July 16-21, 2009 - Terry Finnegan & family visit NYC

We had been greatly looking forward to the visit of son Terry, daughter-in-law Debby and granddaughter Natalie. We happily made the ferry, subway, air train trip out to JFK to meet them on July 16.


Natalie is now 10 years old and smart as a whip. I had a chance to spend some time with her the first evening when we took a lovely walk to the Hudson River. The view of Manhattan from Liberty Landing is wonderful
On the second day of the visit, our first stop off the subway was Times Square. We meadered up another block further than we had ventured with the Neilsons, where we found the naked cowboy....our sincere apologizes to the Neilson family for failing to walk that extra block. Next stop was Rockefeller Center and a trip to the Top of the Rock. Although a little hazy, the view was as spectacular as ever.

Terry and Robert at the Top of the Rock

Terry, Natalie, Debbie and Robert at the Top of the Rock We had asked Terry, Debbie and Natalie what they would like to do in New York City. Sports fan, Terry, had always wanted to see the Yankees play in Yankee Stadium. Natalie requested a visit to American Girl Doll. In order to accomplish these New York City goals, Natalie, Debbie and I set out for American Girl Doll. Robert and Terry meandered around Central Park for a while and then headed out to Yankee Stadium for a Yankee/Detroit evening game.

I had made reservations for a late lunch at American Girl Doll. This gave us some time to look around the huge store. Unbelievable as it may seem, the store is three floors of American Girl dolls, clothes, and accessories. After a lot of doll comparisons, Natalie choose to take home Felicity, a girl of the revolutionary war period. We selected a few outfits for Felicity as well. If American Girl doll is any economic indicator, the recession is over. Each floor was packed with shoppers who appeared to be in the buying mode.

The dining room at American Girl doll is an adorable place with a pink, white and black polka dot/daisy theme. They had special little seats for the dolls to sit at the table. The menu was very creative with food items favored by young girls incorporating fruits and vegetables in fun shapes.
Natalie prepares to enjoy a fruit kabob.
Natalie and Felicity A couple of weeks before Terry arrived, Robert and I had taken the train out to Yankee Studium to buy tickets for the game. After waiting in a huge line, the extremely rude ticket person informed us the cheapest tickets he had left for that game were$385. They weren't very good seats. Robert said absolutely no way. Over lunch, Robert was talking to our programmer, Sports Bob on the phone. Sports Bob is a season ticket holder for the Angels. He went to a special season ticket holder site and came up with two tickets for good seats at a reasonable rate.

Upon arriving at Yankee Stadium, Robert and Terry found the seats to be marvelous...7 rows back between home plate and first base. They had a tremendous view. Thanks Sports Bob!!! Robert and Terry really enjoyed the game, plus the Yankees won.

The third day of the visit, we enjoyed The Lion King on broadway. After the Lion King, we had a stroll up 42nd to see Bryant Park, the library and Grand Central Station.

Natalie reading a book in Bryant Park.
Terry, Debbie and Natalie in front of the library.On Sunday, we got up early so we could catch the first ferry to Ellis Island.

Terry and Natalie study the exhibit of immigrant trucks and bags.
Debbie, Terry and Natalie in front of the Statue of Liberty. From Liberty Island, we took the ferry to Manhattan. One big goal for the Terry Finnegan family was the experience of eating a genuine New York pizza. Since we had a surprise reservation to see The Blue Man Group, we found a pizza place near the theater. This pizza was fabulous and met all expectations. We had arranged for the tickets to The Blue Man Group far enough in advance, we were able to sit right up front in the poncho section. This show is tremendous fun for all ages.

Robert, a blue man and Natalie after the show.

To top off a very fun day, Terry, Debbie and Natalie took us all out for a yummy mexican dinner to celebrate Team Finnegan's sixth wedding anniversary.

On the final day of the visit, Robert, Terry, Debbie and Natalie toured the Natural History Museum and strolled in Central Park.

We thoroughly enjoyed our visit with Terry, Debbie and Natalie. Debbie and Terry were so helpful and enthusiastic to pitch in and help with boat tasks. I greatly enjoyed long walks with Natalie. It was terrific to spend time getting to know her better.

July 12-15, 2009 - Sports Bob visits NYC

We were so happy to welcome our software programmer, Sports Bob, aboard Grand Fromage for a short visit. Some of you know him as Robert Liccardo.

