Enjoy the summer..

Camping from kayaks.

What have you been up to this summer? Are you having fun? We are!

Paddling a quiet cove.

We thought it would be a great time to share images from some of our recent tours. We have had so much fun sharing the beauty of the Hudson Valley with our clients.

Our river has so much to offer, quiet gentle mornings, challenging open water waves, and aspiring sunsets.

Our clients enjoying a sunset during a Tivoli Bay tour.

If you need a little more fun in your summer, give us a call. We can get you there.

Fun near the falls.

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Norrie Point launcher..

Norrie Point in Staatsburg.

The floating dock with launches at Norrie Point.

There are a lot a interesting put-ins for getting into area waterways. Wooden docks, rocks, muck, narrow trails through poison ivy, but by far, the coolest is the floating dock at Norrie Point in Staatsburg.  There are two ways to approach the water. Put your boat in next to the dock, or as I did, put the kayak in the slot and go for it. It is a fun way to get into the water. It has a gentle angle and with a little push at the same time, away you go.

Gulls sit on a rock near Norrie.

Norrie Point is a busy launch. There are slips for power and sailboats and the ramp usually has a line during the weekends. The kayak ramp keeps you away from the marina’s boat traffic. But be prepared to navigate near waverunners and large boats. Once you make your way out into the Hudson River you will find a beautiful view of the Catskill Mountains to the west. There is an island nearby to explore, but be careful not to get pushed into the rocks by power boat wakes.

Norrie Point is a great place for a picnic, lots of tables and grills and plenty of sights. If you are looking for a quiet getaway, you may want to save it for a early morning mid-week paddle.

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New page added..

Shetland ponies roam free.

Imagine this; you set up camp on the side of a one lane road near a dock, you cook your meal by the light of the setting sun at nearly 10pm and you are able to wake up to a pair of wild ponies.

We added a new page to our blog, News from Sam. Check it out! Just click the photo or the tab at the top of the page.

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Black Creek..

Blooms along Black Creek.

Do yourself a favor. Relax. Take the time for yourself and enjoy a late afternoon paddle at Black Creek. It is worth every minute.

Edie and I dropped our boats in the water at the bridge along Route 299 in Highland. We took the required equipment, ice coffee and bug spray. It turned out the bugs weren’t bad at all, but use care, the poison ivy is growing everywhere.

We started out and headed south. Lily pads and dragon flies lined the banks of the beautifully clear water. Even with depths of 6-8 feet  you could see the bottom.

We slowly made are way along the creek, admiring the abundance of plants and wildlife. Edie spotted a snapping turtle, a very large one at that. I kidded her, it must have been an old tire if it was as big as you say. We laughed then agreed, a very large turtle, honest.

Paddling south on Black Creek.

Moving along again, we came across two beaver lodges. The first was huge. We stopped, rafted up and broke out the coffee. What a treat on a warm afternoon.  We sat and chatted. Relaxed, leaned back and looked at the hawks flying high above our heads. Soaring with ease.

As we made our way further south the current became increasingly stronger as the water got more shallow. We scrapped the bottoms of our boats on the rocks as when we went under the rail trail overpass. We saw a couple fishing, nibbling bass but no fish caught. We made it only a little further before turning around.

Rafting up for an ice coffee break.

Once we turned around we had both the current and the wind with us. A little stern rudder was all we needed as  we drifted along. Making our way north we spotted what we think was an otter. Unfortunately I was a little slow on the draw with the camera. Maybe next time.

We passed the 299 put-in and continued north for a bit. The water was deeper and wider.  We did not travel too far before seeing a mom paddling with her daughter. They both looked as they were truly enjoying the afternoon. We headed back and pulled out the boats. Total time, about two and a half hours.  What a way to spend a sunny summer afternoon.

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Friday, before seven..

A heron on the Rondout Creek jetty.

I woke to my alarm and have begun to work on my list. What a difference a day can make. I will spare the words and share the photos. Enjoy the day!

Amazing coffee.

The sun rises in the eastern sky over the Hudson River on Friday.

The morning light changes quickly.

The herons are back in full force along the river.

Working on balance in the blue boat.

Picking up trash on the ramp in Rhinecliff.

I think this is a good start on my list. A good start for the day.

Herons circle the moon.

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What will you do tomorrow?

Sunrise, it happens every morning.

It’s late. It has been a tough day.

Please excuse the list, but here is my plan for tomorrow.

• Get up at sunrise and paddle on the Hudson River.
• Feel the early morning sun on my face and its warmth radiating in my body.
• Pick up some trash someone else left behind.
• Make some really good coffee that Edie has shared with me.
• Relax and be thankful.
• Go to the office, remember how it use to be, before the layoffs.
• Work hard, knowing everything I photograph is my own.
• Call a loved one.
• Thank a friend.
• Spend time with the woman I love.

Thanks for stopping by the blog. Take a minute and think about what you will do tomorrow, because every day counts.

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If you can see it..

A barge travels north on the Hudson River.

Edie and I have a saying, “if you can see it you can’t beat it”. The Hudson River is a large body of water and a commercial waterway. There is a lot of traffic. The barges, large ships, fishing boats, pleasure boats, and us, the paddlers. We need to be aware of our surroundings at all times, especially if we are near the channel. The large ships can not turn or slow down quickly, so it is our responsibility to stay out of their way.

When you cross, travel diagonally, it is easier to keep on eye on the boat traffic. Also, travel with a friend, it adds an extra pair of eyes.

Be safe out there, make wise decisions on the water.

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We can get you there..

Our new poster

Look carefully around Rhinebeck, Rhinecliff and Red Hook and you’ll see our colorful cards and posters.

Hudson Valley Kayak Tours can get you out on the water. We’ve booked several tours on this lovely Independence Day weekend, but we still have room for you. We’ll provide all equipment and instruction so you can experience the majestic Hudson and its quieter coves and waterways. What a blessing we have, right here in our own back yard. Join us.

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Sunsets..

A June sunset on a recent tour.

We would like to tell you that every evening we have beautiful sunsets like the one seen in this photo. But the hard truth is…we save them for our tours; this one was photographed during a tour this week.

Of course we can’t promise you sunsets everytime. But what we do offer is fun. And hopefully, if nature cooperates, you’ll see lots of amazing things out on the water. From great blue herons to eagles, from turtles to beaver, our majestic Hudson River has so much to offer.

So, keep your fingers crossed that the rain will stop. Drop us a line. Come have some fun with us out on the river.

Hudson Valley Kayak Tours

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