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Ship’s Log 6.21 Hudson

 The ride up the Hudson was gorgeous as promised: mansions on bluffs with rolling lawns dropping down to the waterside, picturesque small towns and cozy rivers shacks hugging the bank, craggy islands mid-river, perfect for a quick swim. 

We decide to take a dip, Mason gently nudging his sister in (ha). It feels wonderfully refreshing. Wm, Meade, and I paddle around while Mason continues with his fishing endeavors. It really feels like we’re the only ones on the river. We wrap up our dip and continue on our way. I am starting lunch (smoked salmon in pita with creamy dill and fresh cucumbers, yum) when Mason casually mentions, The Coast Guard is pulling us over. Gulp. I am looking great in a bathing suit and towel with smoked salmon on my hands: Come on aboard, fine sirs!

There are two young guys that inspect our boat while a middle-aged man drives their skiff alongside. The two nice fellows follow me around as I show off my disaster preparedness (newly anointed Jr PDC crown sparkling on my brow, ha): boat papers, life jackets, fire extinguishers, a life ring, flares, EPIRB, and a whistle. We pass inspection, and they give us a report to take with us. Turns out the 3rd man was stationed in Charleston on Tradd Street, so we’re finding friends everywhere. Wm rolls his eyes at me when one of the guys says I did great and to call them if we ever need anything. I am definitely preening my feathers at the compliments. 

We continue on our idyllic way, getting close to the Erie Canal entrance at Waterford, NY. We enter our first lock which is a bit intimidating but goes fine. I’m excited to break out my new gloves I bought for the occasion. Mason thinks I’m way too comfortable dorking out. And he’s right. Meade happily puts a glove on, and we all grab a slimy line on the lock wall. After he takes our boat ID, the lock master tells me there are supposed to be 60 mph winds tonight. We knew we we were in for some rain but not that kind of wind. Let the panicking commence!

We can’t get anybody on the phone at Waterford Dock so I reserve a slip slightly off track up the Hudson (above Waterford) where I know there’s power hookup and a secure spot.  Wm wants to swing by Waterford, just to check. Turns out there is room to tie up but no power. As we’re figuring this out,we meet a man from Johns Island, SC and compare routes. When I mention Oswego, he tells me, “Oh, you can’t go that way. Canada has just extended their Covid restrictions and won’t let Americans in.” He explains that you can get a captain to take your boat through the Welland Canal and meet them on the other side but it costs money and should be planned in advance. And you need to arrange transportation to get you to the Southern end of the Canal. The other option is to take down our masthead and Bimini to get under some very low bridges. This is a heavy mast filled with wires and instruments, not a sailboat mast so this is not an easy task. More panic! 

We head on to our other slip to get the power and shelter we are looking for. It is very hot today, and we have just been given two nuggets to work over. A nice man and his dog Drake meet us at the dock. He has given us an inside spot to get us out of the weather and says to please make ourselves at home. We do by jumping off his main dock into the River. I would not describe this spot as a swimming hole but this was a medicinal act. And I was informed I would be pushed in if I didn’t get my buns in the water. So another lovely paddle. Meade and I then pack up to go enjoy an inside shower and to do a load of laundry. Wm fires up the grill in the picnic area, and Mason does a bit of fishing. We enjoy some cheeseburgers and salad before the lightning show begins. It’s a dramatic storm but we never feel a big gust and have a great night’s sleep.

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