New York City and Long Island Sound

Atlantic City is not the kind of place we would spend more than a night, but it sure took care of us nicely while we were there. And to top if off, the Atlantic Ocean was treating us to yet another day of smooth seas. Three days in a row has got to be an all-time record (or close, anyway). Regardless, we were very grateful because there have been days when it was not so kind (like in 2009 when the weather turned suddenly, and we found ourselves in breaking 10 foot seas. Ugh. Did I say, “ugh”?) Anyway, the outline of New York City began to appear, and we arrived in Atlantic Highlands, New Jersey (only 15 or so miles from the City) a few hours later, fueled up, walked the dogs, and dropped the anchor. This was our first time anchoring on this boat (hull 5215), and like anything untried, there's always a reservation about how things will go. It was smooth and uneventful, the way it should be. The stainless steel Spade, our favorite anchor, held at the first try. Easy and completely stress-free.  We were blessed with a lovely sunset.  

The next morning there was a thick haze which prevented us from seeing the City, but the sun slowly burned it off as we approached. Even though this was our 19^th time passing through New York City on a Krogen Express, we are always especially attentive as we cruise up New York Harbor and into the East River as there is a ton of traffic.....freighters (some anchored, some moving), barges, water taxis, ferries, police boats, etc. etc. and helicopters buzzing overhead just to distract you. As we were looking out, John commented to me about seeing the new Freedom Tower in front of us. From www.NYC-Tower.com, “The New York City Freedom Tower, which will stand 1,776 feet tall on the site of the former World Trade Center, is the work of the Lower Manhattan Development Corporation. It will serve as a beacon of freedom, and demonstrate the resolve of the United States, and the people of New York City.

Construction on the tower, which will have a cubic base, began in early 2006. Steel became visible above ground in 2007, and by 2013 the building will be ready for occupancy - twelve years after the World Trade Center was destroyed by terrorist attacks.

The site will also feature the Reflecting Absence memorial, which will honor the 2,986 men and women who died as a result of the terrorist attacks which thrust America, and the world, into war. Over 2,500 people died after the World Trade Center came crashing down to earth, and leaders vow they will never be forgotten.”

To me, the appearance of this tower was evidence of America's resolve to not let the bad guys get the last word; and even though I don't know anyone who died there and I've driven by here many times, my eyes filled with tears as I thought of the thousands of innocent lives lost there, people who were just minding their own business, and going about their normal routines.

Ok, onto happier subjects, like John's glee at the boost of 5 knots that we received from the incoming tide as we cruised up the East River! Woo-hoo! Our daughter, Joy, works in midtown on 42^nd Street, and she got a glimpse of us as we cruised past (see blog from 2010 with photos).  Hell Gate (a narrow strait in the East River with strong tidal flows and variable depths) was churning like we'd never seen!  Port Washington, New York, our destination, was around the bend. This is one of our favorite spots. It has good restaurants, a huge grocery store, West Marine, drug store, train station into NYC, and a nice mooring field! The mooring ball didn't have a line attached, so I got myself onto the swim platform, line in hand, threaded the ball and walked the line forward. John jumped down from the bridge and helped me secure the line to the boat. Like our anchoring experience the night before, this was easy and stress-free! The ability to walk around the decks is a huge advantage in this kind of situation. (As I write this, a couple just arrived on a sun-deck motor yacht  - she on the swim platform, he at the helm 3 stories up. She gets the line fed through the ball but, because they can't walk forward without going through the interior of the boat, they can't get the line to the bow. After making several attempts to accomplish their mission, they're both now sitting in the cock pit, each holding one end of the line, and look like they're analyzing the situation as they point to other boats and how they're secured. John suggested to me that they just tie it up at the stern and see what happens!! Pretty funny!!)

It was a warm day, so we went for a swim, then popped a can of Coke Zero, got out the crackers and cheese, and enjoyed sitting on the aft deck.

The next day we spent the morning doing odd jobs around the boat, plus taking time to relax. We noticed how many people in their dinghies would drive slowly by, oohing and aahing over the boat. “It's a Krogen Express” they'd say to their companion. A couple of people actually circled us, and I said to John, “I feel like an exhibit at the zoo”. Oh, the burden of owning a boat with beautiful lines and a striking color (stars and stripes blue, in this case)! After lunch we took a dinghy ride to do some errands.....West Marine for some miscellaneous sundries, the gas station to get fuel for the dinghy, and the grocery to replenish our supply of perishables, plus a nice long walk for the dogs.

Tomorrow Joy comes to visit us from the City!