Staten Island to Croton-on-Hudson

Tuesday - June 5, 2018     Staten Island to Croton-on-Hudson

Yup, the wind has died down and the sun was out, looking to be a beautiful day for our cruise
up the Hudson River. Off the dock a little after 8:00 am. With the help of Frank, we are able to run a more direct course to New York Harbor. As luck would have it the clouds came in so our photo ops were not the best, sorry. Nevertheless, cruising into NY Harbor offers a sight that is just awesome! Add in the Statue of Liberty and the World-famous Staten Island Ferry and, yes, what a country we live in!

Verrazano-Narrows Double-Decked Suspension Bridge
Connects Staten Island and Brooklyn

Lower Manhattan Skyline

Our run up the Hudson was a bit slower than we would have liked as we ran against a strong current all the way to Croton-on-Hudson. Our destination, Half Moon Bay Marina and Steve the dock master. Steve is something else, as he is constantly running up and down the docks assisting all the Loopers that make it their stop of choice heading north on the river. He is there to direct us to our slip, help with the lines and power cord then has paper work with a map to the local nearby stores and a list of nearby restaurants. I see why each year so many Loopers stop there. After settling in, we took a walk along the rivers edge that ended with a beautiful memorial to the victims of 9/11. The memorial is a hugh sundial with the center piece being a section of steel from one of the Towers.

Wednesday - June 6, 2018

Our second day in Croton-on-Hudson was spent with our very good friends Greg & Merinda who live about a half hour away. We began with a nice little snack from the local Italian deli. So good... After, the plan was to drive to West Point and have lunch at the Hotel Thayer on the base. On the way we stopped at the Croton Gorge Dam. Greg thought this dam was part of the water supply for NYC.  Lunch at the Hotel Thayer was in the Patton Tavern overlooking the Hudson. After lunch we tried to take a little ride around the base but found we had to get a special visitor pass at the visitors’ center. We opted to skip the base ride and instead made our way to Cold Spring, NY. What a beautiful little village right on the Hudson River. Turns out Merinda’s son has his new business here, right on the little Main Street. He is a hair stylist, both men and women, and has added a wine bar in the back of the shop. So, while you have your kids’ hair cut, mom or dad can enjoy a glass of wine or beer. What a great idea! Good thing this type of shop didn’t exist when Patrick was young. I would have taken him once a week, if not more. While in Cold Spring we had to make a stop at the ice cream shop, Moo Moo's before returning to the boat. It never fails but when we are with Greg & Merinda we always have a fun filled day with food and lots of laughs.

Croton Gorge Dam

Greg & Merinda