Sunday, May 5, 2013


View Bayside Marina Queens in a larger map

Sadly an abortive paddle, but at least I managed to check out a couple of launches. The marine forecast said 5-10 knot winds , and when I left the Bronx, the winds were indeed mild. I headed for Fort Totten, an active Army base where there was purported to be an official NY Parks Kayak Launch.  Unfortunately no one had updated the website to tell would be paddlers that the launch had been demolished. Helpful FDNY men who were on the entrance gate, pointed me to another nearby launch; albeit with minimum directions.  Took a peak at  Googlemaps and headed to the other side of Little Neck Bay only to discover a nice little launch that was open only to residents of a nearly estate. Not wanting my car to be towed, I took the time to review the NY Water Trail website again and find the said nearby marina that was back on the other side of the bay. Not  great deal of distance was involved in all this mucking around, but by the time I found the Bayside Marina and got the kayak in there was a strong easterly blowing right across the bay making waves of around 18 inches. The paddle very wet with splashing water (again my new kayak showed itself less weatherly than my old one - and less stable) . There was one protected area in the lee of the marina dock, so I basically paddled around for half an hour to get a bit of a workout and then headed out of the water. I called my friend Lauren who lives close by, and she invited me around for tea and pancakes, so the trip was not a complete washout. A few pictures are included below. 








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