Great Loop: Hudson River Part 2

- June 17, 2022

Kingston, New York

Kingston New York

The Upper Hudson is a wonderful stretch of water and gracious hospitality. The small towns, set in the verdant green tree populated river shores were reminders of earlier times. Residents were proud of their heritage and efforts at preserving history. The Hudson river valley and it's river, which moved farm and industrial goods to market, was one of the primary economic engines that powered a new country. The evidence of this early industrial period is evident in the old brick buildings, stone foundations, and abutments of long abandoned canals, bridges. The pace of life is also much more calm and measured. Residents enjoyed talking and sharing the history and background of the areas in which they live.

The town of Kingston, 91 miles upstream from New York, became the states first capital in 1777. Coal, lumber and other goods were transported from as far away as Pennsylvania via canal and Rondout Creek to Kingston and then down the Hudson to New York City. Eventually the canal was replaced by railroads.

Multiple bridges now span Rondout Creek to carry highway and railroad traffic to upstate New York and west to the interior of the country.

The Maiden, a 58' aluminum ocean racing yacht, was in Kingston during our visit. It carried Tracy Edwards and her all female crew to a second place finish in the 1989-90 Whitbread Round the World Race. Tracy Edwards was named the Yachtsman of the Year due to the excellent performance of the vessel and crew. It now tours to raise money for a charity focused on the education of women.

As evidence of Kingston's early prosperity, this lighthouse was built on the Hudson in 1813 to guide mariners into safe harbor on Roundout Creek.

Shady Harbor

We continued our travels to Safe Harbor Marina in New Baltimore, New York.

Here we met up with the crews of Wild Life and C-Marie for the annual Pig Roast.

Here's the crew of C-Marie enjoying their flybridge

C-Marie, a 47' Great Harbor, has a spacious flybridge for entertaining.

They were wonderful hosts. We enjoyed their company!

Beth and I on C-Marie.

Enjoying end of the day docktails as the sun set.

Shady Harbor Marina as it appears from shore.

Home Tours in New Baltimore

Several of us participated in a home tour sponsored by the local Historical Conservancy

The three showcased homes were from the early 1800's and had been restored by the current occupants.

After touring the first home we enjoyed wine and hors d'oeurves.

Nice buffet table in the back yard!

I love deviled eggs!

Lovely garden in the back

The old brick school building in New Baltimore.

Old stone house in New Baltimore

The second home in the house tour served more substantial food.

The third and final home in the tour served dessert!

We greatly enjoyed talking to the locals about their lovely town, its history and the homes we visited.

The folks in town had lots of questions about "looping" and what it was like to live on a boat for a year.

Looper Ladies Walking Group

Each morning the lady Loopers would walk at 8:30am

On this day they found a local waterfall to visit.

Beth and Cathy at the waterfall

Local mushrooms

Mike at Shady Harbor Marina

The Pig Roast

Shady Harbor Marina produces an annual Pig Roast with the proceeds going to Charity. It has become a Looper tradition to attend this 3 day event. Shady Harbor is a first class operation with wonderful facilities to look after the needs of transient boaters.