June 18 -25 Up the Hudson and to the Erie Canal

We visit with FDR and Eleanor at Hyde Park
Highway signs on the waterway
Sue at the Culinary Institute


Up the Hudson River to the Erie Canal


June 17
Left NYC and said farewell to the skyline as we passed through New York City and Yonkers. Anchored tonight in Haverstraw Bay. Took the dingy to Half Moon Marina and walked to a local grocery store that had a great selection of fresh produce. Also, we found the local wine store and a store to buy beer. Lots of locals anchor here and it is a weekend so lots of other boats and activity around here.

The landscape is changing as we cruise up the Hudson. Much more trees although we still see the commuter trains heading back and forth from NYC. We went to Pollepel Island and anchored.

June 19th, 34 miles, MM62 Roundout marina, Kingston NY, 2 nights $190
Went into Kingston Monday June 19 and stayed at Roundout Yacht Basin. We then rented a car and were able to do some grocery shopping. It’s very hot and humid. We even spent some time at their pool for a dip, which felt very good.
On Tuesday June 20 we went to Hyde Park and Culinary Institute of America. Hyde Park was a large estate overlooking the Hudson River. It was a large home but unpretentious and our guide was very knowledgeable about the history of FDR. His library was there as was the gravesite of FDR and Eleanor. It gave you a new appreciation for FDR and the adversities that he dealt with both personally and in guiding our country. Then to the Culinary Institute which used to be a monastery. It’s huge and also on the Hudson River. 2400 students attend the Institute for 1 ½ yrs and 2 more for those going on to get a bachelors degree. We ate in the French restaurant and had a delicious meal. We then left and tried to visit a couple wineries but both were closed today. So just returned the car and settled in for the evening.
June 21, 62 miles, MM O, Wateford, NY free dock
On Wednesday June 21, we left Kingston and went all the way to Waterford today to the free city docks. Could not get in at the floating dock with water and electricity so we ended up on the lock wall for the night. We’re amazed at all the debris in the Hudson – lots of huge logs and branches that one must constantly watch for and avoid.
On Thursday we moved over today to the city dock with water and electricity. A little later Pelican came in and tied up behind us. Got our mail from the post office and did a little shopping.
Still here in Waterford on Friday as the weather forecast is for storms later today. Su and Jim on Palmetto Moon are coming in so we will stay and get to see them.
They did make it later along with Bob and June on Leg race. Got pizza and had a good evening with all of them on Palmetto Moon.
June 24, 23 miles, Lock 8 lock wall
On Saturday June 24, it’s time to leave Waterford and start the Erie Canal. The first five locks must be done all at one so that took 1 ½ and was quite tiring. The locks raise you and some were quite high. You have to grab a line entering the lock and then hold the boat steady as water flows into the lock. After the first five we were ready for a break and it was nearly ½ hour till the next lock. After the 8th lock we tied up on the lock wall for the night.
June 25, 37 miles, Canajaharie NY, free dock
Left early on Suanday and did five more locks today. They are not as high so it was a little less tiring and time consuming. We were anxious about getting a spot at the free dock at Canajaharie but no one was there when we got here at about 2. So we tied up and later Palmetto Moon came in. Of course, until about ½ hour before they came in, no other boats were there. However, it started raining at about 4 and all of a sudden the docks were full. We ended up rafting them next to us.
We then all went into town and had pizza at the local pizza joint. We ate with two couples from a canal boat that they had rented for the week and another couple on a boat called Briney Bug .