Kayaking on the Delaware

[Jay H]

After all this climbing of mountains and hiking, it was nice to be able to get back on the water, if only for a short trip. Of course, the super humidity and opressive heat made the kayak just more enticing...

Snowshoe and I went for a short kayak trip on the delaware river from Milford, NY down to NJ, past the tri-state marker (NY/NJ/PA). Here are some pictures:

http://community.webshots.com/album/423822297gAvNLi

The bald eagle was just a short way into the trip and strangely enough was simply standing on a sand/rock bar in the middle of the river... But it was a nice appearence.

Jay

 

[Artex]

Nice spotting of the bald eagle! Nice pics. I've rafted down that river quite a few times when I used to live near NYC. Beautiful area.

 

[MattC]

Nice pics, Jay. Sharp eye spotting the eagle.
Makes me wish I could afford a kayak. I forgot to tell you on the phone-I did just enter a contest to win an inflatable. Hey, you never know!

Matt

 

[Jay H]

Artex: Thanks, Snowshoe says that section is kind of common for bald eagles. Also, further north in Sullivan county is the Rio Reservoir and that has a whole bunch of land that is off-limits to nesting eagles, but I've never paddled there during prime eagle spotting season though. Also, in the catskills, the Rondout Res has designated viewing spots and recently there was supposedly a breeding pair on the Ashoken.

Actually Matt, you need to register to paddling.net, they have entries to win kayak/canoe often that you can register every day for. I've been doing that for awhile.

I did win a hefty discount off a CF bent shaft paddle from a store in the ADKs before but haven't won the p.net raffle. There's a lot of folks on p.net!

Jay

 

[Rick]

Jay & Sean, I am moving back to the PA/NJ border soon and would love to paddle the Delaware with you next year. I have paddled from Dingman's to I-80 several times, but would like to paddle the are further north.

 

[snowshoe]

Rick
Let me know when you move back to the NJ/PA area. Any idea what part. There are a few nice houses for sale on Deckertown. Very close to the AT and great views. The Delaware is a great river to paddle. I have done from Narowsburg NY to the Gap. The Upper is best if you like more ripples.

 

[Rick]

Sean,
Hope your little one is doing fine - She must be about 15 months now?

We bought another house in Hellertown and will be moving there by the end of August (we couldn't afford the taxes in NJ ). I just underwent aortic valve replacement surgery 4 weeks ago, but am recovering just fine. I should be able to start paddling (and hiking) when the snow hits the ground, so that rules out paddling till next spring.

However, it gives me plenty of time to start running and working out again and really get back in shape and lose the weight I put on over the last 2 years while I was on all those heart medications, which I will soon be off completely. (I couldn't run anymore because old valve was leaking too badly. and it would only cause further damage.)

Anyways, I would love to get out and snowshoe with you over the winter, Our new place is about an easy hour away from you (or NWNJ), and then get some paddling in the spring.
I'll keep you posted
Cheers
Rick

 

[Jay H]

Rick, cool beans... Just hope the delaware doesn't go through another Hurrican Ivan...

Maybe we can get together and paddle the walkill again, if we ever get more rains. The delaware in sections was really shallow!

Jay

 

[Rob S]

Jay, great pics as usual.

Shawn, my sister may be looking into buying in Sussex County. I'll let her husband (who is a realtor) know about the homes on Deckertown. Also, I've paddled (canoe) most of the Delaware from Phillipsburg all the way to about Dingmans, but very little north of there. I've done some paddling (and fishing) on the East branch of the Delaware (farther north) between Hancock and Deposit, but nothing where you and Jay went. Maybe next time I'll join ya'll.

Rick, I recall on another thread you mentioned about possibly moving back. Yeah, taxes are high in NJ, but they are actually very low in Blairstown. I pay less taxes now for a 3-bedroom home on 2 acres than I did for a 2-bedroom condo in Hackettstown. But I guess the deal is done and you will be moving to PA. It's all good, tho, and you are already very familiar with that area. Let me know when you are settled and ready to hike. I've been wanting to section hike more of the AT in PA. I've already done from the Water Gap to Indiantown Gap, but I would very much like to re-do the Lehigh Gap and that very bizzare section of AT on top. Last time I was there, I was like 14 years old in the Boy Scouts and I don't have any pics.

Matt, I have been considering purchasing a kayak for awhile now, too. Not sure how much you can afford, but sometimes the sales at Ramsey's Outdoor seem pretty good. If/when I decide to purchase, I was hoping to have someone with me who can offer advice. Any takers?

 

[Rick]

12climbup,
After my first surgery, I used to climb the lehigh gap out of palmerton to get back in shape, I will probably be doing it again after Mid-October. hile I have already section-hiked most of the AT in PA twice, I will be up for any adventure that gets me outdoors and we can easily spot cars to complete sections - It be great to be hiking with other VFTTers.

Once we get settled, I will PM you with my new contact information (Shawn and Jay also) and we can set up some hikes and paddles.
I am really looking forward to it.

Thanks
Rick

 

[Jay H]

Rob, Both Ramsey Outdoor store and Campmor have an OK kayak selection. What IS good is Jersey Paddle in Brick, they are a true paddling store and a pretty cool place to boot.

They do a paddlesport show at the Jersey expo center in Somerset NJ (around exit 10 off I-287) in March every year and they have a TON of mfgrs come and you can browse and stuff. I bought my Impex there but they have the majors from Perception to Dagger to smaller niche 'glass boat makers like Impex, P&H to Wilderness Systems, Old Town, etc. etc.

