Historic Landmark on the Hudson River

Year: 2007

  • mid-Hudson River regatta

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    Today was a beautiful day for sailing, as evidenced by the half-dozen or more sailboats that whisked past the lighthouse, riding northerly breezes all afternoon.  The volunteer docents arrived by sailboat to lead tours at the lighthouse. Dick skimmed past the dock in the Alary to drop off a package I’d been expecting. How fortunate…

  • Butternut

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    On several occasions, I’ve noticed a squirrel carrying a nut in his mouth. Apparently, the squirrel is gathering nuts from the butternut tree on the outer island, making repeated trips between the deck and the dock.

  • Fresh vegetables

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    This is a great time of year to be a resident of the Hudson Valley. These days, you can’t bump into a neighbor without walking away with an armload of vegetables. This morning, I made a trip up the creek with the barge to pick up some lumber. Al Lawless is kind enough to let…

  • More about the White Pelican

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    Tom Lake of the Hudson River Almanac informed me that White Pelican sightings on the Hudson River are rare but not unheard of.  According to Tom, White Pelicans are seen about about once every 5 years. The last recorded sighting in the Hudson River Almanac white pelican was May 3, 2004  at Kingston: “We spotted…

  • American White Pelican

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    During a tour inside the Saugerties Lighthouse, someone exclaimed, “A white pelican!”  Somewhat skeptical, I went to the first floor window for a look. Sure enough–a large white bird perched on the the jetty at the mouth of Esopus Creek opposite the lighthouse. It’s orange bill and mouth pouch were unmistakable.  American White Pelican. That’s…

  • Bosun's chair

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    Captain Jerome pulled his 24′ sailboat alongside the dock. “Do you have a bosun’s chair?” he wondered. “No, but I could probably make one,” I said, glancing over at the stack of lumber on the dock.  A bosun’s chair is basically a rope swing–a board for a seat with a rope attached–used to hoist a…

  • Dragonfly

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    On Boone’s dock, a newly-emerged dragonfly stood atop its molting skin, yet to unfold its wings.

  • A bit of river history

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    Today, I made my regular trip to Sauer farms for a few dozen eggs.  While waiting on the front porch as Mrs. Sauer helped another customer, I got into a conversation with Mr. Sauer. He told me about the time when he used to ride the ferry from Saugerties across to Tivoli: “In 1938 or…

  • Sudden storm burst

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    The weather forecast called for scattered thundershowers, but no one seemed prepared for the storm that ensued this afternoon. Gale force winds. Lightning. Heavy downpour of rain. Hail. A few kayak paddlers and a hiker took refuge in the lighthouse and waited out the storm in the parlor. I hurried around the lighthouse closing windows…

  • Nature channel

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    This morning, Bobby Dangerously and I motored up the creek with the barge to haul some lumber. Along the way, we noticed a Great Blue Heron perched on a tree branch at the shoreline. While we admired this stately and elegant bird, another creature appeared. Behind the heron, the face of a baby raccoon peeked…