June 26, Monday, Anchored out
Knowing that there was no rush to leave the marina until the tide turned around noon, we relaxed and I walked a few blocks to town for coffee and fresh pastries and some additional photos of this unique river town.
We took advantage of our new museum membership (included with the docking fee) and thought we’d enjoy looking through the museum for a few minutes. More than an hour later, we were still there, thoroughly enjoying the well organized, well documented variety of Hudson River historical themes, from riverboats, to lighthouses, to river industries of the 1800s, and so much more. Among so many others, I was particularly interested in the exhibit about the lights in lighthouses, the genius of Robert Fulton, the elaborate steamships (with rectangular grand piano of the Hudson River) and the fact that this little Rondout Creek had been key part of the steamship travel industry in its day.
Just before we were to leave, a boat pulled in, we said ‘Hello’, and proceeded to learn a lot about boating the great loop as we talked with Tom Hale and his wife Cristina aboard the very pretty and spacious 34′ Trawler. Turns out he is an editor for Waterways Guide and has written number of articles on cruising and sailing. They’ve been living aboard for a number of years, traveling up and down the east coast, spending as much time as they want where ever they want!
As we left and moved up the Hudson River we continued to enjoy the beautiful river and unusual lighthouses. Note we’ve been traveling north from NYC for 4 days and haven’t reached Albany. Steamships in their hey-day would make the trip in less than a day with hundreds of people on board. The Mary Powell, Queen of the Hudson, was one of the fastest and ran from NYC to Albany in 7 hours.
We easily found a great anchorage, already shared by two other trawlers with AGLCA (looper) flags. Hopefully we’ll meet them tomorrow in Waterford. After a brief rain shower and rainbow, the day ended peacefully.
Wandering Star 