New York City Detour

November 8 - November 17, 2016

The drive to the Memphis Airport was an easy three hour trip. Everything is moving so fast. We've been living aboard Mystic, our Alberg 35, for two months and have forgotten about all the normal sounds and activity of the "real" world, off of the waterway. Our lives have been filled with new places, sounds and experiences but, in general, we have been moving at a much slower pace.

Sunset Aboard Mystic

We arrived in New York City on Election Day. The city is hectic as always, but there is a new tone today. We walked to the Javits Convention Center so Dave can take a look at the hall he'll be working in. We can't get there due to the police, tactical units and press. We have no idea what is going on but it's BIG. Finally, we learn that Hillary will be having her election rally here.

Street Politics in NYC

This detour from our sailing adventure has been a shock to us. We are overwhelmed by the constant stimulation of noise, activity, and aggression. When we are cruising, we meet both cruisers and locals. Everyone is delighted to explore each other's story. Here in New York, folks don't look you in the eye. As you walk down the crowded streets, someone is constantly shoving something in your face, cars are honking at each other and at pedestrians; and tourists are grabbing and pushing their way toward whatever catches their fancy. We are amazed at the cost of living here. Everything comes at a higher volume. I've always loved our trips to the Big Apple. This visit, my perspective is influenced by the simplicity that we came from, living aboard. It's a different view point!

Tower One

Our lifestyle on the waterway is very conservative. We have  little room for items that are not necessary. We buy what we think we can consume. We share what we have with the Loopers we meet. People ask us often, "What do you do all day? Don't you get bored? " It seems like we don't do much, but our days are busy and, at times, exhausting. Someone has to navigate. Someone has to watch for debris and Tows on the waterway. We both have a role in getting through the Locks & Dams, each lock through takes us a half hour or more to complete. We clean, we cook, and we "putz"! Dave does engine maintenance and I knit, crochet and write notes for our blog. We explore the towns we pass through whenever we can. We often anchor in remote places, alone, together! We listen to birds, coyotes, and owls. We stare at a star-filled sky, in wonder at just how many flickering lights fill the atmosphere when you are away from artificial light. We breathe deeply. We hear carp munch on our hull, a sound that drives many Loopers crazy but makes us laugh at the circle of life! We have a gadget that turns our computer into a television but can almost never get reception. Instead of TV, we listen to our wind-up solar radio that can almost always get public radio and great classic rock stations. Living aboard is not always easy but it is rewarding! It's everything we hoped for but nothing we prepared for.

We come to New York several times a year for Dave's work. We have places we visit that are "our" places, like McGarry's Irish bar. At McGarry's, our bartender, Patrick, is a familiar face. We love to sit at the bar and chat with him. Patrick is fascinated with our current lifestyle. We've asked ourselves many times since we began this journey, "What are we doing?" Patrick cleared this up for us when he commented recently, "Look at ya! You're living the life of Fooking Riley!"

McGarry's

Fall Colors in NYC

Hudson River View from the Skyline Greenway

The Skyline Greenway

Fall Yellow

Skyline Greenway Mural

Fall Colors

Patriotic construction

Veteran's Day Parade

Patriotic NYC

Reflection

Old Glory

Veteran's Day Parade 2016

US Veterans

Tuesday Night Sailing Club

Central Park

Bryant Park

Bryant Park Ice Rink

New York Nightlife

Columbus Circle

Jacqueline Kennedy Onassis Reservoir

Reservoir run

Pigeons in Central Park

Paddle Wheel Frame

Paddle Wheel

Central Park View

Trump Tower Dressed up for Holidays

Radio City Music Hall

New Yorker

Empire State Building

Dave on the Skyline Greenway

Beth on the Skyline Greenway

Art along the Skyline Greenway

Art Along the Skyline Greenway Zoe Leonard, 1992

Beth with Jacob Javits

Dave with Jacob Javits

Mannequin Sculpture

Hudson River Greenway Art 

Skyline Greenway Art

Central Park Reservoir Path