Hudson River Cruise
Tuesday 21 October - I flew from DFW to Albany, NY. The flight departed about 6:50pm CDT and landed in Albany about 10:34pm EDT. From the airport, I took an Uber to the Renaissance Hotel in downtown Albany. Check in for room 1016 was easy and I was in the room a few minutes before midnight.
Wednesday 22 October - Just after 10, I walked a couple of blocks to the NewYork State Capitol. The temperature was in the upper-50s with a slight breeze, and the sun played peek-a-boo with the clouds. The eastern entrance was under construction, so I entered the southern one. After passing through Security, I picked up a brochure and spent an hour or so exploring the “Romanesque and French Renaissance” style structure completed in 1899 at a cost of $25 million. There were few visitors. Thank goodness for the elevators because the staircases would be difficult for someone using a cane.
Exiting the Capitol, I walked to the Minster Presbyterian Church and to the Emmanuel Baptist Church; neither was open.
Seeing some fall color on the trees was a bonus.
Thursday 23 October - Group 1 was scheduled to leave at 9:15. After checking her list, Jessica Mcclimon, the cruise director, led us to the coach; Nancy was the local guide aboard and pointed out points of interest as we drove to the New York State Museum, a modern structure built when Nelson Rockefeller was governor. We arrived about 10:30.
From there, my destination was the first floor to wait for the coach at 11:30. The museum held many interesting exhibits but seemed to have space for more; that space was occupied by posters and pictures.
After boarding the coach, we drove a less-than-scenic route to the ACL Liberty docked in Troy, NY.
After boarding, I climbed stairs to my cabin (402) and unpacked. The upgrade to a suite put me into more space than I needed. Two bottles of wine and a fruit and cheese plate were “Welcome Gifts;” there was refrigerator with water and juices.
The ‘Sail Away Celebration” on deck 3 at two o’clock coincided with the ship leaving the dock. As we sailed past Albany, a swinging bridge opened, and Robert Yonskie pointed out landmarks. When I returned to the cabin about 3:30, chocolate dipped strawberries were on the counter. Jessica gave her overview and “Do’s and Dont’s” before Robert’s talk about “Fall on the Hudson” which really gave a brief history of the river and a preview of upcoming sights. He ended with brief remarks about Catskill Point, tomorrow’s port. Jessica presented “Chart Your Course” about tomorrow’s activities at 8:30.
Friday 24 October - It was 43 degrees and overcast with an expected high of 53 degrees. Returning to the cabin, I checked emails and worked puzzles until time to leave for the ‘Catskills Driving Exploration” tour at 9:15. Robert Yonskie was the guide aboard the coach for the two-hour tour, and his commentary included local history, flora, and fauna. He mentioned that “Stewart’s Shops” makes its ice cream using the milk from local independent dairies.
Our route took us from the dock at Catskill Point and through both the village of Catskill and the city of Catskill to “Catskill State Park.” Robert mentioned that the current drought really affected leaf color, and that this is only the second week.
We slowed to view “Catskill Falls,” the highest in the state.
By about 11:40, we had retraced our route and stopped at the “Rip Van Winkle Bridge” spanning the Hudson.
Leaving there at 11:10 got us back to the riverboat before 11:30. Jessica led “Classic Movie Trivia” at 3 before Robert’s lecture on the “Flora and Fauna of the Hudson River Valley.” His port preview of West Point followed. A sprinkling of rain produced a rainbow.
Saturday 25 October - We docked at Milton, NY overnight. The “West Point Experience” tour departed at 8. The temperature was 34 degrees with a forecast high of 54 degrees. Fog shrouded the river. Robert narrated the 45 minute coach ride to the US Military Academy at West Point. Some colorful foliage decorated scenes outside of the coach windows.
After walking across the street to the “Parade Ground,” Ed pointed out statues of various generals in the area. The Commandant’s house faces those grounds.
After reboarding the coach, we drove to our last stop, the “West Point Chapel.” This chapel in the military gothic style is impressive both inside and out. The stained glass windows shimmered, and flags lined the nave. The massive organ has 800 stops.
Returning to the visitor’s center, we had about 25 minutes to visit the restrooms and gift shop before the ride to the riverboat.
At 4, I attended Robert’s “American Revolution on the Hudson, Part 1” and his port preview of Kingston. Jessica’s overview of tomorrow’s activities at 8:20 was followed by “A Little Bit Country,” Robert’s show.
Sunday 26 October - This morning’s temperature was 42 degrees with the day’s forecast high to be 53 degrees. The riverboat was docked at Kingston, NY. Because of the government shutdown, the “Hyde Park” tour including the mansion was cancelled. The substitution was a drive through “Hyde Park” and shopping time in Rhinebeck Village; that tour departed at 9 with Toni as our guide. We drove across the Hudson and through the town of Hyde Park traveling along the Old Post Road. We saw the exterior of “Springfield,” FDR’s home as well as the exterior of the “Mills” mansion. We drove past “The Culinary Institute of America” and “Marist College.” Toni played a video about FDR and Eleanor narrated by their grandchildren. Arriving at Rhinebeck about 10:30, we had an hour to wander the town. I went inside the historic “Beekman Arms Inn” and bought coffee and a delicious blueberry muffin at “Bread Alone.”
