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 par, 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.

Family of eagles..

A pair of bald eagles and a juvenile bird was sighted near Rhinecliff during Monday's sunset tour.

We spend a lot of time on the Hudson River and get a chance to see amazing wildlife out on the water. Throughout the season our guests have gotten to see many eagles during our tours, but during last night’s sunset tour we came across this pair of eagles with two young birds in one of the back bays along the river.

We sat and watched the birds for quite some time. They were curious and allowed us to view them from our kayaks. After sitting a while we paddled off in peace, leaving the birds to there roosting, heading back t0 Rhinecliff in the light of the setting sun. What a beautiful evening.

Join us, we will share the wonders of the Hudson River with you.

Riding the waves..

Sunday night on the Hudson River, after the wind began to settle for the evening.

Take a good September north wind,  an incoming tide and mix them together and what do you get? Some awesome wave action on the Hudson River. How much fun can you handle?

After making sure you have all your safety equipment. Which includes, but not limited to.. and in no particular order, blidge pump, paddle float, whistle, tow rope and PFD. Grab your favorite boat and paddle and head out with your buddy to ride and surf the waves.

An extra pair of eyes is always important to keep a lookout on boat traffic and barges traveling along in the river. Sunday evening’s wakes and wind got strong enough that a barge decided to wait out the waves along the western shore near Port Ewen.

If the waves to get to be too much, bail and head to the shoreline for calmer waters. Rest and give it a go again. Paddling in the rough water is quite a workout, so watch you don’t get too tired to paddle in after play time is over.

Remember, keep your balance in the boat, and in your head.

Rough day..

We all have them.

And today, as I pulled out of my garage and looked down at the rough waters in the Hudson River, I reflected on the day before.

Forgotten creamer, a stain on a shirt, someone in my parking spot. Rough day. Well, things continued as the day went on. I saw an impatient woman pull her SUV out into an intersection and got hit by a delivery truck. Luckily no injuries. Later I stopped for a stop sign and someone behind me got annoyed that I did. Wow.  We live in such an impatient world. That bothers me.

There is not much I can do about everyone else. But I can keep myself in check. Part of that is remaining steady and calm throughout the day. Treating myself and others well. And relaxing in the outdoors. Kayaking, cycling, or just walking in the woods. It keeps things in perspective, nature has way more power than anything else. It helps keep me humble.

So back to the rough day…. bring it on..

I want to get out on those waves in the river, to keep my balance.

Adirondacks..

The blue boat on the dock at Buck Pond State Park.

What more could you ask for? The Adirondack Park has some of the most incredible peaks and lakes on the east coast. They are not the biggest, but there is a lot to enjoy. And the great thing, they are so close to us. And, on this trip Edie, Sam and I got to kick back and relax as we set up camp at Buck Pond over the long weekend.

I have been going north to camp my whole life. My dad took me and my brothers to the Adirondacks ever since we were big enough to walk. We would go up for a week each summer, sometimes even longer. And, as I visited with my dad this evening, we chatted about some of our trips up to the north country. Hiking in the mountains, swimming and canoeing in the lakes and um.. the hide-be-hinds.

You don’t know about the hide-be-hinds? Well, they were my dad’s way of making sure three boys were frightened enough of the shadows in the trees to stay close to camp as the sunlight fades and the flickering flames of the campfire illuminates the woods. Apparently, these beasts hid behind the trees waiting for unsuspecting children to fall prey. This translated to some pretty scary trips to and from the bathroom in the campsite. After 40 some years, I think I may be finally getting over the night beasts. I do have to admit, we never wandered too far into the night woods.

Our trip lacked any of these beasts. But we did spot loons in the lake, heard eagles and owls in the woods and caught the spectacular stars in the northern skies. How relaxing.

I for one will remember.. its just a short drive. We are going back soon.