Day off paddle on the Musky

The weather was outstanding today so I took the day off.  I started the day by brewing a batch of beer; my own porter recipe which I'm excited to try when it's done.  After that I went to the Musconetcong River near my house to do a small paddle.  It was a slightly overcast day, still sunny and almost 70 degrees.  It was gorgeous.  I forgot how much I loved this part of the Musky.  Although there was no foliage coming in here either it was beautiful.  Parts of it was so peaceful I could have fallen asleep right in my boat.  The only downside to this part of the river is that it runs parallel in some spots to the Waterloo Road and you can hear cars driving by.  I paddled my way up from the old house put in to the rocky slope put in.  There were two guys fishing there so I turned around and went back.  The ride back was a lot...a LOT harder than the ride there.  It had gotten so freaking windy I could barely keep myself straight.  There were parts where I was literally blown backwards and didn't know if I could get back to the launch.  That notwithstanding, it was gorgeous and a fantastic day on the water.  A great way to end my day off.

Windy day on the Passaic

I finally had it in my mind to get out and paddle.  Not a short little jaunt on the Black River like last time but a nice paddle.  The weather was supposed to be nice but, as it turns out, it was clear but windy as anything!  The last time I paddled this stretch of the Passaic River (from Columbia Turnpike/South Orange Ave in Florham Park to Passaic Avenue in Short Hills) it was windy as hell.  That was my first paddle with my canoe if I remember correctly.  This time, I had a little more experience under my belt.  It was a great time.  I took my time and just really enjoyed the trip.  The foliage hasn't started to come in yet so everything was still gray and muddy but it was nice.  At one point, at a blow down I had to go around, I decided to break out my hammock and take a snooze.  I got it all set up, started to drift off and just then, ATV riders came riding by.  I freaking HATE ATV's!   All in all, a wonderful day paddling.