As you travel up the Hudson the river begins to narrow at West Point. It is noteworthy that here the river is over 177' deep.
Pollepel Island is an island in the Hudson River just north of West Point. It is the site of Bannerman's Castle, an abandoned military surplus warehouse. It was built in the style of a castle by gilded age businessman Francis Bannerman VI (1851–1918). The island has an interesting history, being strategically important during the American War of Independence and purchased by Francis Bannerman VI. However, after his death in 1918, the island experienced a series of disasters. Lightning was known to strike the flagpoles. Then, two hundred pounds of powder and shells exploded, blowing half a building onto New York City. Later, a massive storm on the Hudson caused a freighter and passenger barge, the Pollepel, to explode and crash into the island (hence the name Pollepel Island). The name is from the Dutch word pollepel 'ladle'. According to Native American lore the island was inhabited by unfriendly spirts. Later the Dutch referred to the spirit as the Heer of Dunderberg, a fiend (and his goblins) who inhabits the Highlands and doesn't like visitors.
With high winds on the Hudson we were unable to remain overnight at Newburg and continued on to Poughkeepise docking at the Shadows Marina. SONATA was on the outside wall of the marina and became of interest, a photo op, to couples celebrating their marriage. Rebecca and Kevin Brooks came aboard for photos on SONATA. They were one of six marriages being observed at the marina that evening.
From the Hudson you can see the Vanderbilt Residence in Hyde Park. Frederick W. and Louise Vanderbilt purchased Hyde Park during May 1895. Attracted to the beauty of the Hudson Valley and the east bank of the Hudson River, Frederick and his wife settled comfortably in their new 600-acre (2.4 km2) estate. The location was ideal, offering quick and easy access to New York City on the Vanderbilt’s own New York Central Railroad. The estate was primarily used as a vacation home for the Vanderbilt family. The previous owners of the estate had made it famous for its grand landscape and array of different plants and trees throughout the property. The New York Times described the Vanderbilt’s estate as "the finest place on the Hudson between New York and Albany."
A niece, Margaret "Daisy" Van Alen, inherited the property when Vanderbilt died during 1938. Encouraged by President Franklin D. Roosevelt (who owned an estate nearby), Van Alen donated a portion of the estate, including the residence with most of its original furnishings, to the National Park Service. The property became owned by the National Park Service during 1940. From 1941 to 1943, President Roosevelt's Secret Service was housed in the basement and third-floor service areas, and some of the President's personal White House staff and friends occasionally stayed in the main bedrooms of the house, including those of Mr. and Mrs. Vanderbilt.
There are a number of lighthouses on the Middle Hudson River. They all look like small houses; the first is the Esopus Meadows Lighthouse established in 1859, lighted in 1872, and deactivated in 1965.
The Rondout Lighthouse was established in 1838 and continues in use near Kingston.
The Saugerties Lighthouse was established in 1836 and deactivated in 1954.
The Hudson/Athens Lighthouse was established in 1874 and continues in operation.
Metro-North Railroad's Hudson Line is a commuter rail line running north from New York City along the east shore of the Hudson River. Metro-North service ends at Poughkeepsie, with Amtrak's Empire Corridor trains continuing north to and beyond Albany. Since the tracks continue north of Poughkeepsie, there have, over the years, been various proposals from both the MTA (Metro-North's parent agency), to extend service northwards. Most have been scratched after strong opposition from residents of northern Dutchess County, who fear the effect on their still largely rural communities that being within an easy rail commute of midtown Manhattan would have. However, Poughkeepsie-area commuters have supported such plans since they would ease pressure on that station. As recently as January 2007, supervisors of some towns north of Poughkeepsie have expressed new interest in extending rail service.
The Catskill Marina. We decided to stay for two days, do laundry, drop the mast . . . and just have a few days of not being underway; relax.
SONATA relaxing alongside the pier in the Catskill Marina. With the work completed by Ocean Marine Yacht Center in Portsmouth, Va. before we left, the paint on the hull . . . we receive dozens of great commenents each day; what a beautiful boat!!!
For a number of years the City of Catskill has sponsored decorative cats on Main Street. They are purchased by artists for some $500, decorated and then become the object of a "Cat's" ball at the end of the season to raise donations. An attraction for the city.
Charlie is holding SONATA in Lock #1, Troy, NY
Which way to go, the plan is to Lake Champlain.
Lake Champlain Lock #2, we find out the lock is broken. We sit and wait for it to open, purchase a lock pass #1-105011-9, and then find out that Lake Champlain is flooded, the waterway into Canada is closed. We decide to alter our plans and turn around . . . off to Waterford and we will do the Erie for the third time.
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