7 September 2012 Waterford - Haverstraw - Atlantic Highlands

This is where our Mini Loop began--a round trip of 990 miles, 100 locks, 118 days and our circle is complete. ( We're counting Federal Lock to Federal Lock--Troy, NY).  Waterford is a nice little village and we got a kick out of returning there.  Bill and I coerced a group to cycle to Albany, the state capitol.  

A group of good sports and fun folks!

On the way to Albany we came upon a Farmer's Market in Troy and I spied this rockin' dude!

I've heard of a 2 fisted drinker but never a 2 handed smoker.  Maybe she needed to maintain a light...?

Bill's a NY native and he'd never been to his state's capitol---so now he has.  The ride was great and the bike paths are well maintained.

Pretty grand, huh???  And it's not even the state capitol!!!

Now here we have the capitol of the state of New York

Leaving Waterford, we went through our LAST lock!  Now what am I going to do with all my time!!!!!!

From a southerner's point of view, this appears to be a touch of fall color!!!

I just love non-flat horizons!!!

Haverstraw was a welcome sight and we even had our old slip again.  We were looking forward to spending the day and evening with our friends from Marathon, Jack and Ginger, who summer in Pomona.  We talked loud and fast and caught each other up on the past few months, had 2 meals, did 4 loads of laundry and reprovisioned!  We work fast!

                An exquisite early morning as we departed Haverstraw.

These are two structures that I can never see without a surge of emotion. I am abundantly grateful for being an American and forever indebted to those who've given years away from their families and more so, to those who have given their lives so that my freedom still lives.

Had we not been trying to maximize our weather window we'd have stopped across from Manhattan in Harsimus Cove to see friends, Reid and Lynn.  Hopefully we can catch up with them in Portsmouth.

Last night after taking on our first fuel in 3+ months we anchored with friends Elle and Dick in Atlantic Highlands. We left this morning at 6 AM and are on the Atlantic en route either to Atlantic City or Cape May--depending on weather and/or fatigue. Rarely do we put in lengthy days but we really need to make tracks! We have an unquestionably perfect day to be on the ocean!

Loved the Mini Loop---oops!  Did I already say that...!

Till later---
Bill and Laura on board Kindred Spirit in the Atlantic Ocean off the coast of New Jersey