We spent two nights at Esopus Creek in Kingston NY. The rain was awful all day Wednesday. After trying to anchor at Skipper Bobs recommended spot at the head of the creek right below the dam (either hard rock or full of snags) a kindly guy on shore told us to take one of the moorings which are only used on weekends. This made a very snug mooring spot and we left the boat all day on an excursion. We drove to see West Point and then to the Culinary Institute of America (CIA) in Hyde Park. There was no time to see the FDR house on this trip so maye next year. We did a tour of the CIA and it was facinating. Boy do these cooks and bakers work HARD. They are almost running around the kitchen nonstop. Bought some good knives, which we were looking for for ages, in the giftshop. They had a great selection of knives and cooking gadets. Susan used great restraint and only bought a few small items. Dinner in the Italian restaurant at night was wonderful. The students cooked and served. Seeing them learning how to wait table showed me how good waiters make everything they do look easy. We are traveling this leg with our friend Alan from New Zealand. He is a rousing gent into his 80's who we first met on our honeymoon trip to New Zealand 26 years ago while hiking the Milford Trek on the South Island. He keeps us entertained constantly with great stories. On to Catskill tonight after a bit of shopping with our rental car. -- Greg and Susan Han and Alan Allegria Krogen Whaleback #16