23.20
West Haven.
I had every intention of breaking 100 trips with my fleet of kayaks and 1 canoe but it never happened. If my records are somewhat straight, I made 88 trips - which is fairly respectable none the less.
If I had to guess, I would say that 10 involved sea / offshore kayaking, 4 tandem tours, maybe 10 river tours, and the rest pure river clean-up / wildlife monitoring / rescue trips. So, at least I know I'm straight as far as putting in work in the name of Air Trees Water and Animals.
23.45
A new arrival shall join the fleet by the springtime. Actually two: a Spirit Dimension 4.3 Duo and a Tsunami X-2 Starship. I already own the Duo, which is being stored at David and Cheryls kayak shop up in Oakville.
I tried to get out this past Monday, the weather was really nice but realizing that Alibaster cat was not feeling well required me to shift gears and focus on her instead. All is well now.
23.55
In 2010, I will focus on my mental and physical self. I will still give the ATWA my utmost dedication, but I need to do self repair and maintanence if I am to continue my work. So, this year looks to be most promising and productive in more ways than one.
For the Air, Trees, Water, and Animals...
- Earth +ATWA+
Thursday, December 31, 2009
Saturday, December 26, 2009
Naugatuck River Update...
22.07 West Haven.
Today saw a productive trip up the Naugatuck River, something I had not planned on doing - only because I felt the tide was too low. But to my surprise, I made it as far as Division Street and in the process filled yet another 45 gal trash liner. I felt bad because I was supposed to visit David and Cheryl at CT Outdoors today, but the kayaking bug bit real hard after missing about 14 days...
The trip started out as usual at O'Sullivan's Island in the early afternoon. By chance, the Housatonic was not really flowing outwards too bad, so I decided to journey up to the Derby Shelton dam. This was oe nice trip, the snow looked beautiful - and even though it started to rain, I was at peace. I was one with the elements, happy and truly feeling good.
Not much was really going on. I brought hot coffee for the trip, and enjoyed a cup at the dam while slowly drifting by where Mary Grant would occasionally spot me while she was out doing her own clean up work. I wonder what ever happened to her...
The only wildlife spotted was about 35 turkey vultures - all looking at me from the top of the old buildings on Canal Street towards the locks...
Back at O'Sullivan's Island with a light but steady rain, I marveled as to how the lagoon was already frozen. Lots and lots of seagulls... There were several lage sections of ice floating about as well. For the most part, the are looked really good. Of course, there was fishing line to be picked up, but this is the norm and unfortunately not the exception...
Once I decided to extend this trip up the Naugatuck River, I knew I made the right choice. The litter in the river -while heartbreaking - at the same time was a welcome sight - because I knew that I had enough room where I could retrieve most of it - which is exactly what I did.
By dark I was back at the boat launch. Cold, with not so hot coffee - but knowing that I'll be out again tomorrow and Monday as well. I want to say I've made 82 trips this year, I know I've done at least 80 so I should by year end hit close to 85 trips total, which while short of 100 is still pretty damn good.
22.20
While I'm a day late and a dollar short, I would like to wish you all a Merry Christmas.
I'll be back here soon with more updates as far as my defending the Air Trees Water and Animals go...
Easy,
Earth xoxo
Today saw a productive trip up the Naugatuck River, something I had not planned on doing - only because I felt the tide was too low. But to my surprise, I made it as far as Division Street and in the process filled yet another 45 gal trash liner. I felt bad because I was supposed to visit David and Cheryl at CT Outdoors today, but the kayaking bug bit real hard after missing about 14 days...
The trip started out as usual at O'Sullivan's Island in the early afternoon. By chance, the Housatonic was not really flowing outwards too bad, so I decided to journey up to the Derby Shelton dam. This was oe nice trip, the snow looked beautiful - and even though it started to rain, I was at peace. I was one with the elements, happy and truly feeling good.
Not much was really going on. I brought hot coffee for the trip, and enjoyed a cup at the dam while slowly drifting by where Mary Grant would occasionally spot me while she was out doing her own clean up work. I wonder what ever happened to her...
The only wildlife spotted was about 35 turkey vultures - all looking at me from the top of the old buildings on Canal Street towards the locks...
Back at O'Sullivan's Island with a light but steady rain, I marveled as to how the lagoon was already frozen. Lots and lots of seagulls... There were several lage sections of ice floating about as well. For the most part, the are looked really good. Of course, there was fishing line to be picked up, but this is the norm and unfortunately not the exception...
Once I decided to extend this trip up the Naugatuck River, I knew I made the right choice. The litter in the river -while heartbreaking - at the same time was a welcome sight - because I knew that I had enough room where I could retrieve most of it - which is exactly what I did.
By dark I was back at the boat launch. Cold, with not so hot coffee - but knowing that I'll be out again tomorrow and Monday as well. I want to say I've made 82 trips this year, I know I've done at least 80 so I should by year end hit close to 85 trips total, which while short of 100 is still pretty damn good.
22.20
While I'm a day late and a dollar short, I would like to wish you all a Merry Christmas.
I'll be back here soon with more updates as far as my defending the Air Trees Water and Animals go...
Easