Hudson
River
South Glens Falls, NY
South Glens Falls, NY
For the
first time it occurred to me this afternoon
what a piece of wonder a river is.
HDTs
Journal, September 3, 1838what a piece of wonder a river is.
Henry Thoreau
spent many hours a-walking, and wrote a wonderful essay about this mode of
travel, but in the warm summer months, the water was his preferred hangout.
His favorite places to go a-boating were not (as one might think) Walden Pond, so much as the rivers running through the center of Concord.
His favorite places to go a-boating were not (as one might think) Walden Pond, so much as the rivers running through the center of Concord.
Two
rivers of widely different character meet in the Village, and join to become
the placid Concord River.
Then
as now, rivers were harnessed for power; dammed and damned by humans.
Then, as now, many saw the river as a convenient place to toss stuff. (to see firsthand accounts of Thoreau’s beloved rivers today, and what one local hero is doing to keep them clean, visit Trashpaddler. Watch out ! it's contagious...)
Today,
there are no longer log drives on this stretch of the Hudson.
The river's history is fascinating, and we paddle in what was basically an industrial area, a hundred years ago.
Many dams exist solely for flood control, for which we are grateful.
Even then, the river is never completely tamed.
The river's history is fascinating, and we paddle in what was basically an industrial area, a hundred years ago.
Many dams exist solely for flood control, for which we are grateful.
Even then, the river is never completely tamed.
Rivers flow past factories and back yards, and yet … they can be scenes of great beauty.
You can find quiet places tucked away, despite the river’s popularity on a hot summer day.
You don’t have to go far. Here's a family picnicking on an island in the river, just a short paddle from the boat launch. Sure beats taking the kids to McDonald's!
You
don’t even need much equipment.
Kick back, and relax!
You don’t have to travel to a pristine wilderness to find an interesting plant or critter along the river.
Osprey nest near the dam
Muskrat seat along the shore
Pickerelweed in bloom
It’s
worth going to the river to see the sort of things that one can only see from out on the water.
A field of water-shield flowers
Wierd underwater organisms -
like this Bryozoan, Pectinatella
like this Bryozoan, Pectinatella
It’s worth picking up just one piece of litter --
or two bags full, if that’s the case.
Go by yourself.
Enjoyed your post! Nothing like the enjoyment of wetland areas! Thanks for sharing.
ReplyDeleteHi Joni-- well, like a waterlily, I like to just drift around in places like that !
ReplyDelete