Hudson Highlands/U.S. Military Academy at West Point

The Hudson River cuts through the backbone of the Appalachian Mountain chain for 11 miles.  This area is known as the "Hudson Highlands" and is often compared to Germany's Rhineland.  As the river flows between the mountains it narrows and makes sharp turns.  It reaches it's greatest depth in this area - 216 feet at "World's End".
The Georgia to Maine Appalachian trail crosses the Hudson River on the Bear Mountain suspension bridge.
Also located in the Highlands is West Point.  First fortified in 1779 it is the oldest continuously occupied military post in the U.S. and is the home of the nation's oldest service academy.

Goin' with the Flow
Anchor to Anchor - Nyack to Esopus Creek
72 miles - 12 hours

We had a wonderful and interesting ride north on the tidal flood, south wind and waves.

We passed estate mansions the likes of Roosevelt, Vanderbilt and the Culinary Institute of America (formerly a Jesuit monastery).  We also passed the Indian Point Nuclear Power Plant and Sing Sing Maximum Security Prison (hence the expression, "being sent up the river").
The Catskill Mountains are visible off to our west.
The whole way along, on both river edges, the railway runs (passenger trains on the east and freight trains on the west).

North from New York City

On July 16, 2012 we let go of the mooring ball at New York's city dock (79th street boat basin) and set sail on the Hudson River.
As we make our way along we're surprised at how quietly the tugs and barges can sneak up on us.
Our first day on the river was a short one.
Anchor to anchor - 22 miles - 6 hours

We anchored just north of the Tappan Zee bridge at Nyack - home to the largest mooring field on the Hudson.

The Hudson River

The river is 325 miles long, stretching from it's source on the slopes of Mt. Marcy in the Adirondack Mountains to the Verrazano Narrows, which separates New York City's upper and lower bays.
Ocean tides extend upriver as far as the falls and the Federal Lock at Troy (158 miles).
Maximum tidal currents of 2 to 2 1/2 knots are typical.

A high tide "passing" New York City normally takes 9 to 10 hours to reach Troy.  Typically tidal ranges are 4 - 6 feet.

Atlantic City to New York City
Anchor to anchor - 98 miles - 22 hours

We lifted anchor in Atlantic City at 4 p.m. to catch the high tide to exit the anchorage as well as take advantage of the wind switch to the S/E. 
It took both of our attention to monitor the movements of the many boats off the New Jersey shore this Friday night. 
The constant string of lights along the coast as well as the glow of New York City made it easy to see on this moonless night. 
Our arrival at the mark at Sandy Hook just before dawn was timed perfectly however, it took an additional 6 hours of motoring through heavy boat traffic along the channel and up the Hudson River to reach our anchorage at the 79th Boat basin.
What an interesting "boat ride" it is to pass by the statue of Liberty and Ellis Island all the while dodging the Staten Island Ferry.
The water offers a front row seat to view New York's amazing sky-line.
This Saturday morning had boaters of every description out on the water.  We were shocked to find tiny private fishing boats seemingly oblivious to the mammoth freighter traffic coming up behind them.  As well, tour boats seemed to take great sport in playing in the wake from the tug and ferry boats.  And of course, what would a busy commercial harbour be without dinghy sailing school going on?  We were terrified for the well-being of the dinghy sailors, but gave up hope completely when the kayakers started out!!
The Coast Guard was broadcasting a message that there was a report of a woman in the East River.  We were certain by the end of this busy Saturday more than one may be lost in the Hudson.

Perhaps it's an attitude thing, but on second thought, when we witness the New Yorker's driving, their boating practices are about the same.

Atlantic City Casinos
Anchor to anchor - 33 miles - 9 hours

We caught sight of the casinos in Atlantic City a full 30 miles away. 
We thought the cutting edge architecture of the new "Revel" casino was quite unique as it has a huge ball perched right on top.  What a surprise it was to see it glow crimson red at night. 

By the number of lighted rooms in the hotels, it looks like business is running near to capacity.

Cape May to Atlantic City
Anchor to anchor - 33 miles - 9 hours

As we cleared the Cape May channel today we watched in surprise as the head sail on a boat just ahead of us ripped right in two.  It was very surprising considering the wind strength was just over 10 knots. 

Barry's efforts to get his make-shift chart-plotter working once again finally paid off in Cape May.

Oyster Ground Complication
Chesapeake City, Maryland to Cape May, New Jersey
Anchor to anchor - 55 miles - 15 hours (under power the whole way)

July 10th found us motoring at 5 a.m. in the cool, misty canal.  By 9 a.m. we were riding the tide doing 7.7 knots on the outside edge of the freighter channel in the Delaware River.  Unfortunately we came to an abrupt stop as our prop caught a line connecting 2 oyster floats.  With Sea Star disabled and a current running at 3 knots we gave great consideration to Barry going in the water to cut the line off the prop.  Happily he was able to safely cut us free. 
By noon the tide turned against us and the wind was 15 knots over the bow.  We were mid way through Delaware Bay, under power and making just over 1 knot progress.  At that point we had serious reservations about making Cape May by nightfall. 
We spent 3 hours tacking back and forth across the channel against the sea and wind conditions.

