July 15th, 2016
Castleton on the Hudson, NY
Waiting out yesterday’s storm proved to be a good choice. I really liked the Waterford City Docks and met so many fellow boaters that it felt like home. Saying goodbye to my new and old friends, I hit the water. The weather turned very favorably today so it was a much better day to be paddling.
I was taking a leisurely paddle when I realized the Federal Lock was right in front of me and there was a line of boats waiting to get in. Suddenly, I saw them moving into the lock and I wasn’t close. I began paddling hard trying to catch up to them before they shut the door so I radioed the Lockmaster to let him know I was coming. I made it. Finally, I got to share a lock with some other boaters. One of them tossed me a bottle of water which I enjoyed while they lowered the Lock.
Running with an Ebb tide now, I was making some good time and before I knew it, Troy was behind me and I was closing in on Albany. I was showing a storm due in between 2pm and 3pm so I started looking for a place to camp early. No luck. The Albany Yacht club just told me to paddle further down, so I did.
Leaving the Capital area, I entered the Industrial Area. I began to get worried. There was no place for me to get out of the water. Lined by concrete and steel walls on one side and oil storage facilities on the other, I wondered how long it would be before I found a safe place to pull out if that storm hit. I’m not concerned with rain, but rather lightening. My Lightening Detector was silent so I was happy. Then the storm arrived. No lightening, but lots and lots of rain. Having no place to get out and get my rain gear I just got wet and continued to paddle.
Paddling through Troy and Albany was quite interesting. It’s an area I am very familiar with, but approaching it on the water was strange, strange and loud. I can’t believe how accustomed I’ve become to the quietness and solitude of the water. No, I don’t like the rain, but I love the water and the folks I keep meeting along the way. This is quite a wonderful journey.
Before too long, the rain passed along with a giant Tug running empty and I was scouting the riverbanks for someplace to pull out for the night. Suddenly, I saw a boat yard way up ahead and I was hoping it was the Castleton Boat Club, but I didn’t think I could have made it that far. I was paddling toward it when what I though was a fisherman on the Western shore shouted out – LARRY. I was certain he was talking to me as I was the only one out here so I paddled over.
There I met Larry Wally, a member of the Capital District Kayakers who has been following me since my start. He greeted me with a bottle of water and we decided to meet up at the town park just up ahead. It was such a nice surprise to see Larry. He had been hoping to paddle a bit with me, but the timing didn’t work out, but I am glad I got to meet him face to face. He tried to get me permission to camp at the town park but it was a no go, looks like Castleton Bost Club was my only hope. Saying good bye to my new friend, I headed out on the water under sweltering sun which was drying my soaking wet clothes.
I pulled up to Castleton Boat Club and the Dock master set me up with a nice spot and invited me into the Clubhouse. The members here are awesome, as I am finding with all boaters. They let me hang out inside to eat my dinner while the last storm of the night blew through outside. I am quite fortunate to keep finding such great people and one of the best tips I got was about the Hudson River Trail I am now in. It contains various spots to camp on State Land all the way down the Hudson. From what I was told, they tried to have campsites every ten to twenty miles. I’ve made a note of the campgrounds all the way through Croton Harmon.
Today marks two weeks I’ve been on the water. Only two weeks and it’s been an amazing trip so far. I understand I am about 140 mile from NYC Harbor. That means I should be in NYC in a week. If that is true, that feels very strange to me. I can still recall the awe of Lake Champlain and now here I am in the Hudson paddling through areas I grew up in.
Enjoy the pictures.
Day 14 done!
Larry, I left a comment on a different page as well, but after finding this day’s blog, I have to post again. In the small world category, my husband Rob tells me that he met you at Castleton Boat Club the afternoon you came in. I’m glad to hear we held up our motto as “the friendliest club on the river.” Had I known about your adventure, I would have made a point of being there as well. I look forward to following your adventures through to Key West (one of my favorite places in the world!) Marian- LHS Class of ’82
Yes, I saw that comment. Your clue was awesome and sitting here today, I long for the feeling, the serenity and joy I had on the northern part of the river and Lake Champlain. I am sure that feeling will come again, but it’s not with me today. Thank you for following along and I hope we get to meet in person in the future.