Port Jefferson, Setauket, and NYC. 14-17 Sept 2014

We left Connecticut and crossed the Sound to the north shore of Long Island, NY. 

Just inside the entrance to Port Jefferson harbor is the village of Setauket. I became interested in seeing Setauket, after watching a new TV series titled “Turn”, about America’s first spies during the Revolutionary War.  While watching the series, I wondered how much of the tale was real - if at all. Well, our cruising guide confirmed that a Patriot spy ring did operate out of Setauket, and the messages were passed to other patriots by a local woman who strung a specific combination of red and black petticoats and white handkerchiefs on a clothes line.

There is very skinny water at the entrance to the Setauket harbor (the chart says 1’) but we only draw 4’ so we ventured in on a rising tide. It was so quiet and protected and surrounded by marshes with geese and swan families. 

Bike drill! Rode 1.5 miles into Port Jefferson to explore. The sky opened up so we ducked into a hotel lobby (with wifi) to wait it out for 2 hours. Delicious dinner at a Spanish restaurant. 

On Sunday, we got an early start to make it out of the harbor without running aground. West to NYC!

After reading all the reviews of marinas on both sides of the Hudson, we decided to stay in Flushing at the World's Fair Marina run by the City Parks. 

CitiField. Home of the Mets.

No wake!!! Huge, protected marina at the foot of CitiField, the National Tennis Center, and Corona Park. A 20min walk to the #7 line into the city or the LIRR. It was a bit run down but safe and included free laundry, ice, and a head/shower ashore. All this for only $2/ft. There is a fuel dock and pump-out but the pump-out was out of order. When I called on the radio to ask for other pump-out locations they seemed a bit surprised and thanked us for wanting to use a pump-out. (Don't go swimming.)

That evening we went to see the World Trade Center Museum and Memorial. The museum was free to military; $24 otherwise. Then met up with Josh Eckmann (son of Mark's cousin, Lisa) for dinner and a drink. He loves NYC and had tons of ideas and suggestions for our visit.

What color was the sky on that September day?

Memorial quilt with photos of the victims from PA, NYC, and Pentagon.

The Survivor Staircase

Monday we washed down the boat and went to the Woodside neighborhood of Queens for Filipino food. Sarap! We were the only non-pinoys in Renee's Restaurant for the lunch special.  When I went to pay, the manager asked how I liked it and if I knew this was Filipino food. I explained that I love Filipino food and that Jo had grown up in the PI!

On to Times Sq to snag discount tickets at the TKTS booth. Josh and Mary Kate met us for a visit.

Cousins: Josh and MaryKate

Got to see the Time Hotel where Josh is a Bellman. Had time to chat with MK before we headed to the NY Public Library in Bryant Park. Grand old bldg with an interesting WWI propaganda exhibit. Then back to 49th St for dinner and a show. Ave Q. So funny. It's been out for years but we had never seen it.

NY Public Library

Rainy Tuesday. Amtrak shut down from DC to Philly so Jay, our crew, was running late.  He finally arrived at 1800. Met him at the train station and we Uber-ed into Flushing for Chinese food, and Uber-ed home. There were NO cabs to hail so the Uber app was perfect.  

We will leave for NJ tomorrow and will check off another Bucket List item: Hell Gate!