The helicopter had just landed runway 3, on the grass just W of the approach end. There was a fairly strong wind from the NW. I had not noticed much turbulence during 50-mile trip, but I started encountering some on final (the helo had made right traffic, I had been on left). I thought it would ease up a bit once I got below tree level, but it only seemed to get worse. I had to stay active on both pedals as I kept getting pushed one way then the other. I managed to keep it lined up pretty well with the centerline, but then, when I was within about a foot of touching down, suddenly I found myself three feet in the air, and before I could react with any throttle, I suddenly came down those three feet and hit pretty hard. Fortunately I stayed well aligned, so it just resulted in once good bounce, and I kept rolling down to the taxiway turnoff hoping not too many spectators saw it! I took a long look at my landing gear after I got parked.
In retrospect, I could have extended my downwind just a bit for more spacing, although there was a formation of three planes just turning crosswind, about to do some demonstrations. Mainly, though, I should have stayed well above where the helo parked, and just landed long... there was plenty of runway in front of me. But I had only been thinking about ordinary turbulence, not helicopter-rotor turbulence. It's a lesson I won't soon forget!
Yep, if you fly along the river there are lots of spots where the water would be the best option. Within the NYC corridor itself, it's about your only option.
I agree with you about flying over trees, especially parts of Western Mass. Sometime you have to do it, but I don't much like it. I look for open areas, however small, alongside, or nestled within the forested areas, and head toward those, even if it means going significantly out of my way.
If I were you, I would definitely enable that satellite texter. It's cheap insurance if you fly where there are no other coms.