It is funny how things evolve. We had left our car parked up at Winter Harbor, which is near Syracuse. Sports Bob and his finance were visiting her family, who happen to live near Syracuse. Robert came up with the great idea that Sports Bob could drive our car to Liberty Landing for a short visit and then drive it back to catch his plane back to California.

Robert and Sports Bob had some business meetings on the program. We enjoyed some tasty meals, swapped some tales and laughed a lot. Sports Bob is not only a very talented and creative programmer but a wonderful companion as well. We've become great friends over the years and always look forward to spending time together.

Sports Bob on the bow of Grand Fromage at Liberty Landing. Jersey City is to the left, Manhattan is behind.
Sports Bob preparing to board Grand Fromage.

July 2-9, 2009 - Neilsons visit

Daughter Katy, son-in-law Chris and grand kids Justin and Noelle arrived at JFK airport on July 2. We had learned the ropes to get to JFK the summer before. You take the A train to Far Rockaway....note, do NOT take the A train to Lefferts!!!!. You get off the A train at Howard Beach and take the air train to the correct terminal. To get back to Grand Fromage from JFK, you take the air train to Howard Beach, take the A train to Chambers St. You walk six or seven blocks down either Chambers or Warren to Battery Park to the Ferry Terminal. You take the Liberty Landing Ferry to the state park. The last ferry to Liberty Landing leaves at 8:45 on weekdays and 7:45 on weekends.

With this information at the ready, when do you want us to pick you up at JFK?????

Katy, Chris, Justin and Noelle on the A train. They spent much of the ride chatting with the woman next to Katy and discover in the process that most New Yorkers are extremely friendly and helpful. On July 3rd, we had a full day of sightseeing, starting with the mind boggling scene at Times Square. The human brain can not imagine so many people going so fast in so many directions at each corner. This phenomena, combined with all the taxis, makes for a impact welcome to Manhattan. Keeping the group together is a real challenge, but imperative. I will mention at the very onset, just to get the matter over with, that we did NOT see the naked cowboy on this day or any other day of the Neilson visit. I realize this is cause for regret, dispair and lifelong disappointment, but sometimes we must face the unfairness in life.

It is a relief to find the leafy repose of Bryant Park at 42nd and 6th. This park, right behind the library is a true wonder. Beautifully landscaped, it is festooned with hundreds of bistro tables and chairs. A large segment is a reading "room" with the latest newspapers, magazines and books for anyone to enjoy.

Noelle finds a fun book to read.
Robert and Katy enjoy a father/daughter chat.

The Neilsons relax in Bryant Park.
After our pleasant rest in Bryant Park, it was off for more manic sightseeing. Next up was the Rockefeller Center, including a trip up to the Top of the Rock. We enjoyed lunch at the Rockefeller Plaza, followed by that must have Ben and Jerrys. Walking back to 42nd, we took in Grand Central Station, the Chyrsler Building and the library. Interestingly, on display at the library was the original Declaration of Independence with hardly any line to view it.

The Neilsons quickly discovered that in Manhattan, you walk, walk some more, climb steps, ride the subway, walk, climb, ride the ferry, walk.

Waiting for the subway.
On the Liberty Landing Ferry

The third day of the visit was July 4. The staff at Libert Landing warned us that the state park was a favored site from which to view the fireworks and the anticipated crowds might force officials to restrict entrants over a certain number of people. What this meant to us in real life was that if we left the park, we might have issues getting back in.

We had plan B. In the Liberty State Park was a New Jersey childrens' science center. One of the featured displays of the science center is a huge exhibit on skyscrapers...how they are constructed, design elements, where the largest skyscrapers are located. There are interactive displays, including wind factors. You can walk a girder, move objects with a crane, scrape some dirt with a backhoe. I come to a place like this and turn 8 years old again. I'm surprised our arrival did not cause a loud speaker announcement, "Attention all children, Grandma Glee has just entered the building and she wants to play."

Noelle fine tunes her backhoe skill set.
Robert hones up for the crane operators license.
I show off my skyscraper building magnificence. You must surely be quite impressed with my creative architectural design skills and of course my ability to overcome all negative factors facing the modern skyscraper.
Whoopsie daisy, looks like I have a little more to learn about the fine art of skyscraper design and construction. I'd better participate in a few more interactive displays.

