The Scratchy Rockaway

I met up with the club and headed out for the annual Memorial Day, Rockaway River paddle.  We started just below the falls in Rockaway, near the Firehouse, and paddled all the way to the falls in Boonton.  We met up at 9 and started the shuttle.  We were on the river close to 10:15 or so and right from the put-in it was a challenge to get on water.  The levels were so low from lack of rain.  We scraped our way down the river until we took out for lunch in Denville.  After lunch we continued on where the water got slower and fuller.  It must be from the falls backing the water up.  The weather was fantastic and we really enjoyed the trip.

Here is a video: Rockaway River trip

Wallkill River

What a beautiful day for a paddle.  I had done the Wallkill River once before but it was in really early Spring and everything was still dead.  Although the water level was quite low, the green Wallkill is gorgeous. We met at the diner at 9 and by the time we did the shuttle, we didn't get into the water until about 10:30.  Once on, it was a beautiful paddle.  We stopped at the old bridge (which isn't there anymore) and had a nice relaxing lunch before heading back out.  We stopped to play at the one "rapid" spot where I tried my hand at surfing.  I did manage to grab it once.  The other thing I noticed was that my boat is SLOW.  I had to constantly fight to keep up. All in all, a fantastic day!

Here is a video I made from the trip.
Wallkill Video