheers.

Mom and Debbie Laramey. And then I forgot to keep taking pictures. It was so good to see everyone again. Craig, Heather and Jacob also came to join us, but no pictures.

Technically Finished Loop in Bobcaygeon !!!! Hurray.

Mom joined us on Tuesday Sept 4th in Peterborough. She arrived in the middle of a rain storm. Peter went to get her at the bus station and brought her to the boat on the local transit bus. She looked like a bit of an exhausted, drowned rat as she boarded the boat. Think she was happy to arrive at her destination. The first thing she said was that "it's easier to get onto than the sailboat"

Steve and Linda joined us for dinner and a game of TriOminoes.

Mom's first night onboard. 

Leaving Peterborough Harbour

After a breakfast out we set out for Young's Point. We had fun with Mom aboard. She sees a lot of different things than we do. We had one lift lock at Peterborough, and 6 locks to travel before Young's Point. By the 3 lock Mom was helping to land the boat and hold the lines. There is no free ride on this boat!

Relaxing on the back deck.

Steve made dinner and brought it to our boat. Mom said it was "take out".

Claiming salvage rights.

We had breakfast on the boat and were off for a long travel day to Bobcaygeon. Only 35 miles, but when you stop for lunch, and then stop at Lovesick for some fishing it takes much longer to travel 35 miles.

I almost forgot to mention that we had to give a helping tow to "Guppy" Steve and Linda's boat. While they waited for us to get thru a lock, Steve was doing some drift fishing. When they tried to start the boat again; it would not start. In the most kind and loving way we offered to give them a tow. Glad I took this picture very quickly, because within about 15 minutes they had it fixed and wanted to be untied. We arrived at Bobcaygeon about 5:30 pm. Once we had the lines tied, Peter looked at me and said "Kiss me baby, we just finished the Loop."

The reason I said technically we finished the loop, is because we were in Bobcaygeon last summer with the 21' powerboat. So, by arriving at Bobcaygeon again ..... we have technically finished The Loop. And it only took 3 boats to do it. Surona (the sailboat), Deja Vu (the trawler) and Frankly Scarlet, (21' Sunray).

And Peter poured.

We celebrated with Champaigne and crackers and crab dip (provided by Steve) on the back deck. It seemed so appropriate that we would share it with Steve and Linda and Mom. We have probably travelled half of the Loop with Steve and Linda. They have been so much fun and helped us a great deal. Really good to share this experience with them. We also called Jim and Linda Murray to tell them of our celebration and they too were excited and liked being able to share our excitement. We then had dinner aboard Deja Vu a Shrimp Scampi Alfredo.

Celebrating "crossing our wake", Finishing The Loop. Only took 3 boats and a lot of great friends, who helped at every turn, and even offered help before we knew we needed it. Thanks All.
Pictured: L to R: Peter, Cheryl, Mom, Linda and Steve Franko.

Officially, we will cross our wake in Midland Harbour. And that will probably be Sunday afternoon.

We are making plans with sister Kathy and Wendy to join us at the Big Chute to go over the marine railway with us. This will be a bit of a task as we have over 70+ miles to go to do this. If we make a big day tomorrow and can get across Lake Simcoe; we should be able to meet them Sunday. Now that would be special.

Lock 13 to 19, Campbellford, Hastings & Peterborough, Sept 3, 4, 5th. 2012

I have been negligent in my blogging.

Peter in basement with "the ladies".

We had a very leisurely start to the day in Cambellford. I don't think we got away till about 11 am. The Perkins Ladies in the basement wanted some more attention. Peter had an epiphany. He decided to route some of the fuel lines through the pump on the fuel polisher so it would pump up the system in the hopes of eliminating the air problem that makes it so the system has to bled.  I hope I have this right. Not being a mechanical person, it makes it difficult to translate all of the mechanical mumbo jumbo into laymans terms.

The more important point is that it does seem to be working.  At least for 2 days now. If that is what it takes he will be very happy not to have to bleed the system every 3 days or so.

Double Lock.

Lock 13 to 18 took us to Hastings at the beginning of Rice Lake. Lock 16 and 17 are a double lock. It is just what it says. Two locks together. You go in and they raise you up 20' or so. Then they open the doors, and you move the boat into the attached lock, and they raise you another 20' or so.  I think it was the previous day where we went through one normal lock, and then in a very short distance (not even 1/3rd of a mile we had a double lock)

Hastings, boats we had met at Campbellford, on Lock wall for the night. They would travel with us, and lock thru at Peterborough.

