The sails were set as we headed across the Sandy Hook sound over to the lower bay the entrance of New York Harbor. A bright day ahead of us!!We passed by our first of many small like lighthouse structures that marked rocks..  It was decided that I would cook breakfast before we got to close. As we were getting   nearer to the narrows of the Upper Bay, we noticed lots of Coast Guard boats and Police boats, so we stayed clear figuring they were diving or something. Suddenly a Coast Guard boat approached our vessel and told us to head over to the boats and keep ourselves between them. They were conducting a Home Land Security safe harbor check.. Doing as we were told we started through the gauntlet . They were Coast Guard, New York Police and Environmental Police about 12 boats in all. As we got to the end they took our picture.. I guess we passed as they didn't come after us.. Good to know they are protecting our harbors..Still somewhat scary.. Up the bay we continued, till there she was Lady Liberty standing for all to see.. Carl had never seen her before so he was quite excited.. We stopped to look at her , gave her a toast , then we sailed all around her.. How many people can say they have seen all sides of her!!! Ellis Island was just off the starboard side. The skyline of Manhattan to the east, is something to see. Since I have been there many times and Carl didn't want to go ashore we headed up the East River.There we saw Pier 17 with it tall ships, a heliport with 7 helicopters on the pad. I took pictures but it may be hard to see, so look close. Next came the Brooklyn Bridge right next to the Manhattan Bridge (the Brooklyn is the stone one) and the fight up the East River. I mean a fight...This a narrow river with business Manhattan on one side and industrial Brooklyn on the other with a strong current against us. At full speed we are only moving at 1.5 to 2.00 knots... No where to pull out of it..We think this one building in the Empire State bldg but not sure, you tell us. The people in this area have no concern for other boaters!!They speed by causing a large wake that bounces off the seawall on each side and sends it back your way.. THIS IS NOT A FUN AREA!!! Ourselves and the trawler behind us are doing all we can to keep moving. We are being tossed around like old rag dolls..  I checked the tide chart and it said it would be slack tide soon, we can only wait..Carl's stress is high and he is not happy.. to say the least...Bella is a wreck once again.. When we turn into Hell's Gate I took a picture of the lighthouse at the entrance it's old stone... Hell's Gate is called that for a reason....Next we pass Rickers Island, that is one hell of a prison,, it's huge...I didn't take any pictures who wants to see a prison.. As we were leaving the city the water gets wider and the current gets less. The weather had said it would rain at 4pm and at 3:30 it did.. Not to heavy at first , then the sky's opened up.. With all the rocks in the area and no visibility, we pulled out of the channel and dropped the hook for the night...Carl poured himself a drink and Bella stops shaking.. As much as we loved seeing Lady Liberty and New York the town of many bridges, sailing here was not for us.. If we ever come through these parts again we will be sure to check the tide charts to make passage easier..Or we will find another way home.. This trip is one lesson after another....