A Rough Crossing

I assumed that, when the time came, I would emerge from my pandemic isolation and make a smooth transition back into the world. Didn’t happen. It was a rough crossing and it threw me.

I was to meet my work colleagues at Pier 62 on the Hudson River in New York City for a two-hour cruise around Manhattan and the New York Harbor. My first real “outing” in fifteen months, and I was excited. I hadn’t seen most of these people since our last day in the office in 2020. What a great, relaxing way to get back into the city, I thought.

It was the hottest day so far this year, over ninety degrees and humid. The city was noisy, with more people out and about than I had seen in a long time. On paper, I had figured out how to get from the 6 train to the pier, and it looked so easy. Standing on 23rd Street, however, and trying to master getting on the Select Bus almost did me in.

I can count on one hand the number of times I’ve ridden a New York City bus. Any novice would have had trouble finding the bus stop. Construction scaffolding partially obscured the sign and the fare machine, and I needed to pay the fare before the bus arrived. I found it only to discover the machine wouldn’t take my MetroCard. I had to trudge back downstairs to the subway station and buy another.

If I hadn’t had a fun couple of hours ahead of me, I would have given up, gotten on the train, and come back home.

Once I got on the bus, it took me right to the pier, only steps from the boat, and once on the boat, the temperature cooled. Mine and the afternoon’s. I had a wonderful time catching up with my friends. We laughed, talked, and enjoyed spectacular views of Manhattan over food and drink as we sailed. 

Little Island, Manhattan’s newest park

Sailing beneath Brooklyn Bridge

Getting back to the 6 train from the pier? No problem. I’m a Select Bus expert now!