Paddling with Mayor Jones

Sunday night we hosted Mayor Jeff Jones and Mr. Eric Lowe in a kayak paddle around the city of Paterson. Pastor John A Algera, Esley Tate and Rick Rodriguez provided the equipement and support for the Mayor to experience the river firsthand. 

 We launched in the "Valley of the Rocks" behind Hinchliffe Stadium near the base of the Great Falls.  We began with prayer and reflection on Psalm 46:4 "There is a river whose streams make glad the city of God: God is in the midst of her."  We recognize that our city exists because of the Passaic River and God is in our midst as well. We also now celebrate the Great Falls National Historic Park that exists in this area. It is our hope and prayer that many will be able to enjoy the river this way in the future.

Mayor Jones going under the West Broadway bridge

There are some wonrdeful rapids and fast water between the falls and Arch St. We all got a little wet. Here we are in the rapids right below West Broadway.

Mayor Jones kayaking the Passaic River

Mayor Jones & Esley Tate

Eric Lowe and Rick Rodriguez were paddling in a double. We had several Great Blue Herons flying by us and a large carpe that almost jumped in their boat.  Healthy bird and fish life has returned to the Passaic River and we passed a number of people fishing. It our responsibility to continue to care for it and not abuse it as our ancestors did. Many of the problems of the river today come from generations ago.

Approaching one of the railroad bridges

 As we approached the Fair Lawn Ave. Bridge we crossed the Fish Wier. This is a large V of rock in the river that was constructed by the Lenni Lenape Indians well over 200 years ago. The rocks would let the water through but keep the fish back up in a bit of a pool of water. Then they could spear or net them. Its amazing to paddle over this piece of living history. For an article on this press HERE.

We had a wonderful afternoon of paddling and thanked our Lord Jesus for a safe trip and the beauty of God's creation for us.

Paddling Pompton Lake

Saturday we went up to Pompton Lake. This is the first time we have paddled there as a group. There is a beautiful public launch right at the end of the street where Colin and Pam Barrett live. Colin and Pam joined us for this paddle.

Its a beautiful paddle north through the lake and then into the channel of the end of the Ramapo River. Basically the Ramapo River ends in Pompton Lake and below the Pompton Lake Dam/Falls the Pompton River begins. This falls now has flood control gates installed and operated by the Army Corp of Engineers. They are now able to release water from the lake that prevents flooding along the Ramapo River but creates flooding downstream, including in Paterson. When we encroach on the rivers flood plain the water still needs someplace to go. 

A Swan family.

 When we got to the small lake below a 1 ft. Dam on the Ramapo river the boys enjoyed a swim on a very hot day. We then portaged over the Dam and paddled up the lower Ramapo River almost up to the old Skyline Drive Bridge.  As we can to a riffle below a railroad bridge we tried to paddle upstream through the rapids. Its amazing once you have momentum and with fast paddling what you can go through. But this riffle was still a little to fast but everyone had fun trying

Colin and Eric trying to get through the rapids

As we turned around we paused for a time of thanksgiving for the gifts of God we had experienced on the water. We stopped to pray and give God glory for the beauty of His creation for us to take care of and enjoy.

Paddling the Norwalk Islands - Long Island Sound

Today I met Jim, Rico, Bill and Dave in Norwalk CT. This is only one hour from home and amazing water on the Long Island Sound. We put in at the end of 2nd Street where Jim had found a small boat access area. This saved paying the parking fee at the beach and gave us a view of the harbor. 

Rico in his Chesapeake Light Craft "Chesapeake 17'" that he built.

 It was just beautiful out on the water. We paddled east to Cockenoe Island where we stopped for lunch. This is the area that I paddled last September in the "Lighthouse to Lighthouse" race.

Bill and Dave

stopped at Cockenoe Island

 We then paddled west along the islands to Sheffield Island where this stone lighthouse stands

 We continued on to the Green Ledge Lighthouse. The water, wind and overall conditions were just beautiful.

Jim by the Green Ledge Lighthouse

the whole crew

From the lighthouse we paddled back around the inside of islands and then back into the LI Sound to Shea Island.  We stopped on a sandy beach where the other four were camping for the night. We enjoyed meeting some other people and the amazing beauty of the day. Around 5 p.m. I paddled back to the launch and headed home.

A copy of the video that Rico made can be viewed HERE

Paddling the Monksville Reservior

A week ago Sunday we paddled the Monksville Reservoir. We began practicing "tipping" with each boy tipped over in his kayak to practice getting out and floating in his life jacket. We paddled to the little island and since it was a warm day the boys enjoyed some swimming as well. 

It was Wilners first day out and he did great

Swimming to the big rock

Standing, BUT NO jumping..... the water felt good

on the way back across the widest part of the reservoir. Thats the dam in the background.