Hackensack - Fairleigh Dickenson University - River's Edge Oct 30th 2011

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After four inches of snow and no power for 24 hours, it seemed like a good idea to get out of the place. Despite the 10 flights of stairs to return, it still seemed like a good idea. 

After such a storm yesterday, today was beautiful. Sunny and clear, with a light  of wind from the north and pretty cold ( 47F). I was well insulated, but must remember to break out the toe warmers next time I go out in the cold. 

Have been on this stretch before, but not in the fall, and not after a snow storm. 

Schuykill River -Philadelphia Oct 22nd .

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My second day in Pennsylvania, and I headed into Philly. I launched at the boat ramp as the rowing clubs  (crew)  of the city were gearing up for a regatta.  There was a great variety of boats;eights, fours, pairs and singles, all warning up for races later in the morning. I haven't ever seen this sport up close and I had a good chance to observe it as team after team rowed by me. 

Bridges, bridges, bridges.

The paddle was excellent. With the foliage turning and the many bridges, it was a very attractive paddle.

One of the many sculptures along the riverside park 

 I must definitely go back and paddle downstream as far as I can go. There was still much to be seem . Likewise upstream there is a tributary and a couple more miles of river before the next dam. 

Philadelphia skyline 

Great Blue Heron checking gout the Canada Geese

A fish  made from plastic bottles

A most beautiful Wood Duck, the first one I have seen 

Red eared slider

Schuykill River -Phoenixville PA Friday Oct. 21st.

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Had the day off Friday, so I headed out to  for the Schuykill River in  PA.  Did a reconnoiter from Phoenixville to Valley Forge and decided to put in at Phoenixville. 

Boat Ramp at Phoenixville

Paddled upstream a ways, past Black Rock Tunnel, the  Water Works and the Cromby Generating Station. 
 There was a pretty strong current, so I had had a slow trip, but a good workout. 

Phoenixville Water Works 

Phoenixville Water Works

Cromby Generating Station 

Back at the boat ramp 

Checked out Fiztwater Station, a pub on the banks of  the  Schuykill Canal, another worthy paddling destination . 

Millstone River NJ Oct. 16th 2011

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The Millstone obviously reached a high level during the recent floods, there was debris  hanging from trees and way up on the banks. The River as running pretty fast, but was fine for paddling upstream, until I reached the Millstone bridge. There was so much debris under the bridge, I passage was restricted to one very fast flowing channel. Despite my best efforts I was padding furiously , yet was completely stationary in the water. At that point I turned around and headed back to the Weston causeway. Little action on the river. Saw one guy fishing- no bites. I saw a kingfisher, no mammals and one turtle.  I did find a bodiless head (polystyrene that is). . All in all though a good , but short day out. 

Housatonic River Massachusetts Oct 9th 2011

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Had a wonderful paddle on a short stretch of the Housatonic River. We got up early, and my buddy Sully dropped  me off (he went off to Cranwell to play golf) at New Lenox Rd.  The launch, below, was  a little muddy , but to be expected after the significant drop in river level following recent heavy rains.  It was a beautiful morning, cold (41 F/ 7 C), with a light lifting fog over the river. It was one of those clear, crisp mornings which fills me with the absolute joy of being alive.  Getting onto  the river only intensified this feeling. 

Boat ramp in foreground 

With the fall foliage at its peak in this area, the scenery on the banks and the surrounding mountains was  beautiful.

For an Australian, from a land of  'no deciduous trees' , every bit of color is a real treat. 

Pulled up along the way  to find this cute track  alongside the river.  

I only saw one other group of people on the river, a bunch of three canoeists fiercely paddling and talking. They whipped past me, and a while later they passed me going the other way. Clearly out for the fitness benefit as opposed to the peaceful, easy feeling side of things.

Egret

Very little wildlife- No mammals, and not too many birds, but this egret was having a fine time preening.
Saw one carp ( drat it all- they are everywhere)

Stonework on the Lenox Station footbridge

Footbridge at the take out point 

Looking back upstream to Woods Pond

The end of the road and time to turn around..

Floating dock at the take out

I didn't realize that there was a Berkshires historic railway at Lenox, but I was unloading my gear, I saw the old loco pull in with a bunch of old carriages filed with rail buffs.  

A nice site for a railway station eh? Woods Pond in the background.