Oct 5-6:  To Norwalk, then Staten Island

     Monday we got up early to set out, having our sights set on Port Jefferson or Huntington, NY (both on Long Island) but the currents in Long Island sound kept us on the Connecticut side so we ended up in Norwalk instead.  It was sunnier and not as rough as last spring when we made this journey, but there was still a swell running and a fairly strong wind from the North.  It was good to be on our way again, despite the chill.  We had a fairly uneventful cruise, but lost time as we ended up against the current and tide, and we were happy to make it to Norwalk by sunset.  We were surprised to see so many boats still in the water here, but then again, lower New England has a longer sailing season than Maine does.  

Dawn in Wilson Cove, Norwalk CT.

     Tuesday we were away at dawn, which sounds early, but this time of year dawn is around 7 am.   It was a sunny, clear day, and the swells and winds of yesterday were much less today.  We had an almost immediate view of the NYC horizon, and watched in amazement as the smog layer thickened as the commuters descended into the city.  

     Our initial plan was to head for Manhasset Bay, just before Hell Gate and the East River, and time our entry into New York Harbor for Wednesday, but we found we were doing so well that we could ride the current through Hell Gate into the East River today, so that was what we did.  

     Again the weather was clearer, warmer, and the seas were calmer than they were last spring, but the place is still a bit of a zoo.  Still, it’s kind of a thrill to come around Manhattan by water, seeing the buildings we’ve seen mostly on television, and to imagine just how many people live and work in this area.  Last time I completely missed both the UN building and the new Freedom tower where the twin towers were (I plead fog and being completely overwhelmed by the spring experience) so I am including those pictures in this blog.  

     Last time, we went up the Hudson to start the Down East Circle Tour.  This time we headed down to the Narrows, to go under the Verrazano Bridge.  The current remained with us until the bridge, and we began to look for a place to anchor.

     In Camden, while we made use of the Schooner Lewis R French dock, we met a couple of cruisers who recommended Skipper Bob publications to us.  I bought both the book on Anchorages and the one on Marinas for the Intracoastal Waterway, pleased to note that these publications are inexpensive, thorough, and they cover the entire coastal route from Waterford, NY (the start of the Erie Canal) to the Florida Keys.  There are many guides to the ICW but most begin at Norfolk, VA, many of them only cover the ICW in portions, and their prices are usually around $50 each.  Skipper Bob Publications was a GREAT recommendation!  

     There were three anchorages listed between the Verrazano Bridge and Sandy Hook, NJ, and we chose to stay in the third one - Great Kills Harbor on Staten Island.  

     It’s a pretty little cove with several marinas, fairly well protected, with dinghy access to one of the Gateway National Parks.  Dan and I went for a long walk in the late afternoon, enjoying the warm weather and the sun.