Along with Tom [TL], Sharon and Jackie -- we met up with a group representing CKC consisting of Cliff, Aaron and Nicole. We launched amide overcast skies onto the Adirondack's own Long Lake. Overcast skies soon drenched us with steady rain. Incredible to watch it approach across the water. It was quite a scramble for rain gear in the supply-laden canoes! Tom located a sandy beach to which we decided to camp and establish our "home" base. We set up camp between rain showers. Shelters via tarps went up, tents pitched and a roaring fire to warm the damp were priorities. Sharon, our head cook, prepared a hearty, delicious meal. Rains relinquished shortly before 2am and the sky was black with tons of magnificent, bright stars. Saturday brought blue sky, gorgeous weather. We were serenaded early by loons! Tom, Cliff, Aaron and Jackie paddled South to town beach. Lunched at the Adirondack Hotel and watched the competition being held on the beach. All sorts of kayak and canoe races for children to adults. Paddled back to camp against a strong head wind. Canoe needed the guidance of a tow to maintain Northerly direction. Feasted again, thanks to Sharon and watched a beautiful sunset...time for S'mores!!! Tom and Jackie paddled at sunrise (OK, a bit after sunrise!) to North end of Lake. Thick, heavy fog had eveloped the whole lake. Set GPS just in case....Fog eventually burned off and presented another absolutely gorgeous day. More loons, too! Nicole took some lessons on kayaking from Tom before enjoying a paddle North along the shoreline. Aaron, Nicole and Jackie went on short hike along Northville-Lake Placid trail in the afternoon. Huge ferns, a tiny toad and one snake were observed. We survived our bush-wacking and enjoyed another great meal. Tom, our fearless leader, fashioned a ceremonial torch from our "poking" stick and a downed birch to ignited our ceremonial "last fire". Quite the ceremony! Again the loons returned! Three loons made their way across our little bay heading further North.... We awaited the most beautiful sunset! Colors were rich and bright! We observed from our little beach all the glory! Back to our fire for more S'mores! Another beautiful, clear night full of bright stars! We broke camp early and headed back to launch for our journey South amidst a fog-enshrouded lake. There is nothing that compares to experiencing the great Adirondacks! Better yet, to be surrounded by a great group of friends to share it all!
Trip Leader/Cook Tom Galvin; report submitted by Jackie
What a wonderful weekend. Everyone's hard work (or stubborness) paid off. Roddy and Deb were great hosts, Jill did a great job keeping things organized and the ACA came through in the nick of time with the necessary insurance. Sharon, Cathy (first time camping!), Dick and Joanne, Fred (endless supply of incense), Jackie and our guest, April, rounded out the participants! Tents were pitched with magnificent views of the River. Food and refreshments were beyond plentiful. Conversation lively and informative. Paddled Saturday afternoon to Guinans in Garrison and then the brave decided to paddle through and back from "World's End." The waves had no organization, came in all directions at the same time...what a blast! We feasted Saturday night, finishing in time for the beautiful fireworks shot from West Point -- for which we had shore-side seating! Then the deerflies feasted on us! Back to a roaring bonfire. OK -- not roaring -- but warm campfire to toast marshmallows and eat ice cream! Thanks, Roddy! We were lulled to sleep by the passing trains and gentle lapping of the waves as they reached shore. Sunday brought a light breakfast, more conversation, breakdown of tents and planning of paddle. Paddled out of Foundry Park headed North towards Little Stony Point. Our group dissipated as we continued toward Bannerman's Island. Goal accomplished, we headed for refreshments at the Depot.
Great kayaking/camping + wonderful friends + cooperating weather = One awesome weekend! Lets do it again!
Paddlers: Paul (TL), Pat, Mary Anne, Mike, Larry
We set out from the launch near the Environmental Center at Margaret Lewis Norrie State Park under grey skies. There had been light drizzle earlier in the morning, but we encountered no precip during the trip. We paddled along the eastern shore of the Hudson and then around the lighthouse. There were volunteers working in the lighthouse that morning, renovating it for its next life as a B & B. The paddle back to the launch was with the tide. A lunch break on a beach gave us a chance to explore the riveredge trail and the old-growth hemlock forest and listen to the drumming and calls of a pileated woodpecker. It was a peaceful paddle on a quiet morning in a beautiful location.
