Joy in Troy

The rain stopped just before dawn and the sun was shining as we headed out early from Kingston. Our destination was to be city of Waterford, New York which meant it was going to be long day. The rains of the previous day did little to clear the humidity and as the day wore on, the muggier and more intolerable the weather became.



Again today the Hudson River Valley was stunning with the Catskill Mountains visible in the distance on our port side.



We were so surprised when once again we came upon Freddy Freddy, the vessel with the most unique self-made design. We last saw Freddy Freddy while in Solomons Island, Maryland.

This is the Saugerties Lighthouse.



And a little further along is the Hudson-Athens Lighthouse that sits as an island all by itself in the middle of the Hudson.



Just before Albany we encountered three marinas/yacht clubs very close in proximity to each other whose members found great pleasure in verbally abusing passing boats who they thought were making too large of a wake. Since this chatter was being broadcast via the VHF radio we were able to listen and take note long before we arrived on the scene of screams as Captain Mark and I described the area. How and why this banter was not stopped by the Coast Guard is a mystery as the language was quite interesting and colorful.


As we passed Albany and we were both a little surprised by how there is literally no place to dock or even stop in Albany. Just a little further is the city of Troy, New York where Captain Mark planned to stop for fuel. We reached the fuel dock thinking that we would take on fuel and then head the very short distance to Waterford. However, a wonderful thing happened…Joe the Troy Dockmaster was attending to other business so Don the captain of the Carolyn Anne caught our line and assisted with docking the Lolligag. While we were awaiting the fuel dock to be available, we very quickly became acquainted with Don and his lovely wife Kathleen. They toured the Lolligag and we chatted and by the time Captain Mark was finished fueling up, we had changed our plans, decided to stay the evening in Troy and have dinner with Don and Kathleen.

Just as we finished getting settled into our spot on the dock, Paul and Sandy aboard the Fidelitas pulled in behind us. The Fidelitas is a custom made 43 foot North Pacific Yacht and is truly a beautiful boat. Having now made friends with Paul and Sandy as well, we all went shopping and to brunch on Sunday morning. Since it was raining and none of us had a vehicle Dockmaster Joe graciously loaned us not one of his cars BUT TWO so we could all go together. Naps were required after our decadent and delightful brunch but we all agreed to meet for drinks and the swapping of boat stories aboard the Fidelitas Sunday evening.

Don, Kathleen, Captain Mark and I could hardly contain ourselves in our anticipation to see the inside of Paul and Sandy’s boat. The interior of their boat is simply gorgeous with multiple custom features which enhance the ease of living aboard.



The six of us who had never met before arriving at the Troy City dock simply blended together like long lost friends. We are all at the same point in our lives and our shared excitement about boating cemented our bond. And then to add to our delight, Dockmaster Joe joined us at the end of his shift adding even more humor to our mix.




Uncle Sam resides in Troy

Samuel Wilson (1766-1854) was a meat-packer in Troy whose name is purportedly the source of the personification of the United States known as "Uncle Sam". At the time of the War of 1812, Samuel Wilson obtained a contract to supply beef to the Army, which he shipped in barrels. The barrels, being government property, were branded with the initials "U.S.", but the teamsters and soldiers would joke that the initials referred to "Uncle Sam", who supplied the product. Over time, it is believed, anything marked with the same initials (as much Army property was) also became linked with Wilson's name. The face of Uncle Sam used in the WWI poster is said to be based on a portrait of Sam Wilson.

Hours on the water: 8
Nautical miles traveled: 54.8
Number of bridges to be opened: 0
Time spent waiting at bridge: 0
Number of locks: 0
Next Destination: Waterford, NY
What we are listening to: Harry Potter & The Goblet of Fire by JK Rowling
Lesson for the day: It is the people we meet along the way of our adventure that truly makes this trip memorable
Obligatory knitting report: Purple Lace Shawl for BFF Linda