A few comments from Jim

Well, Brenda and Joel have had a bit to say and I expect that Joel will add more soon but I thought I would say a few things.

I think the trip so far has been a lot of fun and filled with new adventures.  Travel-wise the boat has so far been handling very well.  Made it through Hell Gate in New York City without much hassle.  Biggest problem there was the mega-yacht coming out just as we were entering and leaving quite a wake we had to negotiate.  After Hell Gate came the west side of Roosevelt Island that was equally as rough but we did OK.

Both Joel and I were quite surprised at how little boat traffic there was in NY Harbor.  Lots of ferry traffic but essentially no commercial traffic.  

Statue of Liberty was quite something.  Obviously seem from a distance on the East River.  I can only imagine so many felt as they arrived at Ellis Island.

The Hudson River has been very beautiful.  Until this afternoon we have been blessed with wonderful weather, sunny and warm so we have been able to see the great scenery.

It is really weird to be boating on the river.  As ALL our boating has been on Vineyard Sound or the Gulf of Mexico, we are always accustomed to some waves and ever some chop.  The river is flat as they come but with occasional current.  

Some of you might notice that we actually changed our plans a bit.  We reconsidered the stopping places for tonight and last night.  We had planned a visit in Tarrytown last night but we would have been there by 0930.  By going to Newburgh we had a full morning of cruising and then made it easily this morning to New Baltimore and we are now positioned only 15nm from Troy Lock and 40 miles from our destination tomorrow night at Lock 5.  we have made reservations at various marinas from here on.  Except for July 4th, there was no problem getting s reservation anywhere.  We tried to stay in Burlington on the 3rd but there was no place at the Inn.  

Our next few stops are Lock 5, Lock 12, Essex, Burlington, Basin Harbor Club and then heading towards Falmouth with some as-yet unknown stops.