Hastings. "What would you rather be doing?"

We talked to Steve and Linda and they were at Lakefield. We had told them we would probably make it to Peterborough the next day. They decided to come and join us in Peterborough as they will be leaving on Friday to return to their other boat that is on the Neuse River, SC.

Another Gulfstar. They are everywhere. This is 36'

Life is good for Peter once again. We got up in the morning and went to Tim Horton's for breakfast, and then to Canadian Tire right next door. Does it get any better than this????

We get to travel 40 miles today. Rice Lake and the Otonabee River. Only one Lock - 19, and then we will be at the Peterborough Marina.  Once into the River, we noticed a number of boats following us. This group are boating together. We met them first in Campbellford and then again in Hastings. There were about 6 boats approaching the lock. The locks are smaller now. We went in first,  another 4 boats were able to get in, but then the lock was full. The locks fill from the front now.  It seems to be easier to control the boat in the lock.

We had called ahead and made arrangements with the marina. Steve and Linda are already there waiting to catch our lines. The dockmaster wants us be stern in. Oh boy! We have only back into our slip one other time and that was Tangier Island. At Tangier once you got the back of the boat between the first two posts, you just backed straight and the remaining posts guided and held the boat.

Peter was up for the challenge. I moved the dinghy to alongside the front of the boat. And then it was his job. And of course, you always have an audience at a marina. Remember it was the holiday weekend, Monday afternoon when everyone is returning. He did a great job. He went in, swung the boat around, and backed into the slip like he had been doing it all the time. I was so proud of him. There is a lot to be said for no tides, no currents, and little wind. Have I mentioned how nice it is not to have to be checking, winds, tides and currents all of the time.

We had dinner with Steve and Linda on our boat. I had set the crockpot up in the morning and dinner had been cooking while we travelled. It was so good to be with them again and get caught up on their summer on the Trent and Georgian Bay. We got a tour of their new boat "Guppy". It will be their Canadian boat. They love it here for the summer, and then they will return to their boat and go back to Marathon Key for the winter, after some time on Chesapeake Bay.

Linda has reminded us several times that they had one lift lock and 6 locks to go thru to get to Peterborough to have the extra time together.  Now that is the measure of friendship. This gives us a couple extra days together before they leave on Friday. We always have such a good time together.

Mom is coming to join us on Tuesday.

Fountain in Peterborough Harbour. At night it is lighted.  A great centerpiece for Peterborough.

We woke to an overcast sky. It was to be a rain day. Got up in the morning, did a load of laundry, went for breakfast with Steve and Linda, and then off to the grocery store. Rain days are good for these things. Peter got a bus pass for the day, and it would cover 2 people. He went to the bus station to bring Mom back to the boat. Shortly after he left, the rain started in earnest. By the time they got to the boat, they looked like drowned rats. Now I am sorry that I didn't get a picture.

Mom was introduced to Steve and Linda and we all spent sometime together. Steve made his now famous salmon with dill sauce, along with a kale salad that is wonderful, and he prepared a wild rice dish. What a terrific meal. They brought everything over to our boat to eat together. Mom commented that this must be "take out" dinner.

We ended our first evening with Mom onboard with a game of TriOminos. Steve and Linda didn't like that each person had to keep their own score, so we abandoned the counting and just played the game. By 9 pm everyone was ready for bed. Mom, because she had been up since 6 am, and the rest of us because that is what boaters do. "Early to bed, Early to rise." We rise with the sun, and go to sleep shortly after sunset.

Breakfast out tomorrow. The locks go to fall hours now. They operate from 9 am to 4 pm. No rush to get started. Looking forward to sharing our boating life with Mom.

Trenton to Campbellford, Lock 1 to 12, Sept 1st.2012

At Trenton we ordered a computer chip for the Garmin GPS system. As it was purchased in the US it covered all of the US, but nothing for Canada. We tried a few West Marine stores locally, and ended up calling Midland, and they not only had one in stock, they agreed to ship it Fed Ex Express (overnight) to Trenton and get this "no charge" for the shipping. So we had a layover day in Trenton.

Snowy Owl, Horned Owl and Peter outside the Trenton Museum

We have started a bird contest. Or I should say Peter started the contest between Steve and Linda, Jim and Linda and ourselves. The object of the contest is to get the most bird pictures, close enough to recognize the bird, and also have the name of the bird. The boat with the most pictures over the next year wins. The prize is an all you can eat dinner at the Burger King of your choice. Linda Murray has already posted 6 pictures on her blog. Peter was feeling as if he was losing at his own game.

