Boat Traffic

Boat Traffic, originally uploaded by Chris S Thorpe.
The view through the rigging....Photography while sailing has it's challenges.

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.

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!

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.

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.

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.

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.....

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!

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!

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....

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!  -:)

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...)

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...

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.

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"!

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.

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"!

Robert Moses Sunrise

Robert Moses Sunrise, originally uploaded by Chris S Thorpe.
Good Morning Long Island....The summer sun rises over the Robert Moses Bridge. Life is Good!

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!

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.

Riverside

Riverside, originally uploaded by Chris S Thorpe.
The late afternoon sun lights up lower Manhattan...seen from Liberty Landing Marina/Park.

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...

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.

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.

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!

Good Morning NY

Good Morning NY, originally uploaded by Chris S Thorpe.
Getting an early start...Good Morning New York!

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.

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.

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......

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......

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!