2016 08 05 Friday - Haverstraw, NY to Stamford, Ct




Hook Mountain, Nyack, NY

 




More Tappan Zee Bridge construction, amazing project!

Rather than backtrack down the Harlem River, we decide to go all the way around Manhattan. We are in no hurry and the weather is good. Last year, during very early morning hours we entered NY harbor from the ocean side. It was spectacular to pass the Statue of Liberty. This time the ride was a bit more hair-raising. It is peak tourist season and every touring boat and ferry is in lower Manhattan, going full tilt back and forth from Manhattan to Ellis Island, Governor’s Island, Staten Island and every other island. It’s like driving among the cabbies in Manhattan. Police boats are out and helicopters fly low overhead.



George Washington Bridge






The little lighthouse under the east end of the George Washington Bridge








New York Skyline





Freedom Tower in the center

Statute of Liberty




Ellis Island
 



It’s a dicey getting through the congestion, but the real difficulty comes from all the boat wakes colliding in a rather narrow piece of water. We marvel at the number of sailboats that can only go so fast who appear to be playing “chicken” with the ferries. In case of tie, ferries always win.





Going north on the East River

Unexpected river traffic lands across the bow

 

We are happy to make the turn from the Hudson to the East River in one piece. The pass through Hell Gate is uneventful so this is a good thing.

We have never stayed at Stamford, so we find a marina online TMG Anchor Point which is part of a development of pricey rental apartments. In spite of being tied up right at the end of the dock by the harbor channel, we have a fairly smooth night.




Stamford Harbor, Ct

The pool at the marina is beautiful but is quite a hike along a long expanse of a new boardwalk that runs around the entire complex. One positive point about this area is that there is a free water taxi that will take you to a couple of stops where there are popular restaurants. Two people recommended that we eat at Prime which is a very “in” place that just opened in early July. The place is mobbed with “beautiful people” and the hostess estimates we will have a 1 ½ hour wait for a table. We give her our name and go to the bar for a drink, hoping she will have a cancellation. No such luck. In the meantime, we glance at the a la carte menu and an 8 oz. filet mignon is $52. Taxi! Taxi! Back to the Café Blue Belle for some pulled chicken sliders. Price? $0.






Lighthouse at the Stamford breakwater,... got paint?

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