Albany and South

After leaving the Champlain Canal we were back in the tidal Hudson River and salt water. It has been so nice not to have a salt-encrusted boat for the past month.

Just north of West Point is Pollepel Island home to Bannerman's Castle. After the Sapnish-American War, he bought 90% of the U.S. Army surplus. To provide a safe location to store munitions, in the spring of 1901 he began to build an arsenal on Pollepel. In August 1920, 200 pounds of shells and powder exploded in an ancillary structure, destroying a portion of the complex. Over the years, more fires, vandalism and neglect have left the buildings in ruins. Today, it is owned by the State of New York.

As we approached New York City we were met my a replica of Henry Hudson's ship "Half Moon". Next year is the 400th anniversary of his discovery and exploration of the Hudson River Valley and the ship is making a number of trips along the east coast.