Thurs July 8: Hyde Park to Kingston Hudon River Maritime Museum Dock

 In which we spend the night in a museum ...

The route today was a short one and a good thing as it was forecast to rain for most of the afternoon and evening.  We got going about 10 am from the mud pit that was the Hyde Park Marina and cruised further up the Hudson River to Kingston, NY.   We continue to be amazed by how few boaters are on the water with us. Mid week?  Rain?  Loopers already ahead of us?

We had a reservation at the Hudson River Maritime Museum for dock space and cruised up the Rondout Creek to the dock in pouring rain.

Route of the day - about 1:45 total cruise time

Usually we drive the boat from the upstairs helm, but when it rains it is much more comfortable at the inside helm station.  We even have windshield wipers!  At one point it rained so hard that we really couldn't see very far ahead of us.  We turned on the radar, slowed down and kept careful watch.  Actually on a Thursday in the rain it makes sense that there are very few other boats on the water. (Mel: keep in mind that during this difficult boating experience Rick is ALSO taking care of a tree that fell in the backyard and the basement shower, which needs to be rebuilt) (I help - but not that much, as per usual....)

We made it to the museum with a small waterfront dock and were met by the dock hand to help us tie up. (Mel: Spookily, just as we were tying up Phil, from Callin In Gone, appeared at Rick's elbow to say hi. He told us his wife, Sue, stalks everyone on Nebo so they know who is in their area.  Ummmm... Hi?!?)

It was a very pleasant floating dock and the museum had bathrooms, showers and good internet so we were very happy to sit in the boat and listen to the rain.

Excellent depiction of the corporate sell-out of the US.  

Eventually there was lull in the rain and we put on our walking shoes to go explore historic Kingston.  The town is filled with old houses and has two historic districts - one at the waterfront and one up a big hill.  We did walk up the hill but after about a mile and a half the skies started to threaten again so we turned around and made our way back to the boat.  (Mel: my version of this is that we got 30min into our HOT and HUMID walk, and there was a mutiny, thereby requiring us to return to the boat). Kingston apparently was an important point where coal from Pennsylvania was loaded on to ships and sent to ports south. 

The museum had exhibits on the history of the area, the coal industry and the more recent efforts to rehabilitate and renew an area that was severely damaged during the industrial age.  This whole area along the Hudson is really one of the first important areas in the United States for industry, agriculture and natural resource extraction - and as you can imagine little attention was paid to protecting the environment.  We saw a sign that said "Catch and Release Fishing only.  Do not eat any fish as they contain PCB's and Heavy Metals".    

In the afternoon the rain stopped long enough for all the local youth to get out rowing.  

The waterfront area was pretty cute, and we met Skip and Allison for dinner at an Italian restaurant just a very short walk from the boat.  It was one of the best dinners we have had on the trip!

Rain could ruin a trip - but neither one of us 'give a ship'!  We are going to have a good day each and every day...