Trip to/from Schenectady

 Because we had paid for transient berthing at Liberty Landing Marina, they allowed us to store the boat and truck in their boatyard for a few days... but the cost of storing there for the duration of our cruise would have been prohibitive...not to mention the fact we'd have to drive back to NYC before proceeding.  So we dedicated the day to "transport", in more ways than one.

We had decided on a marina in Schenectady on the Mohawk River (which connects to the Erie Canal) and which was not too far from a train station and had a launch ramp as a place to store the car and truck for a little while.  Besides being near the train, its not all that far from Vermont... which is one of those states I need to check off.  That way we'll have a car to drive to visit the maple syrup state.

The drive out of the NYC area was hairy.  I don't think my Californian husband will ever get used to toll roads (they have so few in CA).  It's not that they are that difficult, but each section seems to handle the toll collection differently.

Soon, however we were enjoying lovely scenery... along the Hudson, the Catskills.  It is going to be a lovely cruise.  We arrived at the marina and we got a preview of what the Erie will be like.  Very peaceful, wouldn't you agree?

So remember when I said the day would be devoted to transportation?  My dear husband loves trains..as well as boats...oh and he likes planes and cars too.  But trains are his thing.  So off we went to the Amtrak station.

The tracks are next to the Hudson all the way almost to NYC so we enjoyed the river and mountains once again.  We arrived at Penn station and, what did we see when we exited?  The Empire State Building.  Check that off the list!

We walked a few blocks to the PATH station (the subway train to Jersey City).  I was reminded of all those TV shows and movies (Risky Business).  Robbie got to ride 2 trains today!

We shopped at a tiny Chinese market in Jersey City for our provisions and then took a taxi back to the marina.  Ahh!  Its great to be "home".

This evening we giggled as we watched our "neighbors" bathing their 9-month old in a Tupperware container on the dock.  Boy did he enjoy that bath!  Improvision is part of the fun of boat camping.

After dark all of us boaters were thrilled to see a huge fireworks display from Ellis Island, right behind our marina.  We couldn't figure out what was special about a Tuesday evening in July, but apparently NYC has fireworks at random locations throughout the summer.  It was a great show and the whole marina honked their boat horns in appreciation.

Fun in Manhattan

Liberty Landing Marina is right next to the Jersey City ferry which is $7 to get to Manhattan.  We landed right near two monuments which really choke me up.  The first was a monument to the Starving Irish immigrants.  Both of us had Irish immigrant ancestors and it is a sobering thought to realize all they went through.  Then we crossed the street and we were at the 9/11 memorial.  Two big holes in the ground (now made into fountains, with names engraved around them).

Next was a typical fast and furious NY cab ride to Times Square where we had booked two nights (for convenience sake).  We enjoyed 3 plays: Kinky Boots, Bullets over Broadway, and Disney's Newsies.  All were excellent and we wished we could see more shows, but even at the discount ticket booth prices, everyone has a limit.  I'm still hoping to convince Rob to squeeze in Matilda, the musical, before we leave...  there is nothing like a Broadway play...except maybe a London play... maybe we can sail Freedom to London?

Kinky Boots, music by Cindi Lauper... officially voted our "second favorite" musical (Miss Saigon still wins)

Rob loved Bullets over Broadway... I thought Zack Braff (from Scrubs). was great and the singing and dancing talent was marvelous.  Unfortunately, the songs were just OK.... old time songs like "Yes we have no bananas?!"

Newsies (a Disney production) was excellent.  The leads were new to Broadway but had fantastic voices and stage presence.  And the athletic, masculine dancing was amazing!

The hotel was fine, but a bit too close to the action!  I begged my high school BFF Shawn to please take us somewhere pretty for dinner.  We were enchanted with Chelsea and really enjoyed our walk on the Highline (an old raised subway platform converted to a pedestrian park up the West side of Manhattan).  Google the Highline in NYC... its an amazing project.

Walking the Highline

Happy to be back at the boat with our FABULOUS view

Lady Liberty

The drive from West Chester PA to Jersey City NJ was, for the most part, uneventful.  A little nervewracking perhaps... but we arrived at Liberty Landing State Park launch ramp around noon.  Imagine our thrill as we ventured out into NY Harbor.

It was extremely "bumpy" out there thanks to the multiple ferries crossing from NYC to/from all the other islands and burroughs.  I tried to get some great shots of the Statue of Liberty, but most ended up blurry or, at best, crooked!  It was so exciting to be there on our own boat!

Never fear, Miss Liberty... Freedom the Cape(d) Cruiser is here!

At the dock at Liberty Landing Marina

After docking the boat we had to figure out how to get back to the state park launch ramp to retrieve the car and trailer... its about 3 miles away.  Our fun e-bikes were a blast to ride, along a lovely paved boardwalk overlooking the NYC skyline.  Fantastic!

The view at night from our boat!  The tall building is the new World Finance Center

That evening a high school friend of mine who settled in NJ met us for a fun dinner of Cuban food.  It was great catching up with her, meeting her grown daughter.  We still can complete each other's sentences even after 40 years separation.