NEW YORK CITY

After passing under the Tappan Zee Bridge at Tarrytown, it’s possible to see the skyline of NYC in the distance. Although this side of the Hudson is quite built up with lovely homes sprinkled across the hillside, we were amazed to see its western banks still devoid of human habitation. The whole Jersey shore from Nyak right down to the George Washington Bridge which crosses into Manhattan, was primarily forested. There are huge basaltic columns rising up from the water and very steep cliffs on the Jersey side—very wild and rugged. We were also surprised at the lack of boat traffic. We tied up to a mooring ball just in front of Grants Tomb in a very elegant part of the city at the base of 79th street only a few blocks from Central Park. The current was very strong here and we had to gimball the stove to keep things from spilling but it was pleasant being rocked to sleep with the waves. The river here is lined with a lovely park, trees and apartment buildings. We sat out on deck and watched as the sun set and lights in the city came on. It was a magical moment and we found it hard to believe that we were actually in NYC.

We left early the next morning in rush-hour traffic. As we passed Manhattan and headed out to the Statue of Liberty, water ferries rushed everywhere! The river was confused and choppy from all of the traffic and we had to work hard to maneuver the boat across the resulting wakes. Once past the statue however the seas calmed and as we entered the Atlantic beyond the city we settled into a gentle toll and headed toward Sandy Hook, our first stop on the Jersey coast.