We said goodbye to Steve at Half Moon Bay Marina and our rental car and headed out on the Hudson River up toward Kingston.

After we left the marina, we realized that this was the first time that we were alone on the boat and not with other looper boats.

OK. There was one other time but we had to get towed so we don’t count that trip.

This day was different.

The sun was shining.

The sky was clear.

The weather was perfect.

Down the Hudson

Our trip down the Hudson River was peaceful.

Even though we aren’t comfortable yet moving this big boat from point A to point B, we do occasionally have glimpses into what fun this is going to be when we have some experience and stop freaking out over every little thing.

We are learning what is “normal” on our boat and what is not.

It just takes time.

We saw spectacular sights which lead to the new peaceful, relaxing feelings we are starting to have.

Trains near waterways.

And West Point.

We did find that we had to stay alert to dodge a few logs and debris as we traveled along.

But the views were stunning.

360 on the Hudson

The only freakout moment that I had was when Sam was messing around with the Garmin and waypoints.

Next thing I knew, we were in a spin. Going down.

OK. Not exactly.

This is a boat not an airplane.

We hooked left and continued on until we had made a complete circle.

I was screaming.

Sam was laughing.

At this point, we are hardly a high functioning, confident crew.

Sam did promise me that he would never play with the auto pilot again unless he knew exactly what it was going to do.

Coming into Kingston

We are all over the place when it comes to processes.

Sam was on the phone with the Kingston City Marina and missed the channel.

It’s marked with a lovely lighthouse and red/green markers but when you can’t count on your crew and have to do everything, things happen.

So where was I, you ask?

Sick, couldn’t talk.

Apparently, I’m allergic to New York.

There have been these white dandelion things flying in the air.

In some places it looks like it has snowed.

Anyway, I’m no help.

Even without me, Sam recovered nicely and we headed down the channel.

Get Off My Lawn!

Creeping down the channel, the very first boat we came to, there was a little, old lady yelling at us to slow down!

Of course, I said OK!

Then I looked back to see the horrendous wake we were leaving and I saw barely any.

What is this woman talking about?

Sam slowed down even more and left less than no wake.

We have found that boaters are the nicest people on the planet.

But every once in a while…

Kingston City Marina

Kingston is such a cute town and we enjoyed staying here for two days.

We found an Irish pub, mouth-watering BBQ and decadent lava cake with prosecco.

Ah, I think this is why we are doing the Great Loop!

I’m so ready to get past the “newbie” stage and feel more comfortable living in a moving home.

But we have decided that we need to firm up our processes and checklists and get more organized for our own sanity!

Our Thoughts

Our Trip