Friday, August 31, 2012

Thursday, August 30, 2012

Chubby


Chubby, originally uploaded by Chris S Thorpe.
A Chubby farewell.... My neighbor's boat, "Chubby" was recently sold, this shot was taken as the new owner sailed off into the horizon. A fixture in the neighborhood, the 25 ft Marshal Cat will be missed by those of us who always smiled when we saw her profile on the bay.

Wednesday, August 29, 2012

Robert Moses Bridge


Moses Bridge, originally uploaded by Chris S Thorpe.
Summer crossings.....The Robert Moses Bridge is THE roadway linking Long Island's Suffolk County to "the beach" (aka Robert Moses State Park).  At the end of most summer beach days the north bound traffic can be a tad crowded!

Tuesday, August 28, 2012

Oyster Dredge

Oyster Dredge
A rare sight in recent years. A working oyster dredge in Long Island Sound where the oyster harvest can still support a few working boats. Long Island's once global oyster industry is attempting to regain a foothold through aqua farming.

Monday, August 27, 2012

Dockside Sunset


Dockside Sunset Oyster Bay, originally uploaded by Chris S Thorpe.
The Oyster Bay sunset celebrates the end to yet another "perfect" day on the water! Life is Good.

Sunday, August 26, 2012

South Street


South Street, originally uploaded by Chris S Thorpe.
South Street Seaport....a bit of New York seafaring history and a great spot to for a meandering stroll. From our viewpoint, as we sail by, the contrast of old ships and new buildings offers an impressive sight.

Saturday, August 25, 2012

Wildwood Days


Wildwood Days, originally uploaded by Chris S Thorpe.
Can that really be Labor Day down the end of the boardwalk?? I just took a hard look at my calendar.....

Friday, August 24, 2012

Staten Island Ferry


Staten Island Ferry, originally uploaded by Chris S Thorpe.
Few things in New York are free. The best bargain in town just might be the free ride on the Staten Island Ferry with it's gorgeous views of New York Harbor. Interestingly, the ferry never really "turns around"..it just changes direction as the stern becomes the bow and vice-versa. One would think that the endless back and forth navigation just might become rather tedious for the crew members!

Thursday, August 23, 2012

Liberty Landing Train Station


Liberty LandingTrain Station, originally uploaded by Chris S Thorpe.
A hundred years ago,the CRRNJ (Central Railroad of New Jersey) terminal was the gateway to all points west and often the first destination for immigrants after being processed through Ellis Island. Now a museum and an integral part of Liberty Landing State Park, the terminal was the start of many American success stories. If one listens quietly enough, the echoes of ancestors filled with fear, adventure and excitement can still be heard. The place is a must-see on many genealogy buff's bucket list!

Wednesday, August 22, 2012

Seven Forty am


Seven Forty am, originally uploaded by Chris S Thorpe.
It's always nice to know what time it is when you are sailing on the Hudson. The Colgate Clock has actually been a part of the New York landscape since 1906, a Colgate Clock has been on the Jersey side of the river since 1924. When the corporation moved to the mid-west in the 1980's it was agreed that the clock would remain under the stewardship of the new landowner. At any rate, I suppose there's no excuse for being unaware of the time if you have a view of the river....

Tuesday, August 21, 2012

Staten Island Bound


Ferry Newhouse, originally uploaded by Chris S Thorpe.
On a mission and full speed ahead.....Perhaps the best navigational advice in these situations is to stay out of the way! The Staten Island ferries are a constant factor in New York Harbor, always cross to the stern!  -:)

Monday, August 20, 2012

Beyond The Queensbourgh Bridge


Beyond Queensbourgh Crop, originally uploaded by Chris S Thorpe.
Some bridges just have too many names. Off our stern as we head north on the East River is the newly re-named "Mayor Edward Koch Bridge". Really??...To me the "Queensbourgh Bridge" will always be the "59th Street Bridge". After all, how many bridges have songs named after them?? (Feeling Groovey...)



Sunday, August 19, 2012

Double Skin Barge


Double Skin Barge, originally uploaded by Chris S Thorpe.
Sharing the "road"....New York City waterways offer little tolerance for unaware or careless boaters. That's an awful lot of barge moving at a steady pace...

Saturday, August 18, 2012

Passing Manhattan Bridge


Passing Manhattan Bridge, originally uploaded by Chris S Thorpe.
Sailing under the East River crossings provides a very different perspective. Passing the Manhattan bridge and heading north towards the next six bridges before the Sound will provide impressive views. Life is good.

