The Hudson

Over the last few days we have been working our way down the Hudson River (SOUTH!)  In fact I just figured out how to calculate distance on a track and since we have been using just one track from Penatang to here I can report with complete accuracy that we have covered 1211KM to date.  Not bad given the detours and delays.

We left off at the Troy Lock, the last one on the Erie Canal system just outside of Waterford and headed for Catskill.  To help along the way there area series of light houses all built to a common standard but each a little unique none the less.

If light houses are not quite your idea of excitement you can always take a quick cat nap in the late morning sun before it warms up too much later in the day.

Once you get up again you will note that since the Hudson runs North / South through some very busy industrial and residential areas you will see lots of bridges - big tall bridges of all kinds.  My personal favourites are the 19th century stone and iron truss style with the support provided from girding below.  That said, the modern suspension bridges are elegant and require fewer pilings and support.  How ever you like your bridges - you will find them here.

Gotta love all that steel and rivets!

Modern large span suspension bridge

Modern Pilings Old Steel Rail lines above

Between the bridges you might have to dodge a tug or two as they shuttle materials from one plant to another.  Quite impressive rigs - and they throw less of a wake than Reviresco does.

The industrial nature of the Hudson can't be overlooked.  There are a great number of gravel pits along the shores that supply the barges and no doubt construction in NY NY - they have to get their building materials from somewhere and the river makes a convenient location.

To put the scale in perspective - there is a huge bulldozer working at the top of one of those piles of gravel on the right side of the picture - I saw it after we passed the factory.

Nuclear Plan (I think)  The water temp went up to 81F from 69F up river!

That said, there were more interesting and picturesque views to be enjoyed as well.

The Old West Point Campus building

The New West Point Campus building and marina

Bannerman Castle on the Hudson

Catskill did not seem like much of a place on the map, and it was a very small town, but the people there were really quite nice and we met up with Captain Steve Martin (not as funny - but very good natured and a wealth of information) who was curious about our boat and stopped over to help us dock. He helped orient us to the task of getting to the Chesapeake from personal experience as a delivery captain.

Once we left Catskill we went on to Haverstraw - where we are now bringing our first leg of the journey to an end.  It's a nice marina with a pool and other more impressive neighbouring boats to keep you humble.

Sculpture as you enter Havistraw Marina

As we get closer to NY NY - everything starts getting bigger!

We have made arrangements to store Reviresco on the hard for a month or so and then to move her further south again when the weather gets better.  We will continue the blog from time to time as we make progress.

More to come!!

Cheers!!