We left our anchorage at Ellis Island early to take advantage of the current in the Hudson River as we headed north. We will be traveling on the Hudson for the next 150 miles. The river is a little less than a mile wide separating New Jersey and New York for most of our trip today and is very deep 45-55 feet deep. No running aground here!
Leaving Lower Manhattan and it’s multiple ferries behind, we followed a cruise ship- Carnival Magic, up the river. Was interesting to see how the tugs worked together to get that huge cruise ship into its docking terminal.
We had to search for the Empire State Building and Chrysler Building, but found them among Midtown Manhattan’s skyline. Was easy to see where Central Park began due to the absence of buildings.
On the Jersey side, we passed Jersey City and Union City. Tall office buildings and older wharves gave way to apartment and condominium buildings along the river and homes and apartments on the bluff that rose some 100 feet above the river.
Further north, Upper Manhattan is on our east side and the New Jersey bluffs covered in trees continues on our west.
Going under the George Washington Bridge, the Manhattan buildings begin to decline in size and number and the New Jersey shore-or Jersey Palisades continue, some rising from 250-450 feet above the river.
The Spuyten Duyvil Creek and corresponding bridge mark the end of Manhattan and the beginning of the towns of Riverdale and Yonkers. ( Spuyten Duyvil means spouting devil in Dutch due to the strong and unpredictable currents in the entrance to the creek)
Another 5 miles north and we pass the New Jersey state line, so we now have New York on both shores. Soon after, we pass Tarrytown, NY and go under the Tappan Zee Bridge and pass Nyack, NY. The shores along the Hudson are now rolling wooded hills dotted with homes on the east and the granite bluffs continue on the west rising to the first mountain, Hook Mountain, elevation 730 feet.
We continued north to Croton Point in Haverstraw Bay, to anchor in the protected bay near the town Croton on Hudson.
June 17. On to Cartland Yacht Club for two days. 4.8 Nm. Total 1710
Had a short day from our anchorage in Croton on Hudson to the Cortland Yacht Club in Montrose, NY.
We had our holding tank pumped out and got into our slip. Hooked up to electric and water, we filled our tanks and hopefully can get lots of photos downloaded.
Bill contacted Uber and we could connect with them to get us to a 3:00 tour of West Point Academy. Was a lovely drive through the mountains to get to West Point. Been awhile since we traveled on winding mountain roads.
We got through security and walked through the exhibit that explains the program the cadets go through at West Point to graduate. I was impressed by the code of West Point - Duty. Honor. Country and the physical, academic and strategic thinking aspects of the program. Makes me respect those young men and women who commit to the rigors of the program and the years of service to our nation.
The Academy was originally established as a series of fortifications on the strategic high ground on the Hudson River during the Revolutionary War.(1778). It played a significant role in winning the war, with the chaining of the Hudson River thwarting British ships from dividing the colonies. ( There are thirteen links of one of the chains used on display) West Point is the oldest continuously operating Army post in the United States.
This site was also where Benedict Arnold betrayed George Washington by plotting with the British to take the fortification at West Point. Benedict Arnold was held prisoner here after his capture. Kinda awe inspiring to stand where history was made.
During the Civil War, those that graduated from the Academy constituted almost every officer of note in the 60 major battles. 294 graduates served as officers for the Union and 151 served in the Confederacy.
The Academy was founded by President Thomas Jefferson in 1802, with impressive structures built from gray and black granite. It is the oldest military academy and has a large collection of Revolutionary War artifacts in the academy museum.
There were many statues of the countries leaders that graduated from West Point- Grant, Eisenhower, MacArthur, Thayer, Pershing, Patton and they included George Washington as he was at the site several times. Other generals who graduated from West Point are Omar Bradley, Schwarzkopf, Petraeus and Austin to name a few.
There are also a collection of cannons seized from battles in a variety of wars.
We were also impressed with the chapel on campus, built in Gothic style out of granite, with magnificent stained glass windows. The organ in the chapel has more pipes than any other organ in the nation. Would have loved to hear the organ being played.
After our return from West Point, we were invited to join the buffet and live music at the yacht club. Enjoyed getting to know some of the members and Bill again had his fill of boaters with which to share stories.
Bill got the drone up in the air around sunset. Here are some shots.
