Kingston, New York, 10/15/2022, National Geographic Sea Lion
Aboard the
National Geographic Sea Lion
U.S. East Coast
We woke up this morning with a full schedule of activities ahead of us. As we ventured out on deck, the dense fog only added to the feeling of adventure. Soon, however, the fog started to dissipate, and Rondout Lighthouse came into view. It somehow seemed fitting that the lighthouse would be our guide through the mist, leading us into the harbor at Kingston. We spent the day visiting the Maritime Museum, exploring town, and watching the craftsmen at the boat building school. To cap off our day, we visited the sailing vessel Apollonia, a step back into time as the cargo ship is powered only by wind. The purpose of this ship is to offer a carbon free alternative to shipping up and down the Hudson. Another great day exploring the Hudson Valley here in New York.
Steve Morello has had a long and colorful career in the natural history world. Born in New Jersey he was lucky to be able to summer on the shores of Cape Cod. Whether it was exploring the tidal pools, snorkeling along the beach, or hiking in the dune...
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We awoke anchored on the Hudson River near the Bear Mountain Bridge. Warm air over the cool waters created a marine layer of fog that set the mood for our early morning hiking, kayaking, and Zodiac cruises. After our morning adventures, we enjoyed a brunch feast back on the ship. Our afternoon outing was to the town of Sleepy Hollow. We enjoyed poetry readings at the Hudson Valley Writers Center and a retelling of “The Legend of Sleepy Hollow” at the Old Dutch Church, along with a visit to the cemetery where Washington Irving is laid to rest.
What a delightful day on the Hudson River. The morning started with shrouds of fog as we approached our anchorage just off Esopus Island, parting the turbid waters of the Hudson River. We enjoyed hiking adventures in the moist, sloped, deciduous forest. We searched for fungi and amphibians freshly invigorated by recent rains. Our afternoon was bathed in warmth and humidity. We visited the Stoutridge Vineyard & Distillery in the rolling verdant hills of Marlboro, where we sampled lovingly crafted natural wines and spirits. We rounded out our day at The Falcon, where we were treated to a performance of soulful swinging blues by Big Joe Fitz and The Lo-Fi’s.
One of the central tenets of National Geographic Sea Lion’s voyage up the Hudson River is transformation. From the first light of dawn, this theme was evident. Beneath gray skies, autumn colors grow richer by the day, signaling the climax of autumn approaching and the warm days ending. Soft rains drenched the landscape and our raincoats, a welcome change from the relative heat of the last few days. It is days like this that those of us who hail from the Northeast dream about in the depths of winter and the swelters of summer. Our first land operation of the day was a visit to the grounds of Storm King Art Center. A 500-acre paradise of sculpture and autumn colors, each of us charted our own course along the grounds. I found myself particularly impressed with the works of Kenyan artist Wangechi Mutu, whose Afrofuturistic style proved a stark contrast to the painters of the Hudson Valley School, with whom we have become intimately acquainted. This place has been transformed countless times over the course of the centuries: glaciated and thawed, stewarded by different peoples, and home to an ever-changing array of life. Following lunch, we hiked to the ruins of the Cornish Estate. Once again, our theme rang loud and clear. Before our very eyes, we saw the reclamation of construction materials by nature. But perhaps the highlight of our day was our visit to Glynwood Farm. A not-for-profit organization, the good folks at Glynwood are helping to usher in change in the Hudson Valley. Training apprentice farmers, restoring land that has fallen into disrepair, and nourishing a community are at the heart of their mission. Following a tour of their farm and a lesson in foraging the Hudson Valley, we were treated to a five-course farm-to-table meal. Paired with wines both local and international, each plate prompted deep thought and satisfaction. As we board National Geographic Sea Lion and the river rocks us into sleep, we will dream of cozy autumn days like this.
