TEXAS RANGER: Cape May, NJ to New York City, to Croton on Hudson, NY June 9-14

Texas Ranger, along with Spirit Journey and Akasha, departed Cape May mid-day with the intent to travel to Atlantic City, anchor for the night, and then move north to Sandy Hook, NJ and/or New York City the following day. This would give a briefer day to the other boats for their first offshore experience. The weather was nice, and we had no problems entering the Atlantic Ocean. There are no photos of our travel along the New Jersey coast, however, because less than an hour into our trip, fog engulfed us. I commented that, "this is like navigating at night, by radar and AIS". As the fog continued, and knowing how difficult the Atlantic City entrance channels and anchorage can be, I suggested that we just press on northward. The group agreed, and so we moved north up the New Jersey coast "blind". A front blew through earlier than forecasted about 0300, clocking the wind around ahead of the beam and making for a rougher ride. As planned, we turned out of the ocean into the Sandy Hook entrance channel just before daylight. By the time we were "inside", there was enough light to see. We all dropped our anchors, and retired to our berths for a morning nap.

About noon we arose and decided after considering the weather forecast to press on to New York City that afternoon. We had a delightful slow cruise through New York harbor, with lots of photos, and then docked at Liberty Landing Marina in Jersey City, just across the harbor from lower Manhattan. The next two days were spent touring New York (our first time). We obviously could not cover many locations we hope to return and visit someday, but did take in the World Trade Center Memorial and Museum, the Financial District, Brooklyn, Broadway (including the show Jersey Boys), a walk through Chinatown, and a drive past Central Park and Bellevue Hospital (important in medical history, and also notorious from "One Flew Over the Cuckoo's Nest"). Of course, we also toured several delis and subway trains, along with harbor ferries and many miles of sidewalks. The night before we departed, we were treated to an elaborate fireworks display just off our marina soon after our return from the City. As I reminded Kay, who else would have taken her to New York for her anniversary by boat, been joined by friends for a good dinner, and then had a fireworks display launched in celebration? (What a Romantic!)

Finally, we must be off, so all three boats moved north to Half Moon Bay Marina at Croton on Hudson. We passed the beautiful stone cliffs, the Palisades, as well as other notable sites such as Sing Sing Prison and perhaps less well-known, but nonetheless important in American literature, hamlets such as Irvington and Sleepy Hollow! Croton on Hudson is a lovely small town with a beautiful park and stunning views across the Hudson River. The boat will remain here a few days while I attend a diesel engine class in Essex, CT, and then the journey upriver will continue. Perhaps we will even see Rip Van Winkle in the Catskills, if he is up yet from his nap...