Today we had five paddlers, Tom, Kathy, Pat, Tim, and Mandy, for the trip-leader training. James, our knowledgeable Vice Commodore, provided a 3.5 hour training session at White Pond.
On dry land, while waiting to start the course, the Frisbee came out for a toss. As everyone gathered, James showed us various rescue equipment and how to use them. He also reviewed some of our own equipment and made recommendations of what we could improve upon.
When all of our boats were in the water, we practiced towing techniques. Then it was all-in-the-water for self-rescue practice. Our fearless Commodore, leading by example, dove right in and was first to practice his skills.
It was a beautiful day to learn how to swim with your kayak. The sun was shining and the water a warm 70+ degrees. We had a great time. We ended the day practicing our balance skills by standing on the back of James' kayak while he tried to stay upright (he had no problem with this!) Then we raced back to the dock (James won!).
This training was really valuable in building kayaking-confidence and paddling abilities, plus it was fun!
Paddlers: Pat (TL), Tom, Kathy, Kevin, Paul, Mary Anne (guest)
The group of six hearty paddlers all agreed – it’s a great swamp! We launched from Patterson Environmental Park after an orientation to the Swamp from F.R.O.G.S Board member, Rick Saracelli. The birds were calling as we made out way along the meandering water trail under a cloudless sky and perfect temperatures (water: 70 F). The beavers in the Swamp are thriving – lots of signs of activity, and one swimmer spotted. We had to make our way over numerous dams, and did so with little difficulty since the water level is relatively high. It was interesting to note that as we moved south with the water flow, the vegetation in the forest around us was further along by several days to a week’s worth of growth. One paddler said it was like living a time-lapse photo.
The first half of the trip to the Route 22 overpass was the easy part. The second half required numerous portages over fallen trees that were just too large for Paul with his ever-handy tools to dispatch. The slippery mud banks and emerging poison ivy made the portages even more challenging. We emerged at the Green Chimneys beach filthy but happy 5 hours and 7 miles after our launch. A post-paddle refueling at the Putnam Diner concluded another successful CSKC outing.
Our advice to other would-be-swampers: don’t wear light blue slacks, bring lots of unflavored drinking water, and plan to launch and take-out from Green Chimneys unless mud is your thing!
Paddlers: Tom (TL), Kathy, Mandy
The Bashakill paddle was magnificent. The skies were blue, the water still & clear
as glass and the bird life teaming with activity. The regal resident Bald Eagle
posed in a convenient tree for all of us to admire. The eagle's nest with several
young ones hopping around was also a great treat. To round out the patriotic
scene: RED wing black birds, WHITE egrets and Blue herons also in attendance.
What a show! The osprey and wood ducks made a dramatic in-flight appearance
too.
Oh, there were some paddlers out on the water with all this wildlife! CSKC
members, Tom, Kathy and Mandy came out to play. The paddle was an hour north
in the waterway and an hour back south to the launching area. Lots of bird
watchers and people fishing too. A very knowledgeable special guest, Jim (a
published photographer) joined us. Jim is a resident near the Bashakill and
spends much time there in his canoe. He shared with us some of the history
(Bashakill used to be farmland was one of the many fun facts) and animal facts
of the area.
There was a cool phenomenon at the Bashakill that we don't often get to see.
Take a look at the photo which shows the tall reeds in the background. Looks
like a fence?(pic # 308) In fact those are bleach lines from the water level.
Just a week or two prior to our paddle, the water levels were much higher!
This was a neat visual effect which occured after the water level went down.
After the paddle, the group went to Danny's for burgers and fries. The conversation
centered around the bird book Jim shared with us but then took a turn from
nature topics to motorcycles and memories of Woodstock, providing a renewed
interest in learning more about the music festival now. It was a lovely day.