Our Loon June, and Peter

We went to the local museum in Trenton. They had a lot of stuffed birds. He asked if we could get them down from the shelf and take pictures of them. The museum was under renovation and they were quite excited to help us with our contest. We came back the next morning and started taking pictures. He asked them if he could buy one of the birds from them. As luck would have it, the museum had just thrown out 2 birds and Shawn agreed to give them to us. They now decorate the front of our boat. Now top this SymetryII and Yesterday's Dream.

Shawn from the Museum. Our accomplice.

We got 19 bird pics from the museum, and I already had 36 pictures of birds from a slide show in the Tangiers Island Museum. We now have 55 pictures PLUS 2 birds on the boat.



Peter had warned everyone, that there could be some cheating involved as he made the rules of the game.

Well the GPS chip came in the following morning about Noon and we were able to get away shortly after. We entered the Trent Severn Waterway and started the last leg of our trip. Lock 1 thru 6 came in very rapid succession, 7 miles. That put us as Frankford Lock and it is one of only 2 locks that have hydro hook up. A wonderful place to spend the night. We were very lucky. We were the last boat to get onto the wall. They were full.

The last leg of our adventure. 240 miles to Port Severn. 45 Locks. Only 33 more locks to go. 

We had a very leisurely start to today's travels. I don't think we left till after 11 am. The ladies in the basement wanted some Peter attention. We are still chasing air around.

Today we ran thru Locks 7 to 12. 11 and 12 was a double lock. A first for us. The total lift was 48 feet. You come in on the first lock that lifts you over 20 feet. Then the doors open and you move immediately into the second lock that takes you up the remainder.

The entire day was a very leisurely pace. The water was unruffled, little to no wind, air temperature perfect. We were in no hurry so we had a very relaxed ride from Lock 7 to 12. We arrived at about 5:30 pm How wonderful to be able to get up with no real time table.

We will spend the night tied to Campbellford town dock. We went out for a dinner of Ribs. Very good.

Steve and Linda Franko emailed that they are at Lakefield. We will join up with them and have some time together. We haven't seen them since Edisto Island SC.

And everyone thought they threw away the mold when they made him. There is another Peter Webb in Trenton.

We are making arrangements to have Mom join us for the remainder of the trip home. We hope to meet her at Peterborough.

Lake Ontario, Aug 29, 2012

We had a good crossing of Lake Ontario. Wed. Aug 29, 2012.
To catch up a bit. We pushed right thru the locks on the Erie Canal. We ran from Lock 7 thru to Lock 20 I think it was. Then from Lock 20 we pushed thru to Phoenix, and spent 2 nights there as the weather was calling for rain and thunderstorms. Rain is no problem, but do not like the t-storms on the water. Spent the day reading. What a novel idea. R&R on a vacation!

Dam waterfalls at Oswego. There are 3 dams and locks in rapid succession at Oswego as we get lowered quickly to the level of Lake Ontario.

From Phoenix, we pushed on to Oswego. Fueled the boat. The only place to fill up before Lake Ontario and the 60 mile crossing. And they really price gouge. $4.69 per gallon. I know, I know. It is less than in Canada, but still the highest we have paid in the US.

Oswego has a unique waterway system. The bottom of the picture shows the canal that the boat travels, and then right next to it is the watershed from the dam and waterfalls. Look closely, the watershed is flowing out while the canal has wind effect pushing the water the opposite direction.

We went back and tied between Lock 7 and Lock 8 on the Oswego Canal. Met another boat tied there. Knot a Chance, Jerry and Carol O'Malley. They live in the Thousand Island area and were on their way home from their vacation. We had cocktails with them on our boat. They would turn east on Lake Ontario and take the 3 day route home.

The waves of Lake Ontario had been breaking over the breakwall during the day. We were hoping for everything to settle down overnight.

Lighthouse, Oswego entrance. Goodbye USA.

Wednesday morning, the breeze was picking up a bit. There was a ripple on the Canal. Nice bright sunny day. Lets see what the Lake is serving up this morning. The winds were to be southeast, 10 to 15 for the morning, calming down, as it turned to northwest 10. Waves 1 meter and then lessening. This is our only reasonable weather day as the next 4 days are worse.

