The Paddling Blog

Oswego River Kayak from Three Rivers Point

Posted on by Robert

200 years ago Three Rivers Point was one of the most happening spots in Central NY. Here the Oneida and Seneca Rivers form the Oswego river and flow north to Lake Ontario.

Three Rivers Point map

It was a prominent meeting spot for Native Americans and when the colonists arrived they made camp at the same location. An inn was soon erected and trade on the rivers expanded with salt mining operations on Cayuga and Seneca. The peak of Three Rivers Point rose and fell with the Erie Canal, and these days it’s a quaint park in the town of Clay.

The shores of Three River Point Park were lined with fisherman on a warm summer Saturday in mid-August.

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Tagged: Central NY, Paddling2 Comments

Paddling Lake Welch in Harriman State Park

Posted on by Brownski

Lake Welch in Harriman State Park is a frequent paddling spot for me. There are multiple reasons for that. It is right off of exit 14 on the Palisades Parkway, making it supremely accessible. It has a dedicated parking area for paddlers behind a locked gate so even on the park’s busiest days I am almost guaranteed to be able to find a spot. It’s big enough to get a modest workout and do a little exploring so I don’t get too bored with the scenery.

Lake Welch boat launch

All the lakes in Harriman are compromised as pure nature experiences. The place is just too popular and too close to the city to find true solitude.

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Tagged: Harriman, Paddling6 Comments

Piermont to Irvington by Kayak: Back in the Zone

Posted on by Brownski

Last week, I had an idea of driving up to Vermont for a day or two of spring at Killington. As I got to the actual planning stage though, I had second thoughts. Taking off would leave important chores undone and after a ton of windshield time for work and traveling up to Plattsburgh for graduation last week, I was not looking forward to hours of driving.

I made the decision to skip Superstar this year. I spent Saturday mowing grass and taking care of the yard. When I was done, I put some effort into organizing my garage, which had the added benefit of locating all my kayaking gear, PFDs, paddles, bilge pumps, everything.

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Tagged: Hudson Valley, Paddling3 Comments