Rob, have you gone to Crystal Lake yet (Friday the 13th)... Seeing that you are by blairstown...

Jay
Jay

 

[Rob S]

Jersey Paddle in Brick, they are a true paddling store and a pretty cool place to boot. They do a paddlesport show at the Jersey expo center in Somerset NJ (around exit 10 off I-287) in March every year and they have a TON of mfgrs come and you can browse and stuff. I bought my Impex there but they have the majors from Perception to Dagger to smaller niche 'glass boat makers like Impex, P&H to Wilderness Systems, Old Town, etc. etc.

I'll have to check that out for sure. I may be calling you for advice ...

Rob, have you gone to Crystal Lake yet (Friday the 13th)... Seeing that you are by blairstown...

Back in my long hair, druggy, drinkin' days, we used to party at Camp Nobebosco (the real name). I used to play in a band with a guy whose father managed the camp. I believe Crystal Lake is really called Sand Pond. Ah, the good ole days.

 

[PhillyGeo]

I'll be watching this thread ...

I live in Yardley (PA) & have been interested in kayaking.

 

[ExploreTheEast]

Camp Nobebosco, Jay you just brought me back to my Boy Scout days. We'd go up there once a year, and you'd always have at LEAST one guy with a hockey mask running around from cabin to cabin in the dark! That was GREAT!

Just another plug for Paddlesport-- in addition to having the largest selection of kayaks in any one place ever, they're all usually on sale for about 10-15% off what the Paddler usually sells them for.

 

[snowshoe]

Wow camp nobebosco. Thats where the First Friday the 13th was filmed. The old camp crystal lake signs still stands up their. The very first scene with the counsler hitchiking by the tunnel. That was Suusex County rt 206. Just thought Id throw that in there.
Rob Taxes are the cheapest in western warren and Sussex counties. I doubt that will last forever though. You can get a good deal on kayaks up here by me. Called Neils sports. The place is a mess but you can get great deals 50% off on last years modles and he will work with you. I have bought my XC ski's and Kayak through him. He is in Wantage on rt 23.
Rick, glad everything is going well. When you move back let me know. Sierra is doing great she is just over 1 year old. Have not taken her out much hiking this summer. Too hot and very buggy for me. Been Mt biking more. Well keep in touch.

 

[Jay H]

There's also a bunch of paddle-specific stores down in southern NJ but closer to Camden, like in Salem or Cumberland County. I'm friends with a couple of JSSKA folks (Jersey Shore Sea Kayak Assoc) and one of them posts on their boards of a place down there.

Maybe we should get a mini-VFTT kayak Jersey gathering...

Perhaps a place like either Swartzwood (closer to PA) or Round Valley... Or if a drive is OK, we can do Rivenstone(*)

Jay



*Not the real name, used to protect the place but it's a great place to kayak

 

[mudhook51]

Another little kayaked, full of wildlife,(eagles osprey, beaver,otter,) is the upper Delaware Rivers, the West and East Branches above the Prepactacton and Cannonville Res.. We do these in mid spring when the water level permits. Because they are small, you can sometimes float right beneath perching eagles and ospreys .The section below Downsvilles to Hancock NY , where the beaverkill enters the delaware,is also floatable in late spring, but is not to well known because it interferes with the sport trout fishing and this is big business along this section. Lots of wildlife and it really doesn't scare the trout.

 

[TMax]

Hey Jay,

Nice pics...I gotta get back out on the water...

Nice pics, Jay. Sharp eye spotting the eagle.
Makes me wish I could afford a kayak. I forgot to tell you on the phone-I did just enter a contest to win an inflatable. Hey, you never know!

Matt

Hey Matt,

I have two kayaks...one I call Bertha...it would take a tidal wave to flip her! Any time you want to make a run in the Dewlaware I'd be happy to loan you Bertha and float downstream with you.

 

[AMF]

There's also a bunch of paddle-specific stores down in southern NJ but closer to Camden, like in Salem or Cumberland County...

Bein's you be talkin' 'bout my neck 'o the woods, I ain't NEVER come across a paddle-type store 'round these parts. Wished I had! But talkin' bout paddlin' the ol' Delaware, I've been getting out some on it down here in tidewater country after a knee injury has kept me from too much hikin' & climbin'. It's been pretty amazing - some of the stretches on the Jersey side look like pure wilderness. White sand beaches, overhanging trees... just have to have tunnel vision to block out the occasional oil refinery from view. I've even thought of taking a hammock & doing an overnite!

 

[Jay H]

Hey AMF,

Since you mentioned your down there, There is a person at this store (see the link below), "George" I think his name is and he posts on the JSSKA forum which I somewhat lurk on. He runs a store called the Paddle Shack in May's Landing.

http://www.thetent.com/arcadia/nj/njcr_paddleshack.htm

MudHook51, Since you're talking about the upper delaware and eagles, might as well check out the Rio Reservoir which is on the border of Orange/Sullivan county off of Route 42 north of Cahoosie and below Monticello. It has a eagle preserve on the west side of the reservoir (Dam is on the south of the reservoir). Two boat launchs, the one I go to is the one furthest north, just north of the private(?) beach club.

I've only been there once last spring but thought it would be a cool paddle in prime eagle viewing season.

Jay