June 12, 2017

Jim is writing his own blog today with his personal reflections of his quest.

I feel badly for all those people who were not on our boat today.  This was a red letter day!  We left our Staten Island slip today at 0640 under a hazy sky and on smooth water.  We turned the corner and there was the Verrazano-Narrows Bridge with New York Harbor under and over the bridge.  As we entered NY Harbor we were able to see in the distance our STATUE OF LIBERTY.  Can you believe that?!  In our own boat?!  Who would have imagined such a thing?!  We worked our way closer to the Statue than any of the tourist boats.  (I’m sure I heard her say, “Welcome”.)  We sailed around her (what a feeling: lump in throat) and then ventured over to Ellis Island, dodging tour boats and ferrries.  (The fact that Beth’s great grandfather arrived in this country through Ellis Island made it even more special.)  

We then crossed the Hudson River, went into the shadow of the sky scrappers, crossed behind the Staten Island Ferry Terminal and into the East River.  We went up the East River, under the Brooklyn Bridge at a speed of 12 knots!  We worked our way up the river (dodging tour boats), turned around and returned at about 6 knots.  What a current!  We curved around as close as we dared to the towering buildings and re-entered the Hudson River.  

New York Harbor is a wonderous place and being there in our own boat, going where we dared to go, and spending as much time as we wanted to spend was a once in a life time experience.  It reminded me once again of just how lucky we’ve been.  Another adventured shared with Penny.

We then started up the Hudson River.  Oh, what a wonderful journey!  We slowly got past the magnificent buildings, past a submarine and aircraft carrier, beautiful homes, and big ships and began to journey between green hills and cliffs.  Interspersed in this green were great buildings with character and history (universities, churches, old government buildings). This is the most beautiful country we’ve seen on this trip!  (Even more beautiful than than Chesapeake Bay which is saying something!)

We are now tied up to a dock in Half Moon Cove just off shore of Croton-on-the-Hudson, NY.  What a day!  Maslow would have said I experienced "self-actualization".

We Made It To New York!

Under the Verrazno Bridge

Guess Who?

But I have one great regret:  None of our nine children and grandchildren were with us to share our experiences.  Our grandchildren would have gained wondrous life-long memories that could have been shared with one another for decades. 

Brooklyn Bridge

Ellis Island