Frozen..

Ice crystals on a stream along the trail leading to Indian Head Mountain in the Catskills.

Our world is frozen right now. Frozen solid.

Look around, the creeks are frozen, the Hudson River is full of icebergs. Will it ever thaw out? I guess it is inevitable. Even the ground hog is saying six more weeks of winter…

To make the best of it, we have been getting in some hiking and skiing. It makes the winter go by faster if you are having fun. And meaning that the Hudson Valley dishes the cold weather, we might as well take advantage of it.

So grab your crampons and walk the ice. Soon we will be paddling again.

Thinking about warmer water…

A turtle pops his head up from the water.

This is a tough time of the year for us watersport folks.

Unless we pack up all our gear and truck down to warmer parts of the country, we are not getting any paddling done. And that is hard. Don’t get me wrong, I love the winter.. skiing, hiking and climbing, but I do miss the water.

I feel fortunate to have paddled at the end of December with Edie down in Georgia. We had a wonderful time! But it reminded me just how much I miss being out on the water.

I for one will keep poking my head out and checking on the water, maybe I will have to look south again.

Enjoy the winter, one way or another!

Happy New Year!

Paddling on the Altamaha River.

November paddle..

Paddling in the Hudson River on a mild November morning.

It has been just over a week since my dad passed away.

This morning was the first time I have gotten out on the Hudson River since the funeral on Monday. My mind has been sorting through so many emotions.  I would like to say the river spoke to me. I certainly was listening. But in the end, I was out there alone finding strength on my own. Sometimes floating in the current, other times paddling as hard as I could.

Being outside has always grounded me. Today was no exception, the fresh air, the water. My dad introduced me to the wilderness. Maybe that’s why I feel at home out there, and now.. why I feel the closest to him in the outdoors.

Sunday paddle..

Who would have thought we would get a 65-degree day on November 8? I didn’t. But Edie and I did take advantage of the fantastic weather and got out on the Hudson River. The warm afternoon gave way to an early sunrise which was spectacular. We paddle north from Rhinecliff up past the bays, which were choked by water chestnuts over the summer and are now cleared, and followed the coastline.

It was a great way to wind up the weekend.  Here’s to unexpected good weather…. cheers.

Every sunset is special..

The sun sets in the western sky, illuminating the Catskill Mountains.

There is a quiet hush that I feel when I see the sun rising or setting. It is emotional. A beginning, a closing, marking time? I hope not. I like to think of it as a celebration.

Seeing the sun illuminating the landscape with soft colorful light makes me feel alive. It refreshes and relaxes me. It makes me contemplate life. It makes me realize how small I am in the world.

As I stare in amazement toward the light, it blinds me at times, changes my vision after being captivated by its rays.

I think about what I have in life. I think about what I am losing as my dad fades by the disease that has ripped his body from his mind. He is fighting a losing battle with ALS.

I have grown up on the Hudson with my dad and my grandfather and then later, shared the river with my daughters. I have watched the sun rise over the source of the Hudson, Lake Tear of the Clouds, and have watched it set near the sea, in Manhattan. From paddling with Edie on crisp September mornings to watching the light fade behind her kayak as we head back to Rhinecliff on a summer evening, every one of them has a special memory associated with it.

We should cherish and share them with the ones we love.

Pearl Jam, Amongst The Waves..

Music and the outdoors. It’s a great combination. And the latest offering from Eddie Vedder and our friends from Pearl Jam have brought it all together for us in their new album Backspacer. Give it a listen.

Water swirls in the Kaaterskill Creek.

Amongst the Waves

What used to be a house of cards
Has turned into a reservoir
Saved the tears that were waterfalling

Let’s go swim tonight, darling
& Once outside the undertow
Just you & me & nothing more
If not for love I would be drowning
I’ve seen it work both ways, but I am up

Riding high amongst the waves
I can feel Like I
Have a soul that has been saved
I can feel like I
Put away my early grave

Gotta say it now
Better loud
Than too late

Remember back the early days
When you were young & thus amazed
Suddenly the channel changed
The first time you saw blood

Cut to later, now you’re strong
You’ve bled yourself, the wounds are gone
It’s rare then where is nothing wrong
Survived & you’re amongst the fittest
Love ain’t love until you give it up

Riding hi amongst the waves
I can feel like I
Have a soul that has been saved
I can see the light
Coming through the clouds in rays

Gotta say it now
Better loud
than too late

October sunrise..

The Rondout Lighthouse in the glow of the early morning sun.

There is nothing better to clear your mind then to head out in the cloak of darkness and catch the sunrise on the Hudson River. The hard part, of course, is actually getting your butt up and getting out there before the sun comes up and the moon vanishes in the bright sky.

This morning was a perfect October morning, the moon almost full. Sunday was the actual full moon, and it shone brightly on the rippling surface of the river. Going out that early, it is almost certain you will have the river to yourself. Except for all the birds.

Waves on the Hudson River.

As I crossed the Hudson from Rhinecliff, all the seagulls were working their way over to the jetty by the lighthouse. It seemed that there were many more than usual, but I think they were just gathering together to huddle up and keep warm. I worked my way over to the entrance of the Rondout Creek to catch the sun coming up behind the lighthouse pictured above.

After shooting several photographs I worked my way over along the western shore up to Kingston beach before pointing my bow into the sun and heading back across the river.

The current this morning was quite strong, the tide was low and still going out, pulling the kayak down river. I kicked the rudder a bit to correct my direction and worked my way to the shore. I pulled my boat up the ramp and rolled it back to the house. What a wonderful way to start the day.

Weather report – rain..

So do you buy into the weatherperons’s best guess or do you make plans and just carry them out to get your outdoor fix? It seems ” they” have predicted rain for the next eight days.

I think I will go out to the trusty weather rock each day and take my chances.

If you have any thoughts on the weather, let us know.

Autumn sunset..

The sun sets over the Hudson River in Rhinecliff on Monday evening.

We have had a wonderful season of paddling. It has been our pleasure to take so many clients out on the Hudson and Tivoli Bays over the past several months.

With autumn upon us, our season winds down. We will be taking out just a few fall folliage tours before the water temps dip too low.

It is my hope to paddle up to the first snowfall again this year. Equipped with the right outerwear to stay dry, warm and safe.

Please continue to check the blog. We will continue to post photographs and thoughts on the river and beyond.