Sue and John departed for home and we cruised to Kingston, NY on the Hudson to join Jeff and Leann who had taken the train from New York to meet us. The cruise down the Hudson River was the most beautiful of the trip and John says the closer we get to New York the nicer the towns will be, culminating in the mansions of Hyde Park and Tarrytown.
Kingston was New York's first capital and was burned by the British in 1777 after the Battle of Saratoga. In the 19th century, the city became an important transport hub after the discovery of natural cement in the region, and had both railroad and canal connections. Today it remains a very picturesque town and the first we have been in on this trip without any vacant storefronts.
While hanging out on the boat at the dock, Leann and I enjoyed the duck families, and how the parents took such good care of the fuzzy little babies (below deck when you look out the windows, the ducks are on close to the same level as we are and they cruise by the window within arms reach). We had an enjoyable afternoon walking in the rain and visiting the Hudson River Maritime Museum learning about the Algonquin Indians and steamboats, and dinner at the ‘Ship to Shore’. When we returned to the boat, the ducks were huddled on the dock, ducklings scruffled under their mom's wings and bellies to keep warm. It is the cutest thing ever!
Write a comment