Beginning the Loop

 Finally Getting Started

 The Loop. Nearly 6,000 miles. Over 150 locks (varies depending upon route).


Our Loop will start at the beginning of the Hudson River. The Pre-Loop first leg will be getting from the tip of Long Island Sound to the Hudson. That starts today, Monday, May 22, 2023. 

We plan to start with a few short travel days to get acquainted with the boat and familiar with the water in this area. This part of the trip was not covered in any of the seminars since we're not technically on the Loop. So, at the start, we are unfamiliar with our new boat and also in unfamiliar waters. Both are a bit stressful!

Day 1 - Niantic to Westbrook, Connecticut
Day 2 - Westbrook to Stratford, Connecticut
Day 3 - Stratford, CT, to Port Washington, NY
Day 4 - Port Washington, NY, to Liberty Landing, Jersey City, NJ



Day 1 - Leaving Niantic - every day has new challenges. Getting familiar with our new boat, getting familiar with the route, deciding how far to travel in a day, which marina to stay at, how to make reservations, learning to use the navigation software, approaching and docking at unfamiliar marinas with lots of unknowns and details to attend. It's a learning curve, and a little different every time.

Day 4 - New York City and Liberty Landing, Jersey City, NJ - The tide, current, and wakes from boat traffic picked up as we approached New York Harbor from the East River. A bit of a wild ride passing or being passed by ferries, barges and various other commercial and private motor vessels.




We stayed 3 nights at Liberty Landing to wait out some of the holiday weekend boat traffic. People came here to take the tour boat around the Statue of Liberty and Ellis Island. There was a ferry across the river to Jersey City, also, $2 one way.  I took that a couple of times to get to a good, affordable, take-out dining spot. You could also bike there, but it took a lot longer. Did that one time and decided the ferry was a bargain!


Comments

  1. ChristineMay 22, 2023 at 8:52 AM

    Yay!! I am so excited for you guys! What an adventure God has you on! I will really enjoy following your journey along The Loop. Thank you for doing a blog so your friends get a little peep into your life on the water. Praying for you all along the way. I hope to see you in Florida!

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Linda - m/v Blue HeronJuly 10, 2023 at 1:05 PM

      I finally got the Comments feature figured out, and your post from May showed up! We always appreciate your prayers, too! You are on a new adventure of your own, and definitely hope we get to connect and swap stories when we get to Florida!

      Delete
    2. AnonymousJuly 10, 2023 at 2:36 PM

      Good job! I am not techy so I understand! I do hope we can connect this winter!

      Delete

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