Sunday, November 13 2005

0430 hours: With most of the crew still asleep, we depart from Roundout Creek under a crisp and clear night sky. The stars seem particularly bright and clear tonight (though, sadly, not so bright that we could take photos).

0600 hours: Watch change; the crew that slept through our departure now comes on duty, while the watch involved in casting off our lines is now free to go grab a little more shuteye after downing some breakfast.

0745 hours: In the early morning light, the crew relaxes as we motor past the Culinary Institute of America.

Meanwhile, Beth Netter is nearly done with her shift at the whipstaff. All the roles on the Half Moon are filled by our volunteer crew, from steering the helm to standing lookout.

0800 hours: As the skies brighten , we fly our colors. Here, Rex Powell runs up the lion rampant, which represents both the province of Holland and the royal House of Orange.

Moments later, the sun finally appears over the eastern horizon and temperatures start to rise.

0805 hours: Passing under the Poughkeepsie-Highland Railroad Bridge always makes for a dramatic photo.

0915 hours: The crew socializes as we continue down the Long Reach, a particularly narrow section of river running between Kingston and Poughkeepsie.

0930 hours: To help our younger crew members pass the time, we pull out a river chart. First, the boys learn how to plot our course on the chart, then use our speed and remaining distance to calculate our arrival time in Verplanck.

1000 hours: Other crew members head aloft.

1015 hours: We pass under the Newburgh-Beacon Bridge...

...soon passing between the towns it links.

1100 hours: As we motor past the romantic ruin of Bannerman's Arsenal on Pollepal Island, we enter the Hudson Highlands and the final stage of our journey.

1115 hours: The crew chats as we pass Storm King.

1130 hours: Down on the orlop deck, Steve Barratt prepares a port falconette to fire a salute when we pass...

1200 hours: ...West Point. Give fire!

1230 hours: Some of the crew have offered to help out with our shipcrafts. Here, Randi Dell'Acquer helps make a new canvas "boot" for the fore mast. (In inclement weather, a boot like this helps prevent rain or snow from leaking down the mast into the fo'c'stle.)

Steve Barratt and Rex Powell also lend a hand.

1245 hours: As we leave the highlands, a few crew members take the opportunity to climb aloft one last time.

1300 hours: As we come around the bend, Verplanck comes into view. In this photo, the Indian Point power plant is visible on the horizon. Just beyond it is King Marine, our destination and longtime friend and host.

Jamison takes the helm to steer us home.

1315 hours: As we arrive at King Marine, Steve Barratt fires another salute to our hosts. (Move your mouse over the image to the left to see him in action -- and also to see why that cannon is lashed to the bulkhead).

Moments later, we reach our destination: King Marine.

1345 hours: With the help of the Meilick family, who handle the lines on shore, the Half Moon is quickly docked. We have arrived!

1500 hours: With the Half Moon now safely at its winter berthing, everyone who has just completed their first voyage with us is awared with their official crew shirts. It wasn't until we saw this sea of orange that we realized just how many of our crew members had gone out with us for the first time!

After most of our crew members depart, a skeleton crew (comprised of Captain Reynolds, Sky and Kara Colley, Dan Dawson, John Mangrum, and Andrew van Vranken) stays for another day to move the Half Moon inside King Marine's bulkhead (to protect it from winter ice) and winterize the ship. The Half Moon will remain here in Verplanck until next May, when our Voyages of Discovery will once again resume.

We'd like to offer thanks to all of our volunteer crew members, without whom the Half Moon's voyages would not be possible.

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