Into "The City"

Thurs, 9/28/06
Stoney Point to Jersey City (New York City)
2.5 hrs, 54 mi,

Today it’s a short ride into NYC. Brad and Raymond have never been there and I think they are going to be surprised.

(Some of these NYC photos are from the spring trip, since both Brad and I don’t like watching the world thru a view finder, plus I’m busy driving in the traffic.)

Again this morning there is fog in the early morning,

But it clears before we depart at 9:15 AM.

For the first hour or so, we cruise pass the “bluffs”

Before passing under the Tapan Zee bridge

Which is considered the northern edge of the NYC.

After a few minutes we begin to see the city coming up in front of us

With the buildings in the distance and a steady increase in traffic in the river. It still amazes me how quickly we go from hills, trees, and nature, to concrete, steel, and people.

Since we are between morning and afternoon rush hours, the water taxi and ferry boat traffic is light, so we decide to do a little sightseeing.

We go on past Manhattan,

the Statue of Liberty

Ellis Island

And thru the harbor, out to the Verasono Bridge.

Then turn and head back in.

Headed for Liberty Landing Marina, behind the statue.

Well I’ve gotten a little over confident and the marina has a boat show this weekend, and there is no room for us, but they point us across the canal to another marina that can fit us in.

We take the last available slip and settle in around noon. After tying up and struggling to get electricity, we decide to take the water taxi into Manhattan. After all the time Dean spent on my boat this spring, the thing he really remembers is the water taxi in New York, and I think that Raymond is the same way.

We walked around the financial district awhile, past ground zero, grab a hot dog and some ice cream, walk the battery, Raymond and Brad spend some time in the playground, then we head back across the river to the boat. I think that both Brad and Raymond are suitably impressed; but the crowds and buildings are a little overwhelming for us simple country boys.

Since the security guard at the marina suggested we avoid the restaurant there, and we’ve had enough walking, it’s leftovers, showers and to bed.

Brad a Raymond’s original flight home tomorrow has been canceled, so they have an early flight out and have to go to Detroit by way of Minneapolis. It’s going to be a long day for them. Raymond has been a great kid the whole trip, and I’m amazed at his interest and how he has shown very few signs of boredom. All in all he’s been a great addition to the trip. As for Brad, well he’s Brad.

I have a couple of days to make a 4 -5 hr trip, by myself in the ocean, into Atlantic City; before I too head home for a couple of days. I’m watching the weather, and I’ll decide my next move in the morning.