At 4:00 p.m. we finally made our course change mark and with the tide flowing once again in our favour we dropped anchor in Cape May just before dark. 

Chesapeake City - Chesapeake & Delaware Canal

We watched with interest the freighter traffic travelling through the canal between Delaware Bay (Atlantic Ocean) and the Chesapeake Bay.
We slipped out of the strong tidal current to spend a night on anchor in Chesapeake City which is situated on the canal.

Barry went off to the library in an attempt to download new tidal software onto our 2 Garmin GPS.  Unfortunately he was unsuccessful but did return with tide tables.  This information is imperative as we need to travel tomorrow not only through the rest of the canal but also all the way through Delaware Bay.  Our timing for taking best advantage of the tide is crucial.

Bugged

The night we sat on anchor in the Susquehanna National Wildlife Refuge on the Bush River was electric.
It was difficult to breathe with the heat index at 110 F.  The air was still and the sky was aglow with lightning.
We listed in the motionless night to the severe thunderstorm warnings being broadcast on the VHF radio. 
Fortunately we were able to swim in the fresh, jelly-fish free water in the afternoon but were forced below in the evening as millions of bugs lighted on Sea Star's deck.  So many were their numbers that we confused their buzzing for an engine left running. 

Despite our efforts to move them along the next morning, many travelled with us for days afterward.  All of them left behind a tiny green dot that defies removal.  Sea Star's decks may forever be speckled.

Bay bridge

We motor-sailed north on July 7th in very hot and very hazy conditions with a heat advisory forecast for the day of 110 degrees F.
It was quite exciting to pass under the Bay bridge. 
On the north side of the bridge a small helicopter buzzed around us taking photos which he offers for sale on-line (boatpix.com).  Much to our surprise when we were undersail in the Atlantic north of Cap May 5 days later we were buzzed by the same helicopter.  This guy has one big region to cover.
We travelled alongside the freighter channel for 5 & 1/2 hours today covering 25 miles, during which time we saw several freighters and over a dozen "cigarette" type boats.

We sat on anchor all alone that hot and stormy night in the Susquehanna National Wildlife Refuge which lies within the Aberdeen Proving Grounds Restricted area on the Bush River.

Knapp's Narrows to Whitehall Bay
Anchor to Anchor - 7 hours, 35 miles

With the 5 day forecast still offering no relief in sight from the heat, we lifted anchor and motored off towards the bay.
We took the "short-cut" through Tilghman Island at Knapp's Narrows and made our way to Whitehall Bay; 2 miles north of Annapolis, Maryland.
Barry took a run over in the dinghy to search for needed belts and pulleys.  As always, his gentle hand continues to nurse our diesel and refrigeration system along.

The further north one goes into The Chesapeake Bay the fresher the water becomes.  Happily, the jelly-fish found the water in Whitehall Bay to be too fresh and we were able to thankfully swim at last.

Hot enough for ya?

Our first week afloat was a hot and hazy sizzler as nearly all of the U.S. suffered through a record breaking week-long heat wave.  It was sweltering....heat index up to 110 degrees F.  Not only was it stifling but it was calm, dead calm.
We took cooling breaks in Cambridge's library between re-assembling and provisioning Sea Star.
In the hopes of finding a breath of air we headed out towards the bay to Oxford for the 4th of July fireworks.
Just before the fireworks started the moon crept up from the horizon - full and crimson.  If not for the dark sky it could easily have been mistaken for a brilliant sun-rise.  It no sooner made it's eerie appearance than it slipped behind thick clouds and was gone.
Barry, very resourcefully, rigged a $10. nylon Novack's hammock, that we had on board, into an excellent wind scoop for Sea Star's front hatch.

Sadly, the profusion of jelly-fish in the bay continue to dash our hopes of swimming.

Rendezvous with a spring tide
(Chesapeake Bay, Gateway Marina, Cambridge, Maryland)

After our dreadful experience last August of being aground for 2 days while attempting to get Sea Star hauled out as hurricane Irene approached, we rejoiced this July 2nd as she launched and floated on out into the Choptank River.
The timing was perfect:  a spring tide coupled with a stiff breeze blowing the sea into the marina from the bay.
We were delighted to find Sea Star in excellent condition after her brush with Irene last August.  What a wonderful difference it makes to store in a drier, less humid climate...no mold or mildew in sight.
Thanks to Nan, Val and Connor for baby-sitting Ryan.  This gave us the time needed to drive to Maryland and prepare Sea Star for launch in time for her rendezvous with the spring tide.
Happily our efforts were not in vain.