The Neilsons entranced by one of the displays.

After a tasty barbeque on board, we enjoyed some impressive fireworks from the bridge of Grand Fromage.

On Sunday we headed out for a ride on the Staten Island Ferry, the best bargain in NYC....free.

Katie and Noelle enjoy a view of the Statue of Liberty from the Staten Island Ferry.

We surprised the Neilsons with a trip to the Blue Man Group which was enjoyed by all. After the show, we took the subway down to Wall Street.

Katy, Chris, Justin and Noelle eagerly awaiting their bailout on Wall Street.

Monday we took the ferry to Ellis Island and Liberty Island. Robert and I were dragging from all of the sightseeing. The Neilsons assured us they were now practically locals and could manage the subway on their own. They had a lovely walk in Central Park, including a row boat ride on a little lake. Tuesday they again ventured on their own to the natural history museum.

Wednesday we all headed back to Broadway to see the matinee of The Lion King....a very upbeat, creative and fun show. We had a wonderful visit with the Neilson family. Justin and Noelle were extremely well behaved and helpful. I know Katy tried to behave herself so she will received credit. We shared some very fun adventures and a lot of laughs. Before heading out for JFK.....see above for detailed instructions....Robert, Chris, Katy, Justin and Noelle posed by Grand Fromage.

June 27-30, 2009 - Liberty Landing with George and Frances

Our friends George and Frances arrived at Liberty Landing Marina a day after we did. They had traveled nonstop from Virginia Beach on their beautiful sail boat, Kittiwake. Helping them with their passage was Jack, George's brother.

We had some very fun adventures hanging out with George, Frances and Jack for a few days.
We enjoyed tasty meals, stories, and a lot of laughs. Here is a picture of George and Frances.

George had a conference in Washington DC. We all hopped on the subway to escort him to Penn Station so he could catch his train. When the remaining four of us emerged from the subway on 35th we discovered it was minutes from the start of the gay pride parade.Jack had bought us all tickets to the Blue Man Group, which we had never seen. We hopped in a cab to get to the matinee. This preformance was a hoot!!!! We really enjoyed it.

George, Frances and Jack left Liberty Landing for Maine. We hope to meet up with them later this summer.

Jun 21-26, 2009 - Down the Hudson

We had a lovely ride down the Hudson River, a truly beautiful waterway. One of the interesting sights are the historic lighthouses. Here are a few:A small town on the Hudson with the Catskills in the distance.

The modest retreat on the Hudson. Someone's camp?

Our first stop on the Hudson was the charming town of Catskill. We stayed at the Catskill Marina, a professionally operated facility with friendly, skillful staff. Here is Grand Fromage docked at Catskill Marina.

Part of the cute downtown of the village of Catskill

It has become fairly common for a town to have an event that involves an artistic contest to decorate a themed statue and then after the contest, auction off the statues to raise money for
charity. Prague had cows. Norfolk had mermaids. Catskill has....wait now, can you possible guess???....yes, you are right...cats!. Catskill has this event every year. The majority of the cat statues involve historic scenes painted on the cat....the cat is sort of like a canvas for the painting. The statue below involved this kind of painting, but the artist took it up a notch by making the cat into Henry Hudson....more clever and creative, in my humble opinion.

Our very favorite is "The Catue of Liberty". Robert is ready to make a bid on this one right now. If it doesn't win the contest, it will be a travesty of justice.

If and when you go to the town of Catskill, be sure to go for breakfast or lunch at the MOD cafe..a fun menu with friendly, cheerful owners.

We arrived at Liberty Landing Marina in Jersey City on June 26th. It was a lot of fun to return to New York City.

June 16-20, 2009 - Erie Canal

We had a wonderful, happy reunion with Grand Fromage at the Winter Harbor Marina in Brewerton, NY. The folks at Winter Harbor did a fantastic job storing Grand Fromage for the winter. They also gave Grand Fromage a shiny, lovely bottom paint job. We can't say enough about the professionalism, kindness and courtesy of the folks at Winter Harbor. Click here for their website.

We had a lot of work to get Grand Fromage ready for another summer of cruising. Our friend, Ralph, from Naples, Fl, joined us to help us go down the Erie Canal. We took 5 days to test all systems and provision. It rained and rained.

