Kingsbury Lock 8 to Schuylerville
20.5 miles
6.3 hours
4 locks
Some days are close to perfect, even if one’s lower back
is screaming and the hands are blistering out.
Met up with life-long friend Bob at lock 7 – his beyond-wonderful
wife Tina ferried him, his boat, and PB&J’s to the water’s edge – and Bob
and I rowed in tandem and wing-to-wing for 15 miles to the Schuylerville Marina,
where we are sleeping in re-habbed shipping containers. Way cool, and
dry!
My daughter Katie arrived with granddaughters Rose and
Sylvie, and the 5 of us enjoyed a wonderful dinner at Amigos Cantina,
world-class fare a short walk from the river’s edge. If I were writing a dinner
review and not a rowing blog, I’d end this with 5 stars, plus! A great
place … thanks, Rob!
So … best friends, fantastic daughter, delightful
granddaughters, great food, and a warm, dry bed … the lower back may ebb and
flow, but a memory like today is timeless. I’m a lucky dude.
Tomorrow’s goal is to turn the corner at Waterford and
start to head west, at last. It will feel good to be making a wake in the
direction of my destination. I’ll have one more day with Bob as a most able
wing man, then solo again.
This stretch of the Hudson is sobering if one recalls the
PCB debacle and the untold sums and lives spent in the clean-up. The water here
is surprising clear, the shoreline and vistas are beautiful, the wildlife
abundant, and our nation’s history is everywhere in these parts. But the environmental
disaster that came from 30 years of PCB pollution still hangs over the river …
a stark reminder that preventing the ruin of our environment is far easier …
and more effective … than remediation, if restoration is even possible.
The stories of failure and success in environmental
stewardship are all around us. A treasure like Lake George is the best of
stories, if only we don’t love her to death. A story like Keuka Lake is
heartening; it shows what is possible through unity of purpose, compromise, and
bold action.
Xxoo, and to sleep.
Al exiting Lock 5
Loved seeing you guys and splitting some chocolate creme brulee with you! Outside of Sylvie's attempted flight from the restaurant, couldn't have asked for a more delightful evening. Godspeed and fingers crossed the rain holds off again for your journey today! xoxo
ReplyDeleteLove this, all of it. The man, the trip, the cause. Best of "lock" to you, dear Al. And yes, I'm putting my money where my mouth is... lol, happy to.
ReplyDeleteYour #1 gentle reader,
Tyler