Kayaker1

The Morris Canal

2007-04-26T14:00:00.000-05:00

As a child, I grew up near the old bed of the Morris Canal here in NJ. The canal was built in the early 1800's to transport coal from Pennsylvania to the New York area. The western part of the canal started in Philipsburgh and ended in Jersey City, NJ. Through a series of locks and inclined planes, it traversed the mountainous northern portion of NJ.

I became interested in the canal years ago. Bits and pieces of it are still relatively intact. Most of it though has been filled in, the right of way has been taken up by roads and rail. My office is actually located on top of the canal. A sanitary sewer line runs below us, on the bed of the old canal.

The state has put up signs along the route of the canal with a brief description and points of interest.

Fact sheet can be found here...

http://www.canalsocietynj.org/morrisfact1.pdf

and more detailed info and old photos here...

http://www.canalsocietynj.org/

Keeping a camera handy

2007-04-20T18:58:00.000-05:00

Made a few calls today, work related. Being a beautiful sunny day, first one in over a week, I decided to stop in a nearby park and go for a little walk around a small lake. Saw a bunch of turtles sunning themselves, the usual Canadian Geese and a few ducks. All of a sudden a White Egret comes flying over the lake, having been distrubed by something and lands close by. Had the camera with me and a 300 mm lens. Took about 50 shots. Actually caught him catching a fish and swallowing it whole, lump in throat and all.

Great Falls of Paterson, NJ

2007-04-17T14:47:00.000-05:00

Aside from being the birthplace of Lou Costello, Paterson is more importantly known as the birthplace of the industrial revolution in the United States.

More of my photos here... http://tinyurl.com/yoat57

From www.patersonhistory.com ...

"In 1792, Alexander Hamilton formed an investment group called the Society of Useful Manufactures (the "SUM") whose funds would be used to develop a planned industrial city in the United States that was later to become Paterson. Hamilton believed that the United States needed to reduce its dependence on foreign goods and should instead develop its own industries.
The industries developed in Paterson were powered by the 77-foot high Great Falls of the Passaic, and a system of water raceways that harnessed the power of the falls. The district originally included dozens of mill buildings and other manufacturing structures associated with the textile industry and later, the firearms, silk, and railroad locomotive manufacturing industries. In the latter half of the 1800's, silk production became the dominant industry and formed the basis of Paterson's most prosperous period, earning it the nickname "Silk City." Paterson was also the site of historic labor unrest that focused on anti-child labor legislation, safety in the workplace, a minimum wage, and reasonable working hours."

More detailed information about the history of the Great Falls and the surrounding area can be found here...

Proceed to this site.

A little known gem

2007-04-13T09:31:00.000-05:00

So often we drive a long distance to paddle. Yet if we look closely, quite often there is a place to paddle that the general consenses of the population would think you're crazy. I have such a place minutes from my home in Northern NJ. This body of water, at one time, has been labeled the most polluted river in the nation. Yet time and stricter pollution standards has healed it, if not completely, this much maligned river. The river is known as the Passaic. It courses through the Northern part of NJ in a 90 mile circuitous route until it finally reaches Newark Bay.

Downstream of Paterson, NJ and the Dundee Dam, the river makes it's way through an industrial area that once contributed to the pollution. To this day, the sediments are considered extremely toxic. The water quality has improved substantially in this stretch of the river, but has a long way to go. The fish are back, but cannot be consumed.

The Passaic River has two water falls. The smaller one at Little Falls, NJ and the larger one named the Great Falls in Paterson, NJ. The Great Falls area saw the birth of the industrial age in the United States. It is the largest waterfall on the East coast.

Upstream of Little Falls, the river flows wide and slow. It meanders through the towns of Singac, Fairfield,Wayne and Montville and then further into Morris County. The most Northerly route of the Passaic takes it through Great Piece Meadows. This area is a wooded low lying forest of various hardwood trees.

Earlier this week, I took advantage of a nice day and decided to paddle upstream from Little Falls into Great Piece Meadows, a distance of approximately 8 miles. I titled this post "A little known gem", and I did because the river is under utilized. I've only seen other paddlers or other boats a few times. Most of the time, I'm completely alone on the river, aside from ducks, geese and a variety of wading birds. I've seen deer, racoons, muskrats, turkeys and a host of smaller birds.

From Little Falls, the river passes through a residential area on both banks of the river. There are a series of bridges that carry the traffic of Routes 23, 46 and I80. Once past these bridges, the river flows through Great Piece Meadows. Here the tenor of the river changes dramatically. Gone are the houses, gone is the noise of the cars and trucks, making their way to their appointed rounds. All that is left is the river, the trees and the sound of birds and the honking of disturbed geese. This is the gem. A remarkably isolated area less than 20 miles from New York City. Some 3000 acres of wooded bottomland and a river flowing through it.

This time of year, it may not be the prettiest place to paddle, but it's a short 10 minute ride from my house to the put in. My four hours of paddling took me 16 miles. Half of it within the confines of Great Piece Meadow. A gem!

Paddled today!

2007-04-08T20:42:00.000-05:00

Maybe it wasn't the best choice of days. It was cold and windy. I arrived at a large lake here in NJ, one that I paddle frequently. Took the kayak off the roof, changed into my paddling attire for cold weather and cold water. Drysuit liner, fleece socks, fleece top and then my dry suit. Put on my Chota's and was ready to go. As I was about to get in, someone pulls up in a car and tells me the flashing light is on. Flashing light on this lake indicates high winds and all boaters off the lake.

So I get back in the car, hoping the alert will end. No dice! I start thinking of alternatives, remember that there is another large lake nearby with more sheltered waters. So I load the boat back on the car and drive 20 minutes to get to the other lake. Looks good!

Unload the boat, park my car and off I go in the midst of a snow shower. Paddled for about 2 hours, staying as much as possible out of the wind.

It felt good to be back in the boat again. Several months ago I underwent surgery for a hernia, which limited my paddling. Looking forward to warmer weather and calmer winds.

Photography

2007-04-03T14:04:00.000-05:00

Last year I purchased a Digital SLR. Because of its capabilities, it's allowed me to take photo's and record activities that would be difficult to take with a typical point and shoot camera. I've been fortunate enough to have been published in a well known outdoor magazine.

In particular, I've taken many photo's of birds, and other animals found in a suburban environment.

They can be seen here. It is one of the most viewed albums I have and one that I still add photo's to on a regular basis.

http://outdoors.webshots.com/album/226687202JiXtTW