On June 16 we left Winter Harbor. The first day we crossed Lake Oneida and tied up to the free dock for the night. The next day we woke up to rain. For the second mate and I, foul weather gear was in our immediate future.

Captain Robert helps second mate, Ralph, dude up in foul weather gear.

The deck crew prepared for all weather contingencies.

The great blue heron appeared prepared to deal with the rain.

Our trip through the Erie Canal last fall was a relaxing, fun experience with plenty of time for pictures and admiring the gorgeous scenery. This trip was a whole other story. Remember I mentioned it rained and rained before we left the marina? It continued to rain during our passage through the canal. What this meant for us was water over two feet above normal, tremendous logs and debris in the water, swift currents and rapids. We all had to stay vigilant to spot logs. The worst were the "dead heads", What you would see would be a seemingly harmless piece of wood on the surface. However, if it were a dead head, it would be the small visible part of a huge tree limb or trunk. Hitting a dead head can cause significant damage.

A working barge from the Erie Canal district going out to find and remove debris.There was significant current entering each lock, however, Captain Robert quickly learned the technique to avoid stress and disaster. Leaving the lock, the water rushing out of the dam was filled with rapids and logs. Once again, Captain Robert learned the combination for steering plus engine to avoid the debris. Smaller boats going west up the canal were having a horrible, terrifying time of it, especially the sailboats. Their underpowered engines could not rev fast enough to power through the rapids and current to enter the lock. We heard their conversations on the radio and they were having a scary go of it. Now that I'm working on the blog, I certainly wish I'd taken pictures, but at the time we were very busy.

Second mate Ralph holding the aft rope at the top of the lock.Ralph holding the rope near the bottom of the lock.

There are many bridges we go under on the Erie Canal. The lowest bridge is either 21 or 20 feet, depending on the source. With the radio antennas up, radar tower up and the bimini top on, Grand Fromage has a bridge clearance of 28 feet. Uh oh, you say, how is that going to work?. The first owner arranged for this contingency with a radar mast that lowers hydraulically. Last spring, Captain Robert and friend John lowered the mast to a little over 19 feet and we had no problems clearing the bridges with room to spare. With a few more hours' work, our top can go even lower to clear a 15 foot bridge, but for the Erie, the extra time and effort was not necessary. All together now, "after all, we'd cleared all bridges with no problems the year before". Since the water did seem a tad higher this year, it was prudent for Ralph to stand on the mast, ear phones on, to make sure we'd clear each bridge.

We going to make this bridge, Ralph?

Ralph using the earphone to discuss with Captain Robert whether Grand Fromage will clear the bridge. In this case, the answer was AOK.

On the second day of our passage through the Erie Canal, just outside Schenectady, we needed to go under a bridge the chart said was 24 feet. Hey, this should be no problem, we'd cleared bridges 21 feet that day. On this occasion, Ralph said we would not clear the bridge and we would hit our TV dome. Whoopsie daisy. Time for plan B. Errrrrrrrrr team, what is Plan B, anyway??? There was no place to tie up the boat within easy reach. There was a lock wall to the west, which would mean transversing back through the current, rapids and logs of the previous lock and then going up the lock to get to the wall. This choice did not bring chortles of excitement from Team Finnegan. Ok, there was the marina in Schenectady where we had a reservation for the night....oh yeah, that was on the other side of the bridge we couldn't clear. Captain Robert ordered us back a short ways where we could go up a side channel to the river and put down the anchor. Once our anchor was holding, Captain Robert turned into McKyver and rigged up all of these safety devices, ropes and measures to safely lower the tv dome another foot. We were now at 18 feet 4 inches. Back to our nemisis bridge to try again. This time there were a bunch of kids on the bank yelling, "Go under, you'll make it!!!" The word we were waiting for was from Ralph who gave it a go. Ralph said we cleared the bridge by 6 inches.

We were very happy to make it to the Hudson River on the third day. We still had the Federal Lock at Troy, but that was easy. It was a relief to tie up at the Albany Yacht Club for a couple of days. Ralph, having saved our TV dome and possible damage to Grand Fromage, jumped ship in Albany to fly home to Naples. Thanks, Ralph for all of your help!!!