Day 307: Monday, July 8, 2013
Port to Port: Kingston, NY to Houghtaling Anchorage
Underway: 9:45 am Motor Off: 5:03 pm Miles Traveled: 40/37 Stayed At: Anchor
First Things First: First day we traveled with the mast down.
Mile 62 to Mile 25: We finally cast off our lines and escaped from our home away from home. Adagio, Daybreak and even Battered Bull all left today. The marina will never be the same. (Although a beautiful fully restored 70+ foot long sloop – the Belle Aventure – pulled in a few minutes after the Battered Bull left). It was tough to say goodbye but we hope to see some of our new friends along the way.
It took awhile to get back into travel mode. We were worried about the currents, the weather, where we were going to anchor and all the little worries that go into a normal travel day. By afternoon our worries subsided and we really enjoyed the beautiful scenery passing us by along the Hudson River. All was right with the world. We went by and recognized one of the anchorages we stayed at on our trip in 2002 – I could picture it like it happened yesterday. The thunderstorms formed to our east and behind us so we stayed in bright sunshine all day. As a bonus, we got one last boost from the tidal current and made 40 miles towards our goal – Canada or bust!
We had forgotten how much we like the quiet solitude of a lonely anchorage. We listened to the thunder from a far off storm, the loud squacks of some type of waterbird, the splash of fish all around and even the passing music of an ice cream truck traveling along an unseen highway. Okay, so its not totally quiet but it was peaceful.
Unless a surprise happens in the next couple of days, we have decided to take the long route around to the Trent Severn. There are too many uncertainties about when the Erie will be able to open. We are better off taking our chances by going north. It will definitely be an adventure. To the north and beyond.
In Passing: Turkey Point, Skilpot Island, Duck Cove, Foxes Creek, Corlear Kill, Stotville, Stockport Middle Ground, Caryman Hill, Rattlesnake Island, Coxsackie Cr.