Out we go. Not bad. Still a roll from the winds from last night. We continue. After we get beyond the shoreline effect, not bad. The waves are on the beam, not comfortable but doable.  We proceed. It will be a long day. 60 miles, and at 7 knots we are prepared for a 10 hour day.

Fresh, clean, Canadian water. The dinghy has never been in fresh water. She loves it. And that's right, you heard it correctly, "we are in Canadian water now" 

10 hours and nothing to do. This is during the calm.

The waves got up to about 4 feet,  knocking the boat about a bit. The weatherman was right. The winds died down about 11:30 am, right on time. Things calmed down a bit for a couple of hours as the wind changed direction. The wind and waves now on the beam on the other side. A long tiring day.

Lake Ontario. 60 mile crossing. The calm.

It still amazes me. Wind, Waves, and a big body of water can make a  43' boat seem so small and insignificant. Then when you go to dock this puppy it becomes huge. Peter has become quite accomplished at handling this boat. It no longer is intimidating. The golden rule of docking always applies, "approach the dock at the speed you intend to hit it!"

We came through the Murray Canal on the approach to Trenton. The Bridgeport Swing Bridge is interesting. There is a $5. fare for the opening. The bridgemaster comes out with a metal cup attached to a pole to collect the fare. This fare pays for the opening of the two swing bridges. That is a first on the trip. "Don't pay the bridgemaster till he opens the swing bridge" I think they made a song about this.... the words may have been slightly different.

We got tied in Trenton (probably more accurately Quinte West). Met two couples. One couple was from Penetang, and they were joining another couple they had met in Parry Sound. The other couple were from Michigan and have a very pretty sailboat. After spending 4 days together in Parry Sound, the Michigan couple asked the Penetang couple to join them and help them bring thhe sailboat down the Trent and Erie Canal. And a new boating friendship begins.

They invited us to join them for dinner in Belleville. I don't believe it, but we turned them down. I had been up since 5:00 am, a little apprehensive about the Lake Ontario crossing, and only wanted to sit with a drink and relax, then perhaps dinner and a good nights sleep.

Peter called the Canada Customs. Got a different customs agent who gave him a bit of a rough time. Apparently we were to have called 2 hours ahead of arrival. The agent the day before had not mentioned that. He definitely was a government official, tired, near the end of his day, that had a form with a lot of blanks that needed to be filled. Little tolerance. He gave us a telephone number in Trenton to call and clearly told Peter several times, that he had to present himself to the Canada Customs office.

When we got back to the boat after dinner, saw that we had missed 2 calls from the tired Canada Customs agent. We can talk to him tomorrow. Too tired, right now to put up with his attitude. It will be better in the morning.

Erie Canal Poem

  A little poem about the Erie Canal

If your fenders are clean, you ain't never been thru the locks of the Erie Canal.

Slime dark brown and green hangs with a bright sheen and this slippery stuff waits as you enter the gates.

So we reach for the lines that rub in the grime, that hang on the walls as the lock master calls.

Zebra mussels spit 'cause they live in this shit, saying "we'll never fall 'cause we're stuck to this wall, great home this Erie Canal."

 "We don't need all this grime as she dreams of Spray Nine"  "It could be all cleaned up if they'd keep these gates shut", says Cheryl on the Erie Canal.

If every boat and their crew would just scrub as they locked thru, we'd clean up this Erie Canal.

The barnacles stutter and cough as one by one they fall off.

Deja Vu flips like an otter, 'cause she likes the fresh water. Good tasting, this Erie Canal.

The ladies are purring, propellers are churning

The dinghy still smiles thru 2,000 miles, with nose thrust upward she seems to stare ....  the wrinkles are many, she has lost most of her air.

"Holy Crap" Cheryl said, "the sumacks are red" Time to get off this Erie Canal.

Snowbirds check their thermometers as they check off the kilometers, southbound on the Erie Canal

We smile and we wave, they think we're half crazed, northbound on the Erie Canal.

Lake Oneida is smooth, no need to perplex, after 29 miles, Oswego is next.

Cheryl's gone to the kitchen .... says it close to lunch time. I'm at the wheel still trying to rhyme and drive thru the Erie Canal.

From her we travel alone thru the lock ups, Waypoint is still at Starbucks.

Stop him, please stop him, he's out of control. He can't stop rhyming on the Erie Canal.

