The morning sun was shining as the ship departed at 9 a.m. sharp and began trailing up the west side of Manhattan. I particularly enjoyed this part of the ride because I got to watch from afar as we passed one of my favorite sections of the Hudson River Greenway. We listened to our friendly tour guide, David, a former acting and public speaking professor, share every local and historical fact imaginable while taking in the scenery. Because it was September, the leaves had not yet made their vibrant transformation, so I can only imagine how breathtaking the already gorgeous views will be during peak season.
Lex and I spent the first hour chatting and keeping warm under the hats she brought along. I made the mistake of only looking at the high of 72 degrees when checking the weather, and not accounting for the morning chill. If you do choose to sit outside, know that it can be quite windy and a bit chilly, especially in the mornings. I would recommend easy-to-remove layers (you will definitely warm up later!) and a cozy hat.
By 10 a.m., the chill in the air had subsided, and we were feeling ready to indulge in some Oktoberfest fare. Even though it was still early, we started at the bar—because why not! We certainly weren’t the only ones—most people on board (of whom I’d guess 70% were visitors from out of town) had already started drinking, and the vibes were high. Lex went with a pumpkin beer, which solidified the already autumnal ambiance. As the resident gluten-intolerant, I opted for white wine. Downstairs, the food options ranged from hot dogs and nachos to a plethora of baked goods and German-style plates. Lex chose a hot dog and a massive soft pretzel, and I went with nachos and a protein box. The food wasn’t my personal highlight; it was similar to what you might find at a sporting-event concession stand. However, Lex was a huge fan of her snacks. As we finished up eating, the band, Divining Rod Band, made its first appearance, performing a mix of folk and country songs—a fantastic complement to the views.
After about three hours on the water, we arrived at the Bear Mountain State Park dock, where we got off and were led up a winding path that offered scenic views of Bear Mountain Bridge. On the way up, we veered off the walkway onto a section of the Appalachian Trail, and within five minutes, we nearly bumped into a baby deer and its mother. I grew up in a section of the Appalachian Mountains, so this was an especially nostalgic moment for me. Once we reached the top of the original path, we were greeted with a glistening view of Hessian Lake. Picnic tables lined the water, filled with groups enjoying the early fall afternoon and last rays of September sun.
