WAYNE NORMAN KAYAKS THE HUDSON RIVER

Well, sort of.  On May 24, 2009, Wayne paddled with a group from the Annsville Creek Paddlesport Center on the Hudson River, just north of Peekskill, NY.  Most of the paddle was up Annsville Creek and two other tributaries of the Hudson.

Looking out toward the Hudson from the Paddlesport Center, off Route 9.  Beyond the gazebo and the inlet pond are railroad tracks, which are used by Amtrak, Metro North, and freight trains.

Wildlife sightings included swans, turtles, birds and these large geese near the boat launch

Wearing his long-sleeved Windham High School shirt for sun protection, Wayne stands in front of the paddlesport center while others get set with their kayaks

To launch the kayaks, you get in and they just push you into the inlet pond.  The railroad tracks separate the pond from the Hudson River.

Boldly wearing his Red Sox hat (see emblem on the side) in enemy territory, Wayne paddles in the pond while others launch their kayaks

Paddling under the Route 9 bridge away from the Hudson and up Annsville Creek

We actually paddled up three different tributaries.  The first one dead-ended with a low bridge at high tide.

The Old Albany Road bridge was just high enough to paddle under

The river got narrower–and greener–as we paddled upstream

A sunbathing turtle on a log to the upper left of Wayne’s kayak

Two of the five-towered array for radio station WHUD

Our last dead end–that tree blocked further access upstream, or we’d still be paddling

Back in the large inlet pond, we head out to the Hudson.  The Amtrak is northbound.

Most of the day’s paddle was in smooth waters.  The Hudson was much choppier.  This is looking upriver toward Bear Mountain

Looking downstream on the Hudson River, with the Indian Point nuclear power plant in the center.