Voyages of MV "Anthem"

Oyster Bay, Long Island

2005-08-09T16:55:00.000-07:00

From the East River we traveled to one of the Eastern most Anchorages on Long Island Sound and spent the night. The next day we traveled the 40 miles or so West to spend a few days in Oyster Bay. This quiet community is home to some big names and we anchored in sight of John McEnroe's home and around the corner from Billy Joel's home. The anchorage was near ideal for this area and was within easy reach of a marina via dinghy. We thought about taking a mooring but at $1.50 per foot for a floating ball, we opted for our own anchor. In the pic above Anthem is anchored just outside the mooring field.

Hudson River South and the Harlem River

2005-08-08T17:14:00.000-07:00

After leaving our Anchorage near Newburgh, we backtracked South on the Hudson making an overnight stop once again near the Harmon Croton Park. The next morning we steamed past the shores of Sing Sing prison (actually called Ossining now to clear up confusion over which was the prison, and which was the town). Beyond Ossining we passed Yonkers and then turned to make way for the Long Island Sound via the Harlem River. This narrow channel that makes Manhattan an island is an 8 mile stretch that is crossed by about 24 bridges. These bridges do not open without a city referendum (or at least thats the impression we got). No worries, according to the book, we could clear them all. The first mate was not so sure. The Captain bellowed "damn the bridges, full steam ahead" Actually it was more like "damn the bridges, I have to go to the head". The first mate replying, "you can go in a bottle, because you're not leaving the helm".

While you wouldn't call the Harlem River the most scenic leg of the trip (if fact it's a stretch just calling it a River), it was among the most interesting. On this short stretch, you pass through the Bronx and the inner city and then Yankees stadium. (photos temporarily misplaced) The surreal part is doing so from a rather conspicuous motoryacht. We waved at the locals as we passed by. Most responded with a stoic glare that seemed to say. "What the heck are you doing here and stick you silly hands back in you pockets". Ah... New York.

2005-08-06T20:33:00.000-07:00

For one brief shining moment....

2005-08-06T20:30:00.000-07:00

Brenda reads on the aft deck as the sun fades.

At the start of our journey back South on the Hudson, we stopped to anchor near Bannerman's Island. The ruins of his castle built as a Summer retreat in the 20's still stand.

2005-08-04T20:22:00.000-07:00

View from Washington's HQ on the Hudson. Mountain top beacon fires served as a warning of approaching British ships invading the Hudson at West Point.

2005-08-04T20:19:00.000-07:00

While in Newburgh, we toured Washington's headquarters for the last year of the war.

2005-08-04T20:16:00.000-07:00

Newburgh's waterfront offers a tempting array of restaurants.

2005-08-04T20:14:00.000-07:00

Anthem at the dock in Newburgh, NY

2005-08-03T20:09:00.000-07:00

From the water, you have a striking view of West Point Academy

2005-08-03T20:08:00.000-07:00

Heading farther up the Hudson, the landscape takes on a new look.

2005-08-01T19:56:00.000-07:00

Street scene in Nyack, NY

Stopping in Nyack and staying on a mooring, we took the afternoon to tour Nyack, NY. Turned out to be a good stop with a few small grocery stores and some quality atmosphere. These streets are where writer Carson McClure spent her last 20 years or so.

2005-07-30T19:53:00.000-07:00

Anthem heads North on the Hudson passing under the George Washington bridge

St. Paul's church at the Trade Center

2005-07-29T19:35:00.000-07:00

St. Paul's church interior

As many may remember, St. Paul's church located at the foot the Trade Center survived with no significant damage. The church then became a haven for many of the recovery workers immediately after the disaster and for those searching for missing loved ones.

WTC site as seen from St. Paul's graveyard

Alter with "missing" posters and momentos

2005-07-28T19:01:00.000-07:00

Brenda and Jeff tour the ever popular Empire State Building which is again the tallest building in NYC.

2005-07-24T19:25:00.000-07:00

World Trade Center site

It is difficult to wrap you mind around the magnitude of devastation that must have existed when these buildings came down. Each building was more than double the size of the tallest neighboring buildings. You find yourself staring up in a futile attempt to imagine what it must have been like.

The building from which this photo was taken was nearly buried in the rubble of the World Trade Center.

2005-07-23T21:29:00.000-07:00

Dewayne and Felicia liv'n large in Times Square

2005-07-23T19:27:00.000-07:00

Central Park

Central park is perhaps the best part of NYC. In many areas you experience a bit of deja vu even if you have never been to NY. Consider the effect the result of hundreds of hours of TV and movies. This shot was taken on a lake near John Lennon's former residence.

2005-07-22T19:29:00.000-07:00

Anthem cruises past Liberty

Cruising into NY Harbor was a highlight although a bit nerve-wracking. The Statue of Liberty let us know we were on course.

2005-07-20T19:38:00.000-07:00

Molly Pitcher Inn in Redbank

We made a side trip to Redbank, NJ which is in the NYC area. This was a great place to hang for a couple of days while waiting for our friends Dewayne and Felicia to arrive from Chattanooga.

2005-07-20T19:37:00.000-07:00

Anthem Docked at the Molly Pitcher marina in Redbank

We had a great view of the Navesink river from our dock at the Molly Pitcher. If you look hard you can see Jon Bon Jovi's house in the distance.

2005-07-20T19:36:00.000-07:00

Town of Redbank NJ

Redbank had some great restaurants and shops. Turned out to be great place to celebrate Brenda's birthday.

2005-07-20T19:34:00.000-07:00

Twin Lights light house on the Navesink River near Sandy Hook

From the Twin Lights light house you had a great view of the Atlantic and Sandy Hook. The light is not exactly new equipment; it was dedicated by President Lincoln.

2005-07-20T19:33:00.000-07:00

Jeff and Brenda at the top of the Twin Lights tower

2005-07-17T19:43:00.000-07:00

The QE 2 in NY Harbor

On our first visit to the city via high speed ferry, we ran across the QE II. According to my calculations, assuming our current rate of boat length progression, Brenda and I will own a boat of this size in the year 3050. Anthem 572

2005-07-17T19:42:00.000-07:00

The NYSE

I asked where I could find lost and found. I told the security guard that I had lost a couple hundred thousand bucks in this building and thought maybe someone had found it. He responded by shouting something about "threat code 54" in his radio. I didn't stick around to find out what that meant.