Adventures on the Hudson – Part 4

Hudson River

Amelia and her grandparents spent four days travelling up the Hudson river valley. Similar to the St. Croix valley and Miss Liberty’s home port of Hudson, WI, but on a grander scale with cliffs and towering bluffs. Along the way they saw West Point, historic lighthouses, industrial ruins and riverside estates.

 

 

They spent a day in Kingston, New York visiting relatives.

When Amelia’s Grandmother put on her new Dansko shoes for the trek to dinner, her friend admonished her to break in such stylish footwear before risking blisters on a long walk. Amelia’s Grandmother said confidently, they were already the most comfortable shoes she’d ever worn.

 

 

Ironically, travelling by boat requires a lot of walking. Small town marinas are often a bit of a hike from their historic downtown. Fortunately traveling slowly is often the best way to soak in the atmosphere of a place, whether on foot or by boat.

 

Erie Canal

 

 

In Albany, Miss Liberty’s journey turned West, to the Erie Canal. The canal begins with the Waterford Flight, a series of five locks that raise boats 165 feet in just over a mile. This is the greatest lift in the shortest distance on any canal system in the world.

 

 

Amelia loves responsibility almost as much as she loves boating, so she’s always eager to help with boat handling. In the tall locks the water is turbulent as it rises. Grandpa holds a line to keep the boat next to the side, while Amelia and Grandma fend the boat off from the slimy walls.

 

 

This long, slow day on the canal marks the last day together. They cap it off with a quick spin on Miss Liberty’s tender, which Grandma likes to say is named after her favorite Granddaughter.