Lock 2 to 7, Erie Canal, Aug 23, 2012

We started the Erie Canal today. Lock 2 to 7, lifts boats 211 feet in about 12 to 13 miles. It is the highest lift, in the shortest distance in the world. The first 5 locks are in rapid succession, 5 locks in less than 2 miles, lifting 184 feet. It seems like you just get out of one and the next one is right there.

This is called a security gate. There are two of them between Lock 6 and 7. It looks like a huge guillotine. The second one was still dripping water as we travelled under it.

The locks are so efficient, coupled with little traffic, that each lock was open on our arrival. One lockmaster contacts the next lock to expect the next boat. We only met one boat at lock 6. They were waiting while we were locked up.

The canal reminds us very much of the Trent Severn. It seems strange not to be working with the tides and currents. Can't say that I am sorry not to have them. We are back to travelling at about 7 knots, all under our own power with no assistance. We proceeded at a leisurely pace and enjoyed the scenery.

Unusual roofline, Waterford NY

We had decided to have a leisurely start to our day, after yesterdays rush and long drive from Baltimore. We went uptown for breakfast at a local establishment. Something we haven't done for a very long time. We then visited Lock 2 a quarter mile away from boat to purchase our pass, decided to get the 10 day pass as opposed to 2 two day passes. We could decide to stay over at someplace and may need an extra day or so.

Port Perkins lady still like to have the air bleeding attention every 4 to 5 days. Peter has not lost his touch.

Tied to wall at Lock 7, looking back to the east.

We got underway about 10:30. Apparently it will take about 2 hours to do the first 5 locks and then another hour or so to Lock 7. Bob and Linda are going to tie at Lock 7, and we want to spend what could be our last evening together. They will slow down now as they have another month before they put their boat up at Brewerton for the winter. We will need to continue on. It will be sad to say goodbye to them, they have been such good company and good travel mates.


Linda is preparing dinner tonight. The dinner that we have been trying to have with them for several nights. The third night is a charm.

This could be our last evening with Bob and Linda, Waypoint. Safe Travels.

Waterford Visitors Center, Aug 21 & 22, 2012

We arrived at the Waterford Visitors Center on Tuesday about 1:00 pm. This is a great place to tie up before you begin the lock system on the Erie Canal. No charge to tie up for 48 hours. You only pay for hydro; $10. and $10. for a washroom key and $5. is refunded when you return the key.

Waterford Visitors Center

Lock 2, the first of the Erie Canal System. There are 5 that we will have to go thru in rapid succession without stopping. It is right here at Waterford near the overnight docks.

Other boats tied along the free dock at Waterford, readying for the lock system.

A good place to get the boat ready for the locks.

Peter thought this would be a great time to rent a car and go back to Baltimore to move our car forward. Baltimore is only 6 hours away. We were on our way in a Ford pick up truck around 3:30 pm. The tolls are excessive. It was over $25. one way with the truck. We decided to program the GPS for a return trip for fastest route with no toll roads. We went to a Walmart and got some walkie talkies to be able to talk to each other. The walkies sure made the trip less stressful for me.

The no toll decision, probably added another hour or more to the return trip. It took about 2 hours to get out of Baltimore. We saw a side of Baltimore that most people don't see. Hwy 1. Then we were on Hwy 81, 83, 17, 146, 87,(not in the order travelled) and I am sure I have missed some. It was a picturesque drive thru the mountains of Pennsylvania. Peter decided to take an unplanned side trip thru Scranton. I stayed on Hwy 81, I think it was, and drove slow till he caught up to me. We both had GPS so we both knew that we could get back to the Enterprise rental center and meet up there if necessary.

We finally got back to the boat about 8:30 pm. It was a very long day. We had a glass of wine on the back deck of the boat and relaxed.

P'keepsie to Coeyman's, Hudson River Aug 20, 2012

Today, we wait for the tide that will continue to power us up the Hudson. Tide will be about 10:30 am.

The fog settled in amongst the mountains like tendrils. Slowly encompassing the the river.  Not a morning to be trying to travel early. A good morning to be enjoying the mist. It completely covers us, so that we lose perspective. Then slowly it dissipates.  An experience best viewed while tied safely to a dock. Memories of the Mississippi.

75 miles from New York, morning scullers in fog

 There were scullers out for their morning constitutional. I have a picture of them coming out of the mist.

