The River

The Hudson River is behind us :)

Todd and I left Stoney Point Bay Marina with the hi-tide yesterday morning and sailed under the Tappan Zee, George Washington, and Verrazano bridges. We also sailed by New York City, and the Statue Of Liberty.

New York City is my birth place and where I grew up.

I was sad to see an inflatable mounted with a 50mm machine gun buzzing around the Statue Of Liberty. Perhaps they are missing the point? The way they were buzzing around the ferry boats and paying particular attention to the tourists, it was obviously a show.

With a heavy heart I put New York City to my stern never having visited. It’s not the same city from my childhood and a place that is very foreign to me now.

Once we sailed under the Verrazano bridge the Atlantic came into view.

There was a decent swell and we were pounding into a 20-25kt headwind.

Salt covered my smiling lips, and at times I had to clean the spray from my glasses. Seagulls visited Eleanor and danced above our heads, crying, and welcoming me back to the sea which is now very much my home.

Turning back to look at the city I was amazed to see the thick smog, however it does look quite beautiful at night with all of her sparkling lights.

If you click on the Spot logo on the right hand side of the screen you will be able to see exactly where Eleanor is anchored at Atlantic Highlands New Jersey.

I’ll be here for a few days.

I’m waiting for a package from Navionics and one of the subscribers is picking me up today to take me to a West Marine for a few things.

I can’t put into words how happy I am to finally be under-way South and towards Carla and Nacho.

My beautiful wife is scraping, sanding, painting, and varnishing Splendid during my absence. She has never cast eyes on our new home and is so excited to meet Eleanor for the first time.

She has informed me that we are taking everything off of Eleanor when I arrive and we will scrutinize everything we put onboard so we are light for travel.

Liberty, Liberty, Liberty, let’s not forget what that means. I don’t think it is something we should sell In order to have “security”.

I have to admit that my eyes run damp when I see what has happened to my birth place.

I have not felt welcome here, however I have made a few good friends, had many laughs, and some good times.

“New York” is my hailing port and painted on Eleanor’s hull. I will carry New York with me throughout my travels and hopefully return to a place not consumed in fear.

Once again I will post the words that are carved at the base of the Statue Of Liberty. They are quite beautiful to me, and represent what we should strive to be.

 

The New Colossus 

Not like the brazen giant of Greek fame,

With conquering limbs astride from land to land;

Here at our sea-washed, sunset gates shall stand

A mighty woman with a torch, whose flame

Is the imprisoned lightning, and her name

Mother of Exiles. From her beacon-hand

Glows world-wide welcome; her mild eyes command

The air-bridged harbor that twin cities frame.

“Keep ancient lands, your storied pomp!” cries she

With silent lips. “Give me your tired, your poor,

Your huddled masses yearning to breathe free,

The wretched refuse of your teeming shore.

Send these, the homeless, tempest-tost to me,

I lift my lamp beside the golden door!” 

Peace

Sail far and live slowly.

– alex 

Published in Alex Dorsey