Catalina Sunshine: New York New York

September 2015, at about 0700 hours, we turned from the relatively protected waters of Gardiners Bay between the prongs of the "fork" at the north east end of Long Island, into Long Island Sound. We turned through Plum Gut, between Orient Point and Plum Island. The wind had been forecasted from the west, our direction of travel, at 20 nmph, with 3 to 5 foot seas at 7 seconds. What we found was 30 nmph plus winds with 7 to 12 foot 4 second seas. What I had not counted on in addition to the incorrect Buoy Weather forecast, was the effect of the current on wave height in the Sound. We had an incoming tide and were at maximum current when we turned into the sound. Like the north moving current with a wind from the north in the Gulf Stream the wave heights were significantly increased in the Sound with wind and current apposing. Our course was directly into the steep seas. After 5 hours of getting beat up we turned into Port Jefferson to recover. The next day we again turned west in the Sound, it was warmer, sunny and the wind was under 10 nmph.

We arrive at our anchorage between the Statue of Liberty and Ellis Island about 1700 hours. This was the second time we had anchored in this location. There were no other boats the first time 5 years earlier, and only one other boat this time. Although we were a fair distance from the ferry traffic between the City and Staten Island we felt their wake. Fortunately out guests Rich and Sandy are Corsairs, as we are, and use to boat wake which Corsairs frequently experience at their moorings in Emerald Bay on Catalina Island. We had a great dinner aboard, hard to image better scenery, and watched the City lights off our stern.

Our plan had been to see the 9/11 memorial the next day and we had made reservations at North Cove Marina, next to the memorial, several months earlier. About two weeks before we arrived our reservations were cancelled because the City had scheduled construction which impacted the slip we had reserved. Fortunately they allowed us to land our dingy at the Marina, and we left our boat anchored between the Statue of Liberty and Ellis Island.

I can't imagine a more approximate memorial then the disappearing fountains, weeping wall, twisted steel beams, and the names and pictures of the victims, and those brave fireman and policeman that tried to save them. Freedom Tower, which was built to withstand an attack from an airplane, now stands proudly near where the World Trade Center buildings once stood.

After lunch on a plaza next to the North Cove Marina, Rich and Sandy left us to head to the airport.

During our time in Newport Rhode Island, we drove down to New York City to see a show at the David Koch Theater in the Lincoln Center. Our daughter, Kelley, was the Assistant Director and an Associate Producer for the Show called Pearl. Pearl, was "An evocative and abstract multi-visual interpretation of the life and times do Pulitzer price winner Pearl S. Buck". The Director, who we meet at lunch before the Show, was very complementary of Kelley's contribution to the Show. The Show was terrific.