Mischief Managed Afloat: Dumbledore Edition

I'm going to apologize in advance that this post doesn't have many pictures. I blame Michael. We left New York City on a clear day and went down to Sandy Hook, New Jersey, which is a large bay with mainland New Jersey on one side and a peninsula state park on the other. Wednesday was our last warm day, and we were determined to use it, so we anchored in a little cove just inside the park. We dinghied ashore and spent a few hours walking along a misty beach, picking up sparkling seashells of deep blues and spirited orange, and dodging fishing lines of old men who have nothing better to do on a Wednesday afternoon than sit on the beach and fish. (In case you couldn't tell, I'm making up for my lack of pictures with unnecessarily flowery language.) We hiked inland as well, exploring little copses of trees dotted with real cacti and empty beer cans, checking out tiny crabs in patches of tall grass, and avoiding park rangers when we discovered the sign at the end of the

We made it to New York City! I'm not sure what buildings these are or what significance they have other than they were near us.... There's a great place for sailboats off of 79th street called 79th St Boat Basin. For only $30 a night, you can grab a mooring and then dinghy your way to shore and explore the city. This gave us an excellent opportunity to learn how to tie up to a mooring ball.  A mooring ball looks like a big floating beach ball that's securely attached to something at the bottom of the river. (I like to imagine a mermaid sitting on the bottom of the river holding the mooring ball like a giant balloon.)  As we approached the ball, it was my job to lean over with the boat hook and try and grab the web of ropes on top of the ball, then tie those lines to our boat so we don't float away. It took a couple tries, and my face got a little closer to the Hudson River than I would have liked, but eventually, we got it! The yellow thing i

After meeting up with Rhythm and Elixir V in Canajoharie, we decided to caravan together for the final few days on the canal. We left our nice, free spots on the dock a little bit earlier than Justin and I usually like. (Then again, any time before noon is earlier than Justin and I like.) We got to enjoy plenty more pretty scenery and nature stuff along the way. Finally! A photogenic heron! And of course, we went through more locks! One of the biggest locks on this trip was pretty cool because the door opens from the bottom on the way out, and you drive underneath it. Approaching the lock In the lock Through the lock! And I figured it was about time for a video so you can experience going through the lock for yourself, starring Justin! After a long day locking, the three crews gathered for dinner in Amsterdam aboard Rhythm, where Aimee made an amazing lentil soup and homemade bread. (Well, boatmade bread.) It was delicious, and it