Historic Landmark on the Hudson River

Month: April 2007

  • Special projects

    —

    by

    keeper
    in

    My two brothers traveled from the city for a visit. Even though they were taking a day-off from work, they wondered if I didn’t have any special projects to do. There are always plenty of projects at the lighthouse, so we went to work. We assessed the flood damage to the bluestone patio and brainstormed…

  • Paddle-to-the-Sea

    —

    by

    keeper
    in

    A school group visited the lighthouse this morning. The tell-tale long-braided hair and simple calico dresses of the girls identified them as members of the Bruderhoff Community in Plattekill Clove.  Each student carried a miniature canoe.  They carved and painted the canoes themselves. Inspired by reading the storybook Paddle-to-the-Sea, the students planned to launch their…

  • Spring peepers

    —

    by

    keeper
    in

    Finally, after an overcast week, clear skies. In the western sky shined a crisp sliver of the waxing new moon and the bright planet Venus. The reappearance of the stars prompted me to dust off the telescope and take a look around. A magnified view of the pock-marked lunar surface. Saturn with barely discernible disc…

  • Flood weary

    —

    by

    keeper
    in

    The river at flood-stage is a mighty force to behold. Wind-driven waves combined with high water have reeked havoc all week. After five consecutive nights and days of flood-stage high-tides, I am feeling worn down from contending with the aftermath of the flood. Damage to both deck and dock. Boardwalks in disarray. Woody debris and…

  • Call of the loon

    —

    by

    keeper
    in

    Needing a break from flood clean-up, I went to town for the evening. I returned in the dark. The wind, which had been blowing none stop for days out of the north, had finally stopped. The water was becalmed.  In the stillness, I could distinctly hear the falling creek on the other side of the…

  • Trail conditions: !!!

    —

    by

    keeper
    in

    Good is you are waterfowl looking for wetlands. Not so good if you want to get to the lighthouse. Flood water receded from the trail for a few hours this morning, just long enough to lash together boardwalks to keep them from floating away with the next high water.  I rushed to finish work before…

  • Trail work at night

    —

    by

    keeper
    in ,

    I couldn’t fall back asleep after my brief vigil last night, so I decided to make the most of the wee hours. I put on chest waders over my pajamas and ventured onto the flooded trail. As I waded through thigh deep water, windblown waves broke against my waist. The air temperature was in the…

  • Keeping vigil

    —

    by

    keeper
    in ,

    I set my alarm for 1:00 AM. High tide is at 2:07 AM. The Esopus Creek is expected to crest later tonight. When I woke to my alarm and took a look around, I was surprised to see the floodwaters within 6 inches of topping the granite plinth. Windblown waves splashed over the north side.…

  • It snowed!

    —

    by

    keeper
    in ,

    A wet dusting of snow on the ground overnight.

  • Clearwater shake-down

    —

    by

    keeper
    in ,

    The sloop Clearwater set sail on the river today to train the new crew. When they motored down the creek, I was busy hauling laundry and supplies from the parking lot to the barge Yuck Finn at Boone’s dock, so I missed them on their way out. Nevertheless, I watched from a distance as they…