October 7

This morning we began with a radio call to our friends at 0700. We quickly concluded that there was no fog and we should move on the New York City. We had a following wind that wasn't blowing hard and the current against us as the tide was rising. We were soon through World's End and sailing past West Point. It is an impressive sight sitting at this choke point of the Hudson River where our forefathers fought to keep the British from dominating the area by controlling the river.
Later we pulled into Haverstraw Marina and filled our water and fuel tanks and emptied our holding tank. The wind had picked up so we put up our genoa and continued motorsailing. We began to benefit from an ebbing tide and reached over 7 knots through the water and even faster over the ground. We still had time to oogle the beautiful scenery along this stretch of the river.
Almost before we knew it we were past the Tappan Zee Bridge and under the George Washington Bridge. The western shore became New Jersey and the tall buildings of the city became individually recognizable. Here the Empire State Building dominates the scene.
New York wouldn't be New York without a few crazy sights. As we neared the Statue of Liberty, we passed this representative group crossing a very busy harbor on some sort of pedal boat vehicles. They were flying various flags-Giants, Jets, Marines, etc. What they were attempting to do we could not determine but they certainly were having a ball.
No matter how many times we pass the Statue of Liberty, we still stare in awe. It is truly an inspiraton. Our anchorage tonight in on the Jersey shore behind the Statue of Liberty. It is a good spot, which is helpful since the wind increased tonight shortly after we put the hook down. I am writing this and listening to the Yankees losing a third game against the Indians. Annette has just finished talking on the phone with our friend Yasmine. Tomorrow we start down the Atlantic.