GL: Fall cruise

[Lawrence Zeitlin]

Boaters in the NY, NJ, and CT tri-state area should not miss the  
opportunity to take a fall foliage tour in the Hudson Valley. The  
early fall weather has been particularly lovely. The combination of  
warm days and cool nights promises a magnificent show of color this  
season. Some leaves have already started to turn. One maple in our  
yard is sporting a brilliant shade of orange, the like of which we  
haven't seen for many a year. The peak color is expected within two  
weeks.

Cruise up the river to Kingston for the best view  The Hudson  
Highlands are incomparably beautiful this time of year. The river cuts  
through the Appalachian range and mountains border both shores,  
National Geographic magazine calls it the most picturesque stretch of  
navigable waterway in the USA, rivaling the Norwegian fjords. The best  
cruising area and the most magnificent scenery in the Hudson Valley  
extends from the Tappan Zee bridge to Kingston, 90 mies upriver. It  
includes Bear Mountain, West Point, and the picturesque towns of  
Garrison and Cold Spring. The Kingston waterfront has been  
rehabilitated and gentrified. Rondout Creek offers the Hudson's  
largest concentration of marine services and marinas, but the best bet  
is to spend the night at the very reasonably priced town dock, You are  
right next to the town riverside park and within a few steps from a  
wide variety of restaurants.

This close to the end of the boating season most facilities are  
uncrowded and you should have no trouble finding good berths and  
anchorages. Give your boat a wonderful fall cruise before putting it  
in shrink wrap. It promises to be a long, snowy winter.

Larry Z