We left Catskill Marina at 6am on Friday 8 October. It was Dark, Foggy and Very Cold.
Slipping out of our berth and gliding down the Catskill Creek was eery and ghostlike. We picked up the creek channel markers by their illuminated stripes with our mast lights. Gliding out into the Hudson we could not see much beyond Meshugga. Thank goodness for AIS, for who else would be out here if there we could not see them on Radar or AIS.
Later in the morning, ghostlike ships emerged, either at anchor or going past us.
Nicholas cold, and legs wrapped in a blankie
As the day wore on the Fog lifted and we could see some of the foliage reds and greens. The Coast Guard powering past us.
We went under numerous bridges, all of which, we’d been under coming up the river so there was no ‘angst’ in going under them down river
Cold Cruising
Fall colors
The Iconic Bannerman Castle on an island just north of the famous West Point Academy. An anchorage is available south of Bannerman Castle island, but we chose to continue south….
Commercial traffic on the river, Barge with their attendant Tows (or as I would rather say ‘Pushers’)
We arrived and anchored at in the mooring field just north of the TapenZee Bridge about 8pm and had a quick, hot dinner, shower and bed. Nicholas woke me at 4am with the motors starting. We needed to get going to use the Ebb Tide south to New York City.
The TapenZee Bridge did however look amazing with all it’s lights. And Yes, it was Cold! But, at least NO FOG.
The loom of NYC was amazing and lit an otherwise dark river with brilliance. The City that Never Sleeps!
What we think is the original Ellis Island arrival building for immigrants, now in disrepair
The New Ellis Island ….
Kierans’ yacht clubhouse when he lived in NY. I would have to check the name of it
Liberty Island
and the most Worlds most recognizable statue, Our Lady of Liberty !!!!
We anchored north of Coney Island at 10am, and spent a couple of hours resting and prepping Meshugga for going to Sea. We left at noon, and headed out into an awful NE tight reach of 30m knots with swells breaking over the bows. I was not happy, but there was nothing to do except grit and keep going. Once we’d cleared Sandy Point we could ease up and head more south and then the NE wind became a blessing and sped us along at a good 10 knots with swell on the beam, but not breaking.A fast afternoon and night and we made Cape May, the northern point of Delaware Bay, and anchored just inward in the bay behind a breakwater of the Canal at 2am. Another long tiring day.
Sunday, we were up again and going by 7am to catch the Flood Tide going north into Delaware Bay for 50 miles to the CDC (Chesapeake Delaware Canal).
We made Salem by 12h30 and headed into the Canal with a flood current of half knot which steadily rose to 2 knots with us.
CDC straight and clear, we sailed the whole way through the Canal
ConRail Lifting Bridge whom we had to call to check the Lift was high enough for Meshugga
Beautiful Bridges
Some sights along the Canal towards the Chesapeake end
My incredibly handsome wonderful husband and partner in adventures
.
Last bridge of the Chesapeake Delaware Canal
After eleven bridges and power lines, we exited the Canal and headed south for another few hours before tiredness started to take it’s effect and we sought anchorage in the Saffaras River at about 5pm. An early dinner and I was showered and in bed by 8pm
Next day, Monday 11th , Columbus Day, we upped anchor at 8am and sailed with the Ebb Tide 30 miles south to Annapolis. A nice light sail. Arriving in Annapolis we anchored in the Severn River along with many other largish yachts both sail and power.
Our next week will be varied with both maintenance arrangements, and fun visiting the Annapolis Boat Show and seeing friends.
