Army Corp of Engineers |
We moved across the Atlantic Highland Bay right on time as two sailboats, one in front and one behind, joined us in the channel. It took about three hours to make it under the Veranzano Narrows Bridge. The Statue of Liberty came into view. I grab as many photos as I could as we dodged ferries, tankers and pleasure craft. The Hudson River was wildly busy.
Good morning Atlantic Highlands |
Early morning ferry wake |
West Bank Light outside the Veranzano Bridge |
West Bank Lighthouse |
Crossing under the Veranzano into lots of traffic |
Tower One peeking out of the morning haze |
Slipping under the Veranzano |
Lady Liberty |
Statue of Liberty |
We crossed behind Governors Island where the traffic lessened but the ferries moved faster, churning the water into a boiling frenzy. We found the captains to be polite and courteous in spite of all the activity. There is so much to see off of New York City. The view of Manhattan Financial District from the water is amazing. I continued to snap photos of both sides of the river as we made our way toward Hell Gate. We're traveling on a rising tide and moving quickly. It's exciting and intense!
Ellis Island Immigration Museum |
Central Terminal, New Jersey |
Manhattan skyline behind Governor's Island |
It took us another one and a half hours to reach Hell Gate. As we arrived at this narrow tidal passage, two other sailboats passed through with us; also heading north, one on either side of Mystic. One of the captains called us on the VHF to let us know that we had a line dragging off the stern. It was the rope that tethers our ladder to our lifeline. It hung barely below the water but we were thankful of their concern and the call! Snagging a line on our prop at Hell Gate would be a very bad thing! We passed Hell Gate quickly, riding a slack rising tide; with Mystic moving at over 10 mph. It was a passage we spent a lot of time planning for but turned out to be anti-climactic. At Hell Gate, timing is everything!
Governors Island Barracks |
Manhattan view rounding Governor's Island |
Tower One |
The Brooklyn Bridge |
Barge traffic in Manhattan |
(FDR Drive) Purple highway running along Financial District |
Clipper Ship docked at Maritime Museum in Manhattan |
Purple Highway under the Brooklyn Bridge |
Lot's of cruising traffic on land and sea |
Brooklyn, NY |
Cruising under the Brooklyn Bridge |
Leaving Brooklyn behind as we cruise up the East River |
The Tetris Buildings |
A float plane landed beside us |
Float plane cruising into port |
Empire State Building |
Helicoptor tour of the East River |
I prefer Coke but the sign is cool! |
Long Island |
The Chrysler Building |
East River park sculpture |
Roosevelt Island Smallpox Asylum Memorial |
The Alice Aycock Pavilian |
Queensboro Bridge |
Roosevelt Island Tram |
Roosevelt Island Tramway Landing |
The Alice Aycock Pavilian under the Queensboro Bridge |
Roosevelt Island Lighthouse |
Audubon Society Black Duck Mural |
Robert F. Kennedy Bridge in front of Hell Gate Bridge |
Hell Gate Bridge tower |
Sailboat joins us as we pass under Hell Gate Bridge |
Another sailboat joins us |
Hell Gate caravan of sailboats |
Leaving NYC behind at Hell Gate |
Mystic FLEW through Hell Gate at 10 mph |
As we left New York City behind, we passed Riker's Island prison then watched as planes took off and landed at LaGuardia Airport. City Island came into view just as Long Island Sound opened up in front of us. Beautiful homes line the shoreline to the east while the Hart Island ruins caught our attention to the west. This one mile long by 1/3 mile wide island has an interesting past. It was a training ground for US troops in 1864. Then it was the location of the Union Civil War prison camp, a psychiatric institution, a tuberculosis sanitorium, potter's field, boys reformatory, jail and drug rehab center. We noticed the gravestones lined up on the hill.
Long Island sound is wide and deep. The boat traffic lessened as we moved north. We'd been traveling for eight hours and needed a plan for stopping for the night. We decided to stop at Oyster Bay, a hamlet on the north shore of Long Island. Billy Joel once lived here. After our very long day, it sounded like a lovely place to anchor.
Riker's Island |
Laguardia Airport |
Busy in the skies |
SUNY Maritime College |
Stepping Stones Lighthouse |
Hart Island |
Hart Island cemetary markers dot the fields |
Sailboat passing Execution Rocks Lighthoue |
Execution Rocks Lighthouse |
The wind was in our face and increased throughout the day. White caps began to form around us. We crossed the wide channel leading into Oyster Bay in a slow, gentle arch; then made our way around the mid-channel marker that protected us from a shoal. As we turned south we saw the markers that would lead us up into the sheltered Bay. We approached the marina dock hoping to fuel up but there was no room. The attendant told us to wait in the channel. After sitting for almost an hour we decided to pass on fuel. The sky was filling with storm clouds so we needed to get settled on the hook. The bay is lovely with huge beautiful homes. We dropped our anchor in the southwest corner just outside the mooring field. We knew we'd be safe here.
Oyster Bay anchorage |
Incoming squall |
Storms are coming |
After dinner we sat in the cockpit to watch the light show. The storms finally caught us around 6:30. As I gazed across the mooring field I watched as every single boat suddenly moved forward in unison then spun as one as the preceding wind from the approaching squall caught them. Thunder and lightening came quickly and flashed for some time. We shut Mystic up tight against the wind and rain, and went to bed early. As usually happens, Dave slept soundly while I sat up unable to take my eyes off the sky.
The thunder finally ended but it rained all night. We woke to chilly temps and overcast skies. The forecast called for more rain all day; Long Island Sound would be rough in this weather so we decided to stay put. We are eager to get to Connecticut but content, tucked into this little protected hamlet for a second night. Our 2019 cruising season is coming to an end. We'll arrive at our destination in a day or two. There is no need to be in a hurry!
Visitors on the hook |
Looking for a handout |
The thunder finally ended but it rained all night. We woke to chilly temps and overcast skies. The forecast called for more rain all day; Long Island Sound would be rough in this weather so we decided to stay put. We are eager to get to Connecticut but content, tucked into this little protected hamlet for a second night. Our 2019 cruising season is coming to an end. We'll arrive at our destination in a day or two. There is no need to be in a hurry!
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