Georges Island Cove, Westchester County Park, New York

This blog will chronicle our (Pat and Patty Anderson's) 

cruising adventures on the Great Loop!

DAY 69 - June 8, 2017

Ellis Island

FDNY Fireboat

As we left the Statue of Liberty behind us this morning, we first passed Ellis Island, which we did not see from the front yesterday. So naturally, we begin with a photo of the place where many of our ancestors entered America. As we proceeded north on the Hudson, we passed one of the FDNY fireboats.  As we passed under the George Washington Bridge, we thought of Sully bringing US Airways Flight 1549, a big Airbus 320, safely into the Hudson back in 2009 with 155 passengers and crew members all rescued safely. Possibly this very FDNY fireboat was involved, who knows? Amazing to think now that it was really that long ago.

Other than the Statue Cruise tour boats going back and forth and the NY Waterways boats running up and down to and from wherever they go, there has been almost no traffic in New York Harbor. From reading Skipper Bob, we thought we would be dodging all kinds of tugs and barges, tankers, container ships, ferries, water taxis and pleasure craft. Just as we were the only boat anchored behind the Statue of Liberty, we were pretty much the only boat moving on the Hudson River in New York Harbor except for the tour boats.  There are, though, always three helicopters (at least) circling the harbor. Once or twice they hovered over us, presumably to see our vessel name and registration, but we really don't know.

After we cruised under the George Washington Bridge, we came to the famous Palisades, where there were school bus loads of kids enjoying Palisades State Park.  Then under the Tappan Zee Bridge, and we passed one small town after another on the New York shore. 

Daydream at Georges Island anchorage

Georges Island anchorage
screenshot

We had an uneventful cruise up the Hudson to our anchorage at the cove at Georges Island Westchester County Park. The cove is well protected except to the south, so naturally we had a slight SE wind in the afternoon, not too bad, something like 6 knots.

This is a beautiful large park with well kept lawn, picnic tables, restrooms, trash and recycling containers (which we used, since we last disposed of trash back at Manasquan!), and a nice boat ramp. I talked to a man launching his Hobie Cat, and he told me this is the only public boat ramp in the area. 

This anchorage is not suitable for everyone, because it is too shallow for the big guys - but just right for us! We anchored in 4 feet, and after a little bit of rocking from afternoon river wakes, it calmed down, and we had a very quiet night. Baxter had a good romp up on the grass in the park. If you are passing this way in a C-Dory, this is a great spot!