At 4, I went to the “Hudson Valley Apple Tasting” onboard in “Chesapeake Lounge.” The presentation focused on the history, propagation, production, and marketing of apples. We tasted 6 different varieties; I learned some interesting facts but found it difficult to believe that I spent a half hour or so learning about apples—something I rarely buy and never cook. Jessica’s overview of tomorrow’s activities was at 8:20 followed by Robert’s performance of “Moonlight and Love Songs.”
Monday 27 October - It was a cruising day with no ports. The temperature was 28 degrees and there was ice on the outside deck. On the way back to my cabin, I detoured and picked up the “Genius Quiz.” After returning the my cabin and completing the quiz, I took it to Jessica. At 10, I went to “70s Trivia.” During that event, we set sail from Kingston heading downriver to Alpine, NJ. The temperature warmed to the mid-50s. We passed the mansions we had glimpsed from the road yesterday and the “Culinary Institute of America.” The sunny and bright day created a beautiful afternoon for enjoying the river. Houses of many sizes dotted the shore, many sitting atop the hills lining the river and others hugging the riverbank. “Storm King Mountain” and “West Point” were notable landmarks.
At 3:45, Robert lectured on “Benedict Arnold: The Traitor Who Won the American Revolution.” The port preview followed. Tomorrow’s overview by Jessica began at 8:20 and was followed by the evening’s entertainment: “By the Seat of His Pants with Joe Bronzi” (a comedian).
Tuesday 28 October - We were tied up in Alpine, NJ when I got up just after 5am; the temperature was 40 degrees with an anticipated high in the mid-50s.
The “Sleepy Hollow Cemetery Tour” began at 8:45. As we departed the port, it became evident that we’re tied up under a huge rocky cliff. Large rocks lined the narrow road. The route to Sleepy Hollow, NY included crossing the “Tappan Zee Bridge” and took about 45 minutes. Upon arrival, Christina, a tour guide, met us and escorted us into the Old Dutch Church, erected in 1687 by Frederick Philipse for use by his tenants. The interior is austere. The massive pulpit towers over the very uncomfortable pews, and an organ crowns the rear. Christina gave a brief history of the church before telling of Washington Irving’s life and connection to the area. She emphasized the importance of his short story, “The Legend of Sleepy Hollow” to the area. After exiting the church, we stopped at some graves in the adjacent, three-acre churchyard. These are graves of individuals who might have inspired the characters in Irving’s stories. Because Washington Irving was Episcopalian and not Dutch Reformed, he could not be buried in the churchyard. He was instrumental in acquiring ninety acres adjacent to the “Dutch Reformed Cemetery,” and this property became the “Sleepy Hollow Cemetery.” Irving’s grave and those of his relatives are in the prime location at the top of a very steep hill. The wind was blowing, and I was cold. At the end of the tour, we reboarded the coach and retraced our journey to the riverboat.
My afternoon treat included a special “Happy Birthday” dessert which I enjoyed with my coffee.
I returned to the lounge at 8:20 for Jessica’s overview of tomorrow.
Wednesday 29 October - The temperature was 48 degrees with a forecast high of 55; overcast skies dulled. The sun tried to peek through as the riverboat’s horn sounded when we prepared to set sail about 9. Despite Robert’s excellent commentary, oozing along Manhattan Island for hours bored. About noon, the riverboat reached Ellis Island and The Statue of Liberty, turned around and began oozing back to “Pier81,” arriving about 2pm.
The “Hidden Gem of Manhattan—Upper West Side” tour departed at 2:30. Katherine guided us. We drove through Manhattan traffic to The Cathedral of Saint John the Divine; that took almost an hour. Katherine provided commentary as we toured the massive and impressive structure. “Collective Ballet” was rehearsing in the nave for an upcoming event. Quilts created by inmates in the Louisiana State Prison - Angola to fund a hospice unit inside the prison were on display.
Then we drove back to the pier and arrived about 5:30.
Thursday 30 October - he transfer to JFK was scheduled for 7:30, but we departed at 7:20. The luggage was already loaded, but I was anal and made certain mine was inside the van before we drove off. There were 12 passengers in a 14 passenger van. Traffic was abysmal. We dropped 4 people at Delta and then drove around the world before arriving at Terminal 8. I was in the line for TSAPreCheck at 9:20. By 9:40, I was seated in Gate 1 awaiting the departure of AA1956 scheduled for 1pm with boarding at 12:20. Because of the rain, there was a potential departure delay even though the door was closed before 1pm—we were told maybe as much as 90 minutes. We took off at 2:05 EDT after sitting on the tarmac and taxiway for an hour. The flight was problem free and landed at DFW at 5pm CDT.
