http://www.westfaironline.com/hudson-valley-biz/article/8462-bon-voyage.html
The Lark left her dock at the Rondout Creek last week on a 15-minute journey to Rhinecliff that advocates hope, could ultimately lead to a lucrative new tourism program and perhaps one day lead to a time-saving way for travelers to cross the Hudson River. The Lark is the name of a 47-passenger water taxi that celebrated its maiden voyage with celebrations at its home dock at the Maritime Museum in the Rondout area of Kingston and journeyed to its dock in Rhinecliff adjacent to the Rhinecliff Hotel, where another party ensued. The 45-foot boat was named after the first ferry to serve the two Hudson River communities in 1906. That service endured until Jan. 7, 1957, when the Kingston-Rhinecliff Bridge opened.
The new service that set out Aug. 31 highlighted the attractive possibilities of a water taxi. “It was very lovely,” said Sandy Henne, who also owns the Kingston-based cruise vessel Rip Van Winkle, which is now in its 30th year of service. “We got to stand on the patio at the Rhinecliff Hotel and watch a beautiful sunset. Everyone was very encouraging about the possibilities and I think it’s going to be a very good service.” The Lark will run weekends through October, starting Friday evening from 6 to 9 p.m., with departures on the half-hour from Rhinecliff and on the hour from Kingston. The same pattern holds on Saturdays and Sundays when service starts at noon. The full schedule is available at hudsonrivercruises.com.
The potential for shopping in Rhinebeck was raised by revelers at the Rhinecliff ceremony for the first voyage, said Henne, who said there was discussion of creating a shuttle service from the docks to the parking lot at the Beekman Arms in the middle of Rhinebeck, two miles inland.
She believes ultimately a Hudson River water taxi could run on a daily schedule. She said she is examining options for a service to Poughkeepsie that would allow Ulster County commuters to access the Metro-North Railroad station and would allow New Yorkers to come to this area for a car-free vacation, using trains, water taxis and shuttles. “We are looking at a lot of possibilities,” she said.Bon voyage
