Family Fun in NYC!

West Coast family joined us.

What better time to travel from California to New York than when there’s free lodging, free food, and (some) free attractions? 

When Pete and I could sketch out our timeline we shared our tentative dates with west coast family members. (I know, boaters should NEVER have a schedule. We built in time for training and for delays, and we’re grateful that we did, having experienced several mechanical issues and a weather delay, as explained in previous posts.) 

Prior to departure, we considered a small white board to jot down a grocery list or remind us of the next oil change. We imprudently purchased one based on size (it needed to fit a certain space in the salon) that incorporated a 7-day planner. Initially, we wrote “Depart” on 1 May. We erased it and rewrote “Depart” on 5 May. We erased that. We have already taken a bite out of our contingency funding for mechanical needs, and now we were pushing up against our contingency travel days to be in New York when the family was scheduled to arrive. 

As emergency and risk managers (in our former work lives) we were always ready with a contingency plan. This time was no different. We researched alternative marinas, and transportation, and attractions if needed. Once on the water, we never felt compelled to push ourselves beyond our conservative goals for each leg. We were fortunate to have mostly great weather and calm water, and we ultimately made it to New York Harbor two days early. 

Our first night we anchored out. (See last post: New York Harbor.) The next 8 nights we stayed at Liberty Landing Marina while sharing our “Boatel” with family.  

Before family arrived, we were able to take the ferry across the canal to Warren Street and we walked (about 10 blocks) to the large “ShopRite” grocery store for provisions. We took Lyft back to the marina with 12 bags of groceries. The meats went into Seal-a-Meal bags and into the freezer. The beverages were split between our two ice chests, along with cheeses, lunch meats, yogurts, and some vegetables, all in zip lock bags. Our inside refrigerator stored butter, cream cheese, condiments, eggs, and our own leftovers from previous meals. We have 2 waterproof bins that we bought at The Container Store that serve as additional pantry space for dry goods. Without guests, these live in the 2nd stateroom, but for this week, they lived in the flybridge.  

For the next week we were all-out tourists, hitting the most popular sites and landmarks. Each day the weather forecast threatened rain. Most days, the precipitation was short-lived or very light, and dissipated quickly. Mother nature never got in the way of a good time! We used nearly every form of transportation available, including our own bicycles. The highlight was our evening at The Lion King, preceeded by dinner at Carmine’s Restaurant! This was my sons’ pick, and their treat, but little did they know that it was our favorite restaurant! 

The only NYC-First-Timer was my younger son, Kevin, who is a “Selfie-Expert” so many of the gallery photos are from his perspective. (This is the largest blog gallery to date.)

After my family members departed, we laundered, reprovisioned, and welcomed Pete’s niece for our final night at the marina. We enjoyed an intimate vegan dinner and another spectacular sunset. 

We had an opportunity to meet the New York Harbor Hosts, Mark and Chris Lauria. They offered a wealth of information about NYC, with recommendations for sights to see while in the city as well as highlights along the Hudson River as we motored north. This delightful and inspiring couple are still in the planning stages of their Great Loop, and as new as we are at this, we felt we had something to offer them! Having completed the Camino de Santiago (Spain) on foot, Mark and Chris embody the spirit of adventure that is necessary for the Great Loop. It was a beneficial meeting for all of us. 

Bonus! Our first encounter with other Loopers!

When we started our journey, we knew that many other boats on the Great Loop were farther south, either recently having started their journey or they were more than half-way done. (Smart Loopers follow the seasons.) The America’s Great Loop Cruisers Association sponsors a Spring and Fall Rendezvous packed with educational seminars, boat tours, pot luck dinners, and “Docktails.” This year, the Spring Rendezvous was in Norfolk, VA, from 4/30-5/3, and we were unable (and unwilling even if our boat had been seaworthy) to motor south just to motor back north. 

We knew, with a week “off” in NYC and another one scheduled mid-June, that these other AGLCA cruisers would catch up to us. It was a delight to see other AGLCA flags (burgees) flying when Pete and I returned to our boat from a trip into Manhattan. 

The first three boats were from Canada, and these folks were getting close to the end of their trip. The fourth boat was from Tarpon Springs, FL, and like us, they were anxious to experience the rivers, locks, and Great Lakes. 

So, greetings to Daniel and Maggie, Luc and Sylvie, Yvon and Gilberte, from Canada, and congratulations on your successful first 9-months of this journey. With faster boats, we may not encounter them again. The Florida couple, Jean and Jerry, are likely to share time with us near or in Canada. We certainly hope so!