We have crossed Florida via the Okeechobee Waterway, transversed the Intracoastal Waterway, navigated the Chesapeake Bay, challenged the Atlantic Ocean, and are now heading north on the next leg of our journey - the Hudson River, 134 nautical miles. How far we have traveled thus far!
Hudson Valley is comprised of the Hudson River and it's adjacent communities. The valley is made up of three regions: Lower, Middle and Upper. The map above points out the most popular ports of call along the Hudson River.
Our first stop was the Half Moon Bay Marina in Croton on Hudson. We arrived in time for a well deserved shower and a bite to eat. Our dessert for the evening came in the form of the setting sun.
Agree?
Ahhh...
Running water spilling into the river.
Riverside home.
Mountainside homes in the Hudson Highlands section of the river. Just north of this
sitting on the west bank of the river lies the West Point Military Academy. It originally served as a strategic army post due to its location high on the hill on a narrow S-curve of land overlooking the Hudson River. This is where the "Continental Army prevented British Royal Navy ships from sailing upriver and thus dividing the Colonies. During this time Benedict Arnold who was the commander of fortifications at West Point, committed his infamous act of treason, attempting to sell the fort to the British."
In 1802 it was officially established as a U.S. Military Academy. The gothic architecture of the Cadet Chapel draws your eyes right to this striking building. The surrounding wall section to the north resembles that of a castle. I was waiting for a knight on horseback to charge down the hill.
Still in the Hudson Highlands river section. Awe inspiring.
Bannerman's Island sits in the middle of the Hudson River. The castle was built by Frank Bannerman, a Scotsman who was a munitions dealer, to store his ammunitions. We tried to get a closer look but the island is surrounded by shallow rocky water. The castle is in ruins but tours are available. Count us in for a tour (with a hard hat on) next time we are in the area!
More river/mountainside homes.
The original Esopus Meadows Lighthouse, often referred to as the Maiden of Esopus, became active in 1835. Flood and ice conditions over the early years heavily damaged the original structure. Repairs were made and completed in 1871. "This is the last wooden lighthouse in existence on the Hudson and the only Hudson lighthouse with a clapboard exterior."
The ominous clouds appear to be heading over the complex in the middle. Maybe it is something that they have said or done?
Roundout Creek entrance to Kingston Town Marina, Kingston, NY where we had reserved a slip is marked by the Roundout Lighthouse which was built in 1913.
Heading further up the creek and sitting on the left side of the river bank is the little tug that could.
Heading past the Battered Bull yacht.
Taking liberty with a Yogi Berra quote, "when you come to a fork in the river, take it". Huh? Our marina was to the right.
Downtown Kingstown was right off of our dock. Cute little struggling town. Streets and sidewalks need a good sweeping.
Mariner's Harbor Restaurant. Actor James Gandolfini and the crew from the “The Sopranos" ate there about six years ago after taping an episode in the area.
Sampled the Guinness while we were there and it was good.
An inviting alley area for food and/or drinks.
Crossroad off of Main Street.
Another old and attractive building.
To the right of this section a little further down the hill I spied a couple groundhogs feasting on fresh grass. As I got closer they spied me and each ran to shelter but in different directions.
This one ran to a hole closer to me. The other one ran to a hole in the opposite direction several yards away. Oh my furry little friend what are you going to do?
After a few minutes he couldn't stand it any longer. Desperate to get back to his mate he made a mad dash to be with her even though I was still holding court.
Within feet of her hole he stops and stands to attention.
We have a face off . I blink and he darts into the hole to rejoin his mate!
One of the few commercial vessels we have passed on the Hudson.
This 1869 Saugerties Lighthouse sits on the entrance to Esopus Creek. After being restored it now serves as a museum and a B & B.
Nestled in the valley of the Catskill Mountains is the Hop-O-Nose Marina which is a quarter mile up Catskill Creek.
Quite a few of our dock neighbors were sailors. This is the last place for sail boaters to have their masts lowered or stepped professionally if they plan on transiting the New York State Canals where minimum bridge clearances range between 15 and 20 feet.
Looking back up the creek.
This stone structure residence was built in 1797. Old wooden homes most often fell victim to fires.
Bill and I turned to each other and said, "who knew there was a real Uncle Sam"!
I bet Miss Hoes had no objections taking on the Van Buren name.
The residence now serves as an Inn with its very own Tiki Bar. Tiki Bar's are usually light and airy having a Key West ambiance. This place had the feel of a dungeon, dark and musty with cobblestones underfoot. We had plans to stop back early that evening for a beer but had found out it wasn't a place for us to go after dark. The ex-cop who enlightened us wouldn't elaborate.
We want him to swim right on to our back porch.
We had to stay two days due to weather which didn't bother us too much since some of the locks on the Erie Canal were still closed. The owner of the marina lent us his car so we could run to the grocery store and hit a laundry mat. Real nice guy and an extremely hard worker.
By the second morning the weather had blown through and we were heading back to the river. The creek was so still it resembled glass.
A tug pushing a barge.
Esopus Meadows Lighthouse opened in 1871 to warn mariners of the Esopus Meadows mud flats. After years of neglect it has been restored to its former glory days.
Continuing north on the Hudson through the Catskill mountain region.
This would have been a nice mountainside town to explore.
We went through an area with gorgeous homes.
Beautiful landscaping.
This could be yours if the price is right.
From homes to river traffic. We must be close to Albany.
The little red tug on the right hand side is helping keep the barge up against the dock.
Downtown Albany. Our plans to stay at a couple marinas in the area didn't pan out. One still didn't have their electricity up and running and at the other marina we witnessed a 42' sport fisherman speeding through the "no wake zone" causing the boats tied to the docks to slam into them repeatedly. Thanks, but no thanks.
A railroad bridge. One thing is for certain and that is the train system which at times ran parallel to the river is alive and kickin' in this part of the country, toot, toot.
We just passed through the Troy Federal Lock. There had been so much rain and flooding in the area that a mountain of debris is passing over the dam. Some of it has gathered and formed a log jam at the lock entrance to which the lock master told us to plow through it. Easy for him to say. We took our time and made it through the mess unscathed.
A mile further up the river we took a left. A new chapter begins.
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