Canada to Key West Paddle - Day 37

August 7^th 2016
Yorktown Heights, NY

I spent some time today reaching out to various boat, kayak and windsurfing clubs in New Jersey. With my inability to leave the kayak on the beaches here or in some cases, not even land legally, the only way I can see to get down to Manasquan Inlet some thirty miles to my south, is to make two or three coastline paddles down the beach and meet someone who can pull me and the kayak out and off the beach each night and then return me there the next morning, just like Arlene has been doing in New York harbor, though there they let me keep my kayak in the water.

If I could paddle 30 miles in a day, I could make it in one trip. The longest I think I’ve been able to accomplish with this heavy kayak is 20 with the wind on my back and tide in my favor. Running down the coastline now will be a bit harder as the tide will be trying to pull me out or push me in and won’t be running with me so I doubt I will be able to do more than ten to fifteen miles in a day. On top of this, I have to watch the weather and surf reports. The Atlantic surf can really kick up fast, as it did the other day to me.

This section of the expedition has always been my biggest fear and I know I am letting too much in right now. While an appropriate amount of fear is good, too much can paralyze you and I do feel paralyzed. I am dreaming of the days back on the Upper Hudson and Lake Champlain and hoping to find that peace and tranquility again once I am off the coastline.

I’ve had a few friends in New Jersey reach out to me now and hopefully I’ll have a plan and re-launch date very soon. In the meantime, I’m helping Arlene pack up her house, as she is moving. Can you believe that? Amid all the running around she is doing for me plus working – she’s a Real Estate Broker, she’s also moving too.

There was a bright side to my reaching New Jersey that got overshadowed that day. I’ve officially paddled the entire length of New York State. These stats are approximate, as I don’t paddle straight lines, but it’s close enough.

Screen Shot 2016-08-07 at 10.50.26 PM Lake Champlain – 112 miles
Champlain Canal – 25 miles
Hudson River – 215 miles
Lower Bay Crossing – 8.5 miles.