#8 Down East Circle; NY City Arrival

 Rikers Island

 The first bridge on the east river

 The Chrysler building

 Does the Empire State Building look small?

Trying to take a picture while going thru Hells Gate was like trying to ski a black diamond mogul field while reading a book.  Boating here was as if I was in a washing machine.  The NY Cops and Firefighters both have large boats and passed me throwing a 4 ft wake in very confined area.  They cleared the table for me.

 That yellow boat up ahead is the Staten Island Ferry

 I guess the Statue sustained some damage from Hurricane Sandy, as it was closed for repairs.  Note the cranes.

I had planned to anchor behind Ellis Island, however there were security restriction buoys all over the area making it off limits.

The Marina is very nice, they even give you a welcoming packet. Everything comes with a cost.

 After a very nice dinner at the Liberty Island Park Restaurant I took a stroll to the end of the park to take these pictures of NY.  That blue lit building is the new tower.

#9 Down East Circle; Hudson River Heading North

Well the Erie Canal continues to be closed, each day we get reports and rumors that it will open soon.  The latest news is "The Notice to Mariners are advising mariners that the Erie Canal from Lock E-8 in

Scotia through Lock E-15 in Fort Plain is slated to re-open for navigation, weather conditions permitting, no later than 8 a.m. on Friday, June 28."  So my plan is to spend 2 nights at Half Moon Bay Marina.  Since my new Garmin Radio is faulty, I have arranged for a replacement to be shipped to the Marina arriving on Thursday.  I caught up with the M/V Quimby at the marina.  It was good to clarify why I didn't return a hail after I called them in the Long Island Sound 3 days ago.  They got my hail, but no response from me because of my radio issues. 

Leaving the Liberty Landing Marina in NJ was hard.  They were the most helpful and accommodating people I have ever dealt with in a Marina.  Special shout goes out to Sandy (Dock Manager) and Greg Assistant Dock manager) both were extremely professional yet accommodating and made my stay very pleasant.

When leaving the Marina I was able to take another pic of the Empire State Building

 The George Washington Bridge

The west side of the Hudson

 The Tappen-Zee Bridge

I am approximately 10 miles from the Half Moon Bay Marina, my final destination for the day.  It was a slow go as I left the Liberty Marina late to take advantage of the tides, so most of the way was against the water flow.  I still think a better decision than staying at Liberty Landing Marina on a pure cost standpoint.

Well I made it up to the Half Moon Bay Marina, taking a good part of the day as I was against the current all the way.  It seemed like I would never clear the next bend.  But I'm here and expect my replacement radio to arrive tomorrow.

A view of the Half Moon Bay Marina.

 So while waiting I rented a car and drove to the other side of the river to West Point Army Academy.  It was about 40 miles and the drive along the river was thrilling as well as having many "vista" views.

Getting on the Point was relatively easy.  I just drove up and flashed an ID.  But decided to go back thru the check points and take a tour starting from the visitors center.  The first stop was the Chapel, which over looks the cadets dormitories ( barracks to me).

 Entering the Chapel you will notice the candle lit and in one of the pews, that is for the MIA of all conflicts.

 The arch angel Gabriel and the motto Duty Honor Country are looking over the altar.

 The Chapel is in a "Military Gothic" style.

 All over the Point there are monuments or figures of other items which are donated by each graduating class. This is one of them.

 The tall building in the center is the Mess Hall.  The parade grounds in front are only allowed to be walked upon by Cadets.

 This is a Civil War Monument, circling the monument are cannon from the various battles which are buried front first and act as a fence around the monument.  Front first signifies "never again take up arms against your fellow country me.

 he Civil War monument overlooks what the guide called the Million Dollar view.

 This is what I call called the Million Dollar +1 view.

More views from the river

Delays were experienced once I got to Kingston, the Erie is now a definit no go.  So change of plans, will head to Lake Champlain. Today my grand daughter Niamh and her dad Ben joined me and ended up spending 2 days in the rain at the dock.  We did enjoy the Maritime Museum and our walk to P&T Salvage to find parts to deinstall my "black water"