USS Slater Albany Waterfront Paddle

When you think about paddling in New York, you probably don’t think about the state capital, Albany. There’s good reason for that. There are many paddling destinations in the state that are more exciting, more challenging and more picturesque then the Hudson River along the Albany waterfront.

Albany boat launch

Why would anyone paddle Albany? Well, it’s there. Really, it’s right there. If you’re in Albany county, paddling the Hudson River is really convenient.

Recently, on a visit to see family, I brought Junior and my kayaks north with me. It had been a long time since I paddled this part of the river.

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Nyack Kayak and the Concrete Barge

It seems like anywhere I paddle around the metro area, I come across the remains of an abandoned boat. On the Rondout’s Creek in Kingston, in Piermont Marsh, the Middle Bay on Long Island, there’s always a long abandoned hulk, usually so old that the hull has been eaten to the water line. Sometimes all that’s left is an old V8 sticking out of the mud at low tide, watching the years go by as it slowly rusts to nothing.

Tappan Zee boat launch

One of the most baffling examples sits in the middle of “my zone” — the west shore of the Tappan Zee in Rockland County. Right in Nyack, yards away from the marina sits a deteriorating hunk of concrete in the unmistakable shape of a ship. I’ve always been intrigued by the wrecks I’ve encountered but this one fascinates me the most.

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Riding the Ridge in 2020

This past weekend would have been the 14th consecutive Ride the Ridge bike tour, an annual charity event for the High Meadow School in Stone Ridge, NY, which has become one of the premier rides in the Hudson Valley.

reservoir

It draws hundreds of cyclists from all over the region and beyond; including a couple of my favorite cycling (and ski) buddies who drive up from NJ and Philadelphia every year to carbo-load on pierogies and beer, and crash on my couches the night before the ride.

Events this year threw a wrench into the works of many group rides this season, and RTR has been postponed to October 3rd. Normally, we would wake at sunrise to be in Stone Ridge for the 8am start of the 50 mile ride.

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