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

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.

Early Black River

I have been NEEDING to get back on the water in the worst way.  For some reason, the winter was long for me and I had Spring fever early.  I had a little time, and the weather wasn't too bad, so I decided to get on the Black River from Pleasant Hill Road and paddle upstream as far as I could.  I managed to get further this time than I did last time I tried this section as there was more water on the river.  I made it almost to the water treatment plant, turned around and came back.  It was a twisty turny river that seems clean and shallow.  I stopped off for a bit to just relax and then paddle the rest of the day.  It was really nice to get out.

Columbia Lake into Paulinskill River

Today was a PERFECT weather day for paddling.  The weather was clear, crisp and calm.  I had been wanting to paddle Columbia Lake and today I decided it was my destination of choice.  I'm really glad I did. First of all, I was alone at the lake which is always a big plus. When you first put in at the launch, the water is covered in lily pads with only a narrow channel to paddle into the lake.  We haven't had any rain so the water was really shallow, even in the lake.  My first impression, other than the Route 80 noise, was the beautiful flowers that seemed to be everywhere.  I paddled to the backside of the lake and then upstream into the Paulinskill.  As all of the trip, it was beautiful the entire way upstream.  It was scratchy at some points and hard to paddle up, but there was enough water for me to float down afterwards.  I just had to make sure to pick the right channels.  This is a place I will come back to.  Here are some pictures
Columbia Lake in Pictures
Here is the route I took
Map of Columbia Lake Route

The musky on canoe this time...

It was a lazy summer Sunday afternoon.  I wanted to get away for a bit and canoeing seemed like the perfect choice.  It was quite warm but also pretty windy.  I figured that it would be tough going on the canoe but i didn't care.  I headed over to the Musconetcong River and put in.  Almost immediately I was passed by two paddlers in a canoe and then I shortly thereafter came upon a whole lot of kayakers going downstream.  The rest of the way was quiet and beautiful.  Here is a video of some pictures I took.


Musky in a canoe