Great Loop Cruise Video

Moving again

It's been a nice but short break here at Newport Marina in Jersey City. View attachment 66202 Now it's time to start on the most beautiful and interesting leg of the east coast. About 0830 we'll be casting off and heading up the Hudson River. First stop will be Poughkeepsie for one night and Saturday we'll head up to Albany where we'll lay over for a few days to lower the arch and change the anode for fresh water. Good sights to be seen on the bowcam. Manhattan, Palasades, George Washington Bridge, Bear Mountain, Bannerman's Castle, West Point just to name a few.
We had some nice company here.

Thought you'd like that. She's a classy old lady. A Trumpy.

She bears the Trump scroll, etched into her bow.

Thanks for the heads up Roger. I heard a boat got turned sideways and drawn into the wall on 9 also, sustaining some damage. With the flooding lately the current needs to be watched. There's also a lot of wood coming into the Hudson the past couple of days as they're opening sections of the Erie. Currents are what they are, but my biggest concern is that some locks may get damaged and have to close. All part of the adventure.

I want to give a recommendation for the Albany Y.C. and in particular Bob who's changing our anodes (he's working in one heck of a current), and also Steve and Evan who helped us lower the arch and fabricated a steel deck for under our stbd. batteries (the 30 year old plywood gave out). On Memorial day weekend I wouldn't be surprised to hear 'we'll do it on Tuesday', but instead they worked Saturday night, Sunday and Bob will be back under today. Good people; good place.

The wife and I will take today off to do a bit of touring. Tomorrow we're expecting some thunderstorms in the afternoon. So our current plan is to head up to Waterford tomorrow and enter the canal on Wednesday. That'll also give the canal a chance to clear some more.
Wish I could let everyone watch off our stern as we go through those first 3 locks. The view is impressive. When I came east a few years ago I remember the feeling like I'd drive off the side of a mountain if I went into the lock too fast. Even going west though, Wednesday will be a time when people want to watch the bow cam. (Assuming we don't enter the canal Tuesday afternoon.)

Moment of Truth

In about an hour we'll set off for the Troy locks. Do I have Valhalla adequately fended for whichever side they put us on? Are my lines set in the right positions and long enough? Will my crew be able to hold onto 74,000 pounds of boat and will plans a), b), c) & d) have me covered if something adverse pops up and will I be able to come up with plans X,Y & Z if needed?

Even with 57 years on the water, there's still the anticipation and butterflies when about to do something new . That's what boating is all about; adventure.

Climbing the mountain

Last night we stayed in Waterford at the mouth of the Erie Canal.



This morning we'll be climbing 252' through a series of 10 locks on our way to Amsterdam. The first 169' will be climbed through 5 locks in the first 2.15 miles. Busy morning.

You know the job. 24/7.. If you're not doing, you're thinking about what needs to be done.