Historic Landmark on the Hudson River

Author: keeper

  • Alosa

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    Alosa is the genus name for shad, the anadromous fish which migrate up the Hudson River this time of year. Alosa is also the name of the 16′ sloop on loan to me from River Dick. Dick has another sailboat, and this one sat out of the water last year. Dick didn’t want the Alosa…

  • Trail conditions: better than ever!

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    The nor’easter a couple of weeks ago brought high water and pounding waves. This combination severely damgaged the trail. Sections of  the boardwalks were separated and scattered through the woods. Trees fell across the trail. Driftwood and debris clogged the footpath. Now, the trail clean up from the flood is nearly done. Thanks to Dick…

  • Marsh marigolds

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    Marsh marigolds are blooming!  The green plants recently emerged from the mud, and the bright yellow blossoms stand out.

  • Special projects

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    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

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    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

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    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

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    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

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    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: !!!

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    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

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    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…