The Journey Into New York

We left Manasquan, New Jersey early in the morning, running 5 hours in the ocean with a light west wind. We entered the lower bay of New York Harbor and went west over towards Staten Island where we tied up at Great Kills Yacht Club.

This was a quiet Yacht Club and a great place to unwind after a long day. The dock master and the Harbor Host were both there to welcome us, as loopers are encouraged to call on them when in New York.

New York is in the middle of a heat wave, so we waited until evening to venture out to explore the town of Great Kills.

On recommendation, we stroll over to Coles Dock Side Restaurant which was packed with diners. Mussels, calamari, fresh fish, and a bottle of wine. What a great way to celebrate in New York.

This is what it looked like when we woke up the next morning ready to push on into New York. The temperature was predicted to be over 100 degrees. It got to 108.

As we approach the city, the unmistakable skyline begins to come into view. First is the Verrazano Bridge.

Once in New York harbor proper, you can begin to make out the skyline of Manhattan. I'm pinching myself. I can't believe we are here.

Once past the bridge, we can see Fort Wadsworth, one of the oldest military installations in the nation. The site occupies 226 acres on the northeastern shore of Staten Island.

As we move into the harbor, those famous Staten Island Ferries were moving in both directions full of commuters on their way to work.

There were many working tugs in the New York Harbor.

We pass Ellis Island, the first place that my father's parents encountered, when entering this country from Russia over 90 years ago.

And then we pass the Statue of Liberty that I remember climbing with my little brother a long time ago.

The new "One World Trade Center" comes into view and is awe inspiring.

The New Jersey side wasn't too shabby either.

We passed the USS Intrepid with the Space Shuttle Enterprise covered in that big balloon on the deck.

You can see the Concord to the left of the Intrepid.

We move past the haze of the Empire State Building up the Hudson into calmer waters. There are no marinas that are calm in the New York Harbor so we push on.

As we pass under the George Washington Bridge, we also pass Coast Guard and police boats guarding the bridge, after all we are in New York.

The Palisades are among the most dramatic geologic features in the vicinity of New York City, forming a canyon of the Hudson north of George Washington Bridge, as well as providing a vista of the skyline.

These high cliffs on both sides of the Hudson were breathtaking. They are still following us through the next couple of days.

We stop for the night at Half Moon Bay Marina on the Hudson River.

It was a long, exciting day of picture taking and it's time for a glass of wine and some rest.