And so, this long tale, which has unfolded here over almost three years, comes to a close. It began as the story of a man leaving home on an open ended odyssey. It concludes with his realization that it was actually a journey home to a place he knew but never recognized as such.
Dreameagle joined me in Croton and we ran up to New Hamburg through the most spectacular part of the Hudson with a bit of sailing off Beacon. Forumite and new friend, RonRelyea, met us in New Hamburg and showed hospitality as fine as I’ve encountered anywhere on this long cruise. New Hamburg is a gem of a place, a small village where the yacht club and boats seem to be the center of social life.
Ron took Dreameagle to the train in the morning to return to a round of social and professional commitments. All the weather delays on the trip up from Cape May caused me to miss by a day being able to put the boat in her summer slip and move ashore. I decided to take that as an opportunity to see the rest of the river up to the head of navigation for vessels with masts.
Although not as spectacular as the West Point section, the river just below Catskill is the most beautiful with its view of the mountains. The upper river is the most interesting. I’ve just been cruising around waiting to put the boat in the slip Friday morning when Dreameagle returns from New York. These last days have been a relaxed and wonderful cruise to cap these thousands of miles exploring the coast from Halifax, NS to Florida.
The Hudson is a great cruising ground although with its own challenges. The charts are largely fictional. I did something I never thought I would be able to do in this life, look at an uncharted island complete with large trees. Who would have thought I could find such in one of the most civilized waterways I’ve traveled? It isn’t a change in topography, it was outside the channel and no one ever bothered to put it on the chart. Water depths in good and protected anchorages are often 4 – 6 feet less than charted. There is something wonderful about having trains running by three to four hundred feet away. I am looking forward to a lot of day sailing and short cruises here, especially next fall in foliage season.
I’m currently undecided about resuming posts here when Dreameagle and I cruise to Maine in August and September. Cruising as a couple is different and there is a lot less time for sitting at a keyboard. Also different will be that cruising will again be as it is for most, a change and respite from life ashore. Friday, my life as a full time live aboard sailor and wander comes to an end, as does major chapter of my life and the body of writing this forum has become.
I want to thank everyone who has followed these posts and responded. I especially want to thank those who I have met through this forum and who have showed me so much hospitality these past years. You have all made this a far richer experience than it ever could have been otherwise.
Dreameagle joined me in Croton and we ran up to New Hamburg through the most spectacular part of the Hudson with a bit of sailing off Beacon. Forumite and new friend, RonRelyea, met us in New Hamburg and showed hospitality as fine as I’ve encountered anywhere on this long cruise. New Hamburg is a gem of a place, a small village where the yacht club and boats seem to be the center of social life.
Ron took Dreameagle to the train in the morning to return to a round of social and professional commitments. All the weather delays on the trip up from Cape May caused me to miss by a day being able to put the boat in her summer slip and move ashore. I decided to take that as an opportunity to see the rest of the river up to the head of navigation for vessels with masts.
Although not as spectacular as the West Point section, the river just below Catskill is the most beautiful with its view of the mountains. The upper river is the most interesting. I’ve just been cruising around waiting to put the boat in the slip Friday morning when Dreameagle returns from New York. These last days have been a relaxed and wonderful cruise to cap these thousands of miles exploring the coast from Halifax, NS to Florida.
The Hudson is a great cruising ground although with its own challenges. The charts are largely fictional. I did something I never thought I would be able to do in this life, look at an uncharted island complete with large trees. Who would have thought I could find such in one of the most civilized waterways I’ve traveled? It isn’t a change in topography, it was outside the channel and no one ever bothered to put it on the chart. Water depths in good and protected anchorages are often 4 – 6 feet less than charted. There is something wonderful about having trains running by three to four hundred feet away. I am looking forward to a lot of day sailing and short cruises here, especially next fall in foliage season.
I’m currently undecided about resuming posts here when Dreameagle and I cruise to Maine in August and September. Cruising as a couple is different and there is a lot less time for sitting at a keyboard. Also different will be that cruising will again be as it is for most, a change and respite from life ashore. Friday, my life as a full time live aboard sailor and wander comes to an end, as does major chapter of my life and the body of writing this forum has become.
I want to thank everyone who has followed these posts and responded. I especially want to thank those who I have met through this forum and who have showed me so much hospitality these past years. You have all made this a far richer experience than it ever could have been otherwise.
