Day 223: Crossing Our Wake

Day 223: May 25:  Today is the day we cross our wake. This means we arrive back to the point where we started the official loop. Although we left Westport on July 13th, our loop started at the Statue of Liberty on July 18th and will be completed today on May 25th. 

We left the anchorage in Coney Island Creek onto Gravesend Bay and headed under the Varrazzano Bridge. Boats were already on the water, creating wakes and requiring us to dodge those under sail. Being a clear day, the recognizable NY skyline was the gift that kept on giving; adding to the excitement we were feeling. 

As usual the harbor was abuzz with vessels; private boats racing by with no regard for wakes being thrown, ferries of all sizes filled to capacity with tourists snapping pictures of Lady Liberty and Ellis Island and amongst all the hullabaloo, small sailboats not afraid to tack back and forth in front of monster boats bearing down. In the midst of it all, Lady Liberty stood among the chaos, an inspiration to all. 

John negotiated around the waves, swirling around like a bathtub until there was a lull in the commotion and we were able to snap our picture, documenting the Crossing of our wake! It's hard to believe this 7000 mile journey, which took us onto 4 Great Lakes, the Georgian Bay, the Erie Canal, Trent Severn, multiple rivers and waterways, the Everglades, through the Okeechobee and more has come to an end, except for our final few days left to get home. It's bittersweet; I'm anxious to get home but sad the adventure is coming to a close. Thinking about some of the places we've seen and the people we have met; it sometimes feels like a dream. Words will never be able to describe the experience in its entirety. 

Once we got our pictures, we continued up the Hudson, anxious to escape the madness and cruise into more calm waters. Like a great hallway, the river separates two iconic cities; their buildings looking so tall as they rise out of the water. Most prominent is an 80 foot sculpture that overlooks the Hudson River, directly facing lower Manhattan. Called Water's Soul, it depicts a portrait of a young girl with a finger held up to her mouth. As described by Gray, the brand representing artist Jaume Piensa, states, "the sculptural portrait, though monumental in scale, humbly gestures for quietude, a beckoning towards empathetic self-reflection". It seems she is encouraging the city to stop, be still and listen to what the water is saying. 

Little did we know that on top of it being Memorial Day weekend, it was Fleet Week in New York. The event, which honors the Navy, Coast Guard and Marine Corps, kicked off on Wednesday with the annual Parade of Ships. While we weren't able to attend any of the events, we did pass by a Coast Guard cutter and battle ship proudly flying colors. 

Passing by Ellis Island with the United States flag flying on its grounds, we are reminded that we live in an incredible country that so many yearn to live in. Forever grateful. 

We picked up a mooring ball at Dyckman State Marina so we can catch the train to Battery Park and a ferry to the Statue and Ellis Island tomorrow. Lady Liberty was dedicated on October 28, 1886 and designated as a National Monument in 1924. Ellis Island was added to the Statue of Liberty National Monument on May 11, 1965. John wants another stamp so we will join the hundreds of other tourists and venture to the sights. 

We took the dinghy to shore; it was literally about 1/2 mile from our mooring. Wandered into the city which was. bustling and walked up to the Met Cloisters through a beautifully shaded path cut into huge slabs of granite. 

Night fell but the activity continued. The brightly lit George Washington Bridge stretched across the river. A party boat cruised under the bridge, lights flashing and music sounding through the darkness. It was a fun way to close out the night.