Newark Riverfront Park Celebration

Today we joined in the Newark Riverfront Park dedication celebration.  This is an amazing new park that completes another section of riverfront park along the Passaic in Newark, They are nearing the downtown area and the park is right along Raymond Blvd. 

We had been asked to volunteer to help people learn how to paddle the kayaks they were borrowing from Essex County but when we got there we saw only canoes. It had also been raining had so they decided to cancel the paddling part of the event. This was disappointing but we went ahead paddling ourselves.

 As we were on our way to the Newark Bay just approaching the New Jersey Turnpike we received a phone call that they were launching the canoes and could we please come back.

 So we paddle back upstream as the tide also began to come in. We paddled passed the Red Bull Stadium, NJ Transit and PATH trains as well as alot of bird life. We saw Snowy Egrets, Great Blue Herons, Turkey Vultures, Seagulls, Cormorants and a number of other shore birds on the mud flats.

See the Path Train in the background

 A few of us patrolled the bridge above to keep the canoes from paddling up to Paterson. We enjoyed talking to a variety of people out for a little paddle in the canoes. While Rick stayed at the dock to help people and I stayed at the bridge Eric took the boys upstream to the railroad bridge. The tide turned quickly and really started moving upstream. By the time we were back driving up Rt. 21 home it was nearly full flood tide.

All in all it was a wonderful afternoon on the water and we were glad the Newark is also rediscovering the Passaic River. The program had a poem from Langston Hughes on the cover.

I've known rivers
I've known rivers ancient as the world and older than the flow of human blood in human veins.
My soul has grown deep like the rivers.
I bathed in the Euphrates when dawns were young.
I built my hut near the Congo and it lulled me to sleep.
I looked upon the Nile and raised pyramids above it.
I heard the singing of the Mississippi when Abe Lincoln went down to New Orleans, and I've seen 
    its muddy bosom turn all golden in the sunset.
I've known rivers: Ancient dusky river.
My soul has grown deep like the rivers. 
                   -Langston Hughes

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.

Paddling the Passaic

Last night we were out paddling again on the Passaic River. It was really still high from the rain but it gave the boys good experience with paddling against the current and finding eddies where there was less current. Brother Rick Rodriguez assisted Eric and I in supervising the boys in the higher current. We reviewed all of our safety protocols and headed out

 We paddled as far as we could upstream from the Elmwood Park launch toward the Route 4 bridge. The closer we got the stronger the current got. Finally about 100 yards from the bridge we turned around and went downstream. I would guess the current was at least 2 mph which meant we were going about 1 mph upstream and about 5 mph downstream. Everybody liked downstream better.  From the pictures you can see how high the water is. We celebrated the beauty of God's creation and the blessing of water to paddle, drink and bring life to our world.

Instructor Eric White

 We paddled downstream toward the Market Street Bridge and turned around before it while behind Lowes.  The current under the bridges got very vast since the river is the narrowest there. We pulled together into a float for a few minutes to talk and review safety procedures while we were tucked away in on of the eddies along shore. However soon the current caught us and downstream we went.

all together in a "float"

 We paddled for a shorter length of time and the boys practiced working together getting the kayaks cleaned and loaded in an efficient manner. Since they did so well we all went out for ice cream at Guernsey Crest Ice Cream. Yum Yum.

River of God School of Paddling

Last night we were out for the second time with our River of God School of Paddling. It was a beautiful night on the Passaic River. Due to all of the rain the river was up but our boys did a terrific job even paddling back upstream.

 We paddled downstream from the Elmwood Park launch to the Dundee Dam. On the way we met Rick Rodriguez and a friend who were out paddling. We met Rick last year on the river and have gotten to know each other well this past year.

 We paddled under the Route 80, Route 46 and Garden State Parkway Bridges. We saw two snowy egrets as well as some type of a hawk. There were also lots of ducks and geese around and an occasional turtle sunning itself on a log.

 A beautiful night on the river.