We had a relaxing morning while we waited for the tide. I cleaned some of the stainless steel stanchions and hand rails. It doesn't take long for that salt water to begin its work at rusting. Today is the day that Deja Vu will have seen the last of salt water and will begin her fresh water life. Peter had some time to read some of his book. Up until now it seems like every spare minute he had was devoted to boat maintenance or repair.

Slack tide arrived and we were off. About 1 hour out, the tide picked up and we began picking up speed. As the river narrowed, the current was stronger. Again we travelled close to 9 knots for most of the day, with spikes to 10 knots. It is hard to believe that while we are more than 100 miles from the ocean, there is still a tidal effect. Part of the reason is probably that technically the Hudson River is not a river but an estuary. This will be our last day to experience tide and currents.

Looks like he has his own boat. Nature mimicking humans.

The Hudson narrows as we proceed.  Water depths are good in the channel. There are a number of very unique styled lighthouses, we are overtaken with freighter, met a couple of barges, and saw some bald eagles. Then there was a crane sitting on the front of a sizeable log floating down the river. It looked so funny. As if he was piloting the log.

This is one of the aids to navigation on the Hudson. Notice the green window coverings. Yes, it is on the green side of the river.

We decided to call it a day and stay at Shady Harbor Marina, in the New Baltimore Coeyman's area, about 10 miles south of Troy. The dark storm cloud was fast approaching, and we were wondering which would come first, the rain or the marina.  We won, we were in to marina and tied before the rain started. It was only a gentle misty type of rain, nothing to speak of.  We used their courtesy car to go to the grocery store and reprovision. There is a restaurant on the property, so we had dinner there. And it was a very good dinner.

The barge gives some perspective on the size of the lighthouse. But I guess you would have to know just how big a barge can be.

Bob and Linda were telling us that they want to spend more time doing the tourist thing. They have till the end of September before they will return to South Carolina. So they have a month and half before they need to return. They have been such good company, we will miss them. We will travel together until we are through the  5 lock series that you have to do all at once, which may be in next day or so.

And for Michael. How would you like to operate one of these.

New York to Poughkeepsie, Aug 19, 2012

6:00am New York/Manhattan Skyline

Left the dock early to catch the tide going up the Hudson River. (6:00 am) It took the tide a while to catch us, but when it did - WOW. Our normal cruising speed is 7.2 kts. and with the tide we got 9kts. A full 2 knots more. The tide kept pushing, and pushing us. There are few marinas as you travel this section, and fewer that can take our boat size. We found a brand new marina, "Shadows" at Poughkeepsie ( locally pronounced pikipsie ) that could take both boats. We arrived at 2:00 pm, and we reluctantly stopped for the day after 75 miles. I say reluctantly, because the tide was still pushing us at 9 knots. The dock helper said the tide would continue for another 2 to 4 hours like this before turning. We could have easily have travelled well over 100 miles with that tide.

The tide will be against us the first part of the day tomorrow. It will push against us at the same speed. It will be hard to settle down to 5 knots.

Waypoint being chased by cruise ship and barge.

As we left New York, "the lady" waved good bye, and we pointed the boat north up the Hudson. We got some great pics of the water towers on the tops of all the buildings. We were chased by a cruise boat and a barge for awhile. The George Washington Bridge has 2 decks for vehicles to travel.

The Pallisades

After the George Washington Bridge came the Pallisades area of the river that goes on for about 10 miles. Tall columns of rock that poke out from the green of the trees.

Sing Sing Prison

Further up the river was Sing Sing Prison. Followed by West Point, the military academy, a little further up the river.  West Point is nothing like I pictured it. What a day, the Statue of Liberty in the morning, followed by Sing Sing and West Point. All in the same day. Also in this area of the river, we travelled what is renowned as the most beautiful 10 mile section of the journey as the river goes up into the mountains. The views reminded us of the Tennessee River south of Chattanooga. And yes, the view was extraordinary. Not sure what mountains exactly as they are not named on the maps or charts.

West Point

Bannerman's Castle

After West Point, you turn the corner and see Bannerman's Island. Significant because a man built a medieval castle on the island. In 1969, the castle burned and there no longer is access to it.  It sure makes for great pictures.

We had put a roast in the crock pot to cook while we travelled. We will have Bob and Linda join us for dinner tonight. A great way to end the day. And what a day it has been; the Statute of Liberty sending us on our way,  Sing Sing Prison, the prettiest section of the journey with river and mountain scenes, West Point, and a medieval castle on an island.

What will tomorrow bring?