GHRP

Organizing the trip took a lot of coordination on land and on the water.  Steering committee members formed an essential safety coordination team headed by Kenneth Allen and assisted by Scott Keller, Jack Gilman and Barney Molloy.  There was no way we could have done the event without the safety coordinators who checked the weather predictions and conditions daily and planned accordingly.  Others were appointed and served as leaders and guides along the way.  The safety of the gear and equipment had to be checked before making the trip.  There were challenges on the water, keeping everyone on schedule, together and out of the shipping channel.

On land there was a lot to juggle.  Mack McPherson, boat builder and graphic artist (who designed the GHRP logo and letterhead) from Albany helped to arrange the kick-off day in Albany together with Albany outfitter Rich Macha from Adirondack Paddle n Pole, who coordinated a rescue and roll demonstration. As an environmental educator I was interested in possible educational opportunities for the GHRP. Alan Mapes from the DEC arranged for educational exhibits about the Hudson River at some of the stops along the way.  Our first stop from Albany was in Bethlehem where DEC staff exhibited their long map of the Hudson, and brought examples and publications on the flora and fauna of the Hudson.

maker Chuck Newland from Slingerlands.  The Governor had come to the event saying that he would catch up with us sometime over the course of the event, but would not be able to paddle for the kick-off.  Then he stood in front of Chuck’s canoe and changed his mind, took off his jacket and socks and climbed in as we all cheered…After he left and we all sounded our horns to bid our farewell, Chuck got into another one of his creations, a beautiful strip kayak. When looking at the nautical mileage, the idea was that we would be on the water from four to six hours a day.

The first night we stayed in New Baltimore, which was located 11.5 nautical miles from Albany on the west side of the Hudson.  (The longest day was over 17.5 nm). There the New Baltimore Conservancy and the Town of New Baltimore hosted us. Townspeople were waiting for us when we approached and gave us a warm welcome.  In the tradition of the Pennsylvania sojourns, they had gone all out to give us a great meal and show us a good time!  After a wonderful supper at a private home, we sat around a fire at our campsite while local kids played hide and seek.  The next morning we were greeted by a number of people who brought us home-baked food for breakfast.  We were all moved by the hospitality.  Some wanted to move to New Baltimore.  Some didn’t want to leave.

The next afternoon more thunderstorms and hail were predicted so we left at first light and paddled against the current.  It was a struggle for some of us.  Kathy paddled in her pack boat with no problem.  Tim, solo in his strip canoe, had a more difficult time, but kept up.  Peg and Doug made it along in their Adirondack Guide Boat.  The rest of us were in Kayaks. We arrived at Saugerties Lighthouse in the afternoon nine hours after we had left the Preserve.  There was more lightening and thunder, but we had gotten out before it struck.  After the storm settled we were astounded by a gorgeous sunset in the most beautiful setting from the lighthouse.  The next day we were blessed by gentle rolling waves that sped us in the direction we were going, crossing the river for the first and last time on the trip along the shallow Esopus Meadows.

That fourth day we headed towards Mills Norrie Point State Park.  It was a great location next to the river with a gazebo and fireplace around which we all told our stories of how why we joined the paddle.  The next day we went to Wappinger Falls, with a stop in Poughkeepsie hosted by Scenic Hudson, a sponsor and Clearwater, a partner in the GHRP.  The waves and wind against us were too much for the driver of the hydro-bike who had joined us at Norrie and then a Grumman canoe at Poughkeepsie, both, which had to be towed by our support sailboat, the KLANG II.