MarineMax Lifestyles Northeast Edition Page 27

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Hopatcong says large groups of up to 100 boats are known to
anchor, often at popular Byram cove, and hop from boat to boat
for drinks, hot dogs and hamburgers. "it's like a spontaneous
community," he says.

a new addition, opened just this year, is the lake Hopatcong

Golf club--a lofty name for a miniature golf course, but it does
have a lot more to offer than your average mini-golf spot. morgan
says every hole features a miniature version of one of the many
historical sites for which the lake is known.

the 315-mile-long Hudson river offers some of the most sce-

nic yachting and culture-rich stops of any waterway in the north-
east. morgan says a popular route for many of his customers is to
launch from liberty state Park by the statue of liberty and head
north toward Haverstraw Bay--the widest point in the river--on
the way to destinations like West Point, Bear mountain and more.

at West Point, home to the U.s. military academy, the historic

thayer Hotel sits on a hilltop and offers commanding views of the
river as well as the academy campus.

Bear mountain state Park,

perched in the mountains above the
west bank of the Hudson, offers wil-
derness exposure within an hour of
manhattan. the park is known for
outdoor activities of all kinds--from
hiking, biking and fishing to cross-
country skiing--as well as beautiful
views.

still another popular stop along

the Hudson is historic tarrytown, once
home to author Washington irving,
whose house, sunnyside, is open for
tours. for history enthusiasts, lynd-
hurst is not to be missed. identified
by forbes as one of "america's most
beautiful mansions," it was designed
in 1838 as a Gothic revival mansion
with turrets, a four-story tower, vault-
ed ceilings, and a stately lawn that
stretches out to the Hudson.

and on the campier side, adja-

cent sleepy Hollow (of "the legend
of sleepy Hollow" fame) is known
for dramatic reenactments of irving's
classic tale.

on the atlantic ocean about 13

miles south of the rhode island coast
or 14 miles east of montauk, Block
island has been singled out as a "last
Great Place" by the nature conver-
sancy. clayhead trail has been named
one of "america's most Beautiful
coastal Walks."

rodman's Hollow is another natu-

ral wonder--a 230-acre glacial out-

wash basin filled with the state-endangered bushy rockrose as
well as bayberry, shadbush and arrowwood. in all, Block island
has 17 miles of pristine public beaches, with plenty of winding
paths to enjoy them by foot or bicycle in the temperate fall weath-
er before cold sets in. there's also horseback riding, parasailing,
fishing and kayaking if you're in the mood.

Block island also features five-star restaurants as well as sea-

food haunts, specialty boutiques, art galleries and souvenir shops.

matt cini, store manager of marinemax Brick, nJ, points out

that Block island can be a great stopping-off point on an easy
trip to not only Block island but also montauk, martha's Vineyard,
nantucket, newport and mystic. "it's one of all these amazing
boating trips we can do in a single week, and it's not that far," he
says. "that is what is amazing. the water is great, the weather in
the fall is not too hot or too cold, and it's just great boating.

"if anyone hasn't experienced it, they really should try to find

a way to get up here and spend a week on a boat."

annapolis, maryland

Hudson Valley, new york

lake Hopatcong, new Jersey