Friday, August 17, 2012

Taryn Ann


Taryn Ann, originally uploaded by Chris S Thorpe.
Fishing on Long Island does not get much better than now through mid-Autumn. The party boat fleet out of Captree has been scoring well with fluke and bluefish and stories abound about the "one that got away"!

Thursday, August 16, 2012

Hell Gate Bridge


Astoria Train Bridge, originally uploaded by Chris S Thorpe.
Hell Gate... The train bridge in Astoria, Queens marks a narrow stretch of the East River where currents can literally push boats backwards. Proper prior planning is a must here where radical changes in depth can cause rips and standing waves. Very strong currents from the East River and Long Island Sound converge in this narrow passageway. Navigating through this infamous area is all about timing, tide tables and current information dictate a prudent arrival for any boater.

Wednesday, August 15, 2012

Downtown Evening


Downtown Evening, originally uploaded by Chris S Thorpe.
Table with a view? As the lights come on in Lower Manhattan I regret not having packed my tripod for our sailing adventure. Time to take those "mental pictures"!

Tuesday, August 14, 2012

Monday, August 13, 2012

LaGuardia Landing


LaGuardia Landing, originally uploaded by Chris S Thorpe.
In the flight path....One leg of our sailing adventure took us past LaGuardia's very active runway. While perhaps not the most quiet of routes, it was impressive to watch as aircraft descended low over our mast!

Sunday, August 12, 2012

Barge Bow


Barge Bow, originally uploaded by Chris S Thorpe.
Every boater knows not to pass between a tug and a barge (although some have tried). Depending upon conditions tow lines can exceed 1,000 feet in length and boaters need to be very aware in the dark of night. Long Island Sound sees it's share of commercial barge traffic at all hours of the day.

Saturday, August 11, 2012

Friday, August 10, 2012

Roosevelt Island Tram


Tram, originally uploaded by Chris S Thorpe.
When sailing around Manhattan there are always plenty of reasons to look up! Life is Good...

Thursday, August 09, 2012

Miss Freedom


Miss Freedom, originally uploaded by Chris S Thorpe.
Tourist Traffic....A cruise to see the harbor sights is a must for most tourists to the Big Apple. There is no better time for tour boats than the summer. For local boaters however, navigating New York's waters can be somewhat daunting at times.

Wednesday, August 08, 2012

From Liberty Landing


From Liberty Landing, originally uploaded by Chris S Thorpe.
The sweeping view from Liberty Landing Marina is well worth a stop over for any boater! There's plenty to do and see at Liberty Landing, the regular ferry service to Manhattan was a nice bonus.

Tuesday, August 07, 2012

Passing Brooklyn Bridge


Passing Brooklyn Bridge, originally uploaded by Chris S Thorpe.
It seems ironic that one of the oldest modes of transportation (sailing) is still one of the most effecient. No traffic to speak of as we traverse the length of Manhattan passing under bridges and not over them.
Life is good!

Sunday, August 05, 2012

Manhattan Sail


Manhattan Sail, originally uploaded by Chris S Thorpe.
Manhattan to starboard.......And we still asked for a "table with a view" when dinning out! Gotta love it.

Saturday, August 04, 2012

The Narrows


The Narrows, originally uploaded by Chris S Thorpe.
The Verrazano Narrows mark the entrance to New York Harbor. The Verrazano Narrows Bridge connects Brooklyn and Long Island to points south. I speak from first hand knowledge: passing under is much more enjoyable than crossing over as the bridge is frequently heavily traveled.

Friday, August 03, 2012

Harbor Tanker


Harbor Tanker, originally uploaded by Chris S Thorpe
There were times during our sailing adventure when we felt like the preveribial ant in an elephant parade. Sailing New York Harbor  is not carefree boating......

Thursday, August 02, 2012

Ferry Crossing


Ferry Crossing, originally uploaded by Chris S Thorpe.
The view from Liberty Landing Marina is impressive at all hours of the day. Convenient ferry service to Manhattan is from the marina's main dock. A very cool way to visit the City......

Wednesday, August 01, 2012

NY Morning


NY Morning, originally uploaded by Chris S Thorpe.
Good Morning New York.....sunrise from the peace and quiet of the Hudson River. Life is good!