America’s Cup and Crowded Skies – New York

We had the pleasure to see some of the Louis Vuitton America’s Cup World Series in New York Harbor last week-end. With crowds lining both sides of (and on) the Hudson, the unique and expensive racing sailboats were impressive. 

DSC_0667 - Version 2

DSC_0702 - Version 2
To please spectators, some of the boats paraded under “fast  tow” on their hydrofoils, as shown here with the team USA “Oracle.”

Overcast skies dominated the first of two days, and racing was limited due to less than acceptable wind. 

DSC_0726Overhead, however, were the ever-present helicopters, offering race coverage and sightseeing perspectives for those fortunate…  or were they? 

DSC_0633

DSC_0690

DSC_0693DSC_0692

Although it looks worrisome from the camera’s long lens, day in and day out “Air Traffic Control” manages to do a remarkable job of keeping these helicoptors  spaced apart within controlled flight paths – a fact underscored by safety records. 

DSC_0689
I captured the official event photographer as he captured us, from our vantage point below the iconic Colgate Clock, in Jersey City. 

DSC_0714

As usual, click on the image for a closer look, and thanks for viewing. Comments are always welcome. M 🙂

 

The Marina Life – Fifteen Years Ago (Revised)

OLYMPUS DIGITAL CAMERA
Quiet, Still – Pre-Dawn Solitude
OLYMPUS DIGITAL CAMERA
April 27, 2001

It was grunge – it was heaven

Smelly fish – and hot chowder

Windy, wet and wild – and indescribably beautiful

Broken winches, faulty I/O’s, muddy lines – BBQ food, drinks and best of friends

Weekends were…. The Marina Life.

Prime Image – 4/27/01. Feature Image – 7/23/01. Tall Oaks Marina, Forked River, NJ

As usual, click on the image for a closer look, and thanks for viewing. Comments are always welcome. M:-)

..

The Marina Life – 15 years ago

OLYMPUS DIGITAL CAMERA
April 27, 2001

It was grunge –  it was heaven

Smelly fish  –  and hot chowder

Windy, wet and wild –  and indescribably beautiful

   Broken winches, faulty I/O’s, muddy lines –  BBQ food, drinks and best of friends

Weekends were…. The Marina Life.

 

As usual, click on the image for a closer look, and thanks for viewing. Comments are always welcome. M 🙂

Prime Image – 4/27/01. Feature Image  – 7/23/01. Both – Tall Oaks Marina, Forked River, NJ

UTAH: Day Three and Four – Lake Powell, Natural Bridges and Salt Lake City

 

Our four days exploring in Utah, continued early Saturday morning, 11/7/15, at the ‘outpost’ of Bullfrog, Glen Canyon National Recreation Area where we rented a small boat to explore nearby parts of Lake Powell, specifically Moqui Canyon. Later we would view the remarkable terrain in Natural Bridges National Monument, spend the night in Salt Lake City, and fly home Sunday, 11/8/15. 

This post contains 18 images most with comments. Browse through quickly, or click on for higher visual resolution.  

DSC_1388
From our lodge, early morning…houseboats moored at Bullfrog Marina
DSC_1407
One of the last days of the season, there were virtually no other renters despite what I considered perfect weather.
DSC_1448
Easily enduring chilly morning temperatures, the stunning sceanery kept the cameras busy, as Holly focuses here. 
DSC_1489 - Version 2
Seven year old Tyler was no exception.
DSC_1491
Moqui Canyon is one of hundreds of flooded canyons of the Glen Canyon portion of the Colorado River.
IMG_2493
The winding waterway, in just this one “side” canyon, goes on for a number of miles, twisting and turning with one incomparable view after another.

 

IMG_2498
We beached here where Holly, Steve and Tyler climbed and explored, as I relished in the awesome surroundings.
DSC_1533
All three are in this image, as photographed from the boat.
DSC_1534
Steve , camera in hand, explores around the bend.
DSC_1544
The weather today was cool, crisp and perfect; while summertime brings temperatures near 100 deg. F. (38 deg. C.) …with an abundance of houseboats and pleasure craft, many rented for a week at a time or privately owned.
DSC_1552
Steve, Holly and grandson Tyler

IMG_2507

DSC_1624
I believe Lake Powell has only three access areas in its 186 mile (299 km) length and 1,960 miles (3,161 km) of shoreline, leaving plenty of exploration room.

IMG_2467

DSC_1704
After returning the boat, driving for a few more hours, and seeing virtualy no one on the road, (except  a mounted cowhand coaxing his small herd of cattle,) we explored Natural Bridges National Monument in the later afternoon.
IMG_2595
A spectacular scenic roadway provides viewpoints for several bridges, this being  Kachina, 210 ft. (64 m) high.
DSC_1762
We continued late into the night to Salt Lake City and our room. Sunday morning, day four, 11/8/15, the Wasatch Mountains caught the early sunlight as seen from our hotel (see feature image at top of this post,) and the view above was of the Utah State Capitol building as we headed back to the airport.
DSC_0010
The Colorado Rockies are below our regional jet to Denver, then the long flight home – ending our otherwise short and memorable adventure.

As usual, thanks for viewing and comments are always welcome. M 🙂

Right of Way – In The Summertime

A beginner’s guide to who has the right of way on the waterways.

This educational (?) post contains 10 images. Click on for more details. 

DSC_0827
1.) The sailboat on the right HAD the right of way, but somebody here didn’t care!
DSC_0838

2.) Hand powered vessels have the right of way, unless…
DSC_0850
3.) … a bigger boat doesn’t see it that same way
DSC_0834
4.) Sailboats, and the remains thereof, have the right of way.
DSC_0859
Ditto, against 10,000 ton barge.
DSC_0853
6.) “Norwegian Breakaway” has right of way to breakaway sailboats who think they have right of way.
DSC_0864
7.) Refer to Number 6, above.
DSC_0831
8.) Naked, or near naked women have right of way under all circumstances.
DSC_0581
9.) See No. 8 above –  for passing paddle boarders. Caution should be observed.
DSC_0659 - Version 2
Captains with the most beer have the right of way, or so they believe.

Images 1-8, Hudson River, NY Harbor, 8/9/15

Images 9-10, Barnegat Bay N.J. 8/16/15

No offense is meant by these fun images, only educational enlightenment.

Hope you are having a safe and happy summer. As usual, thanks for viewing, and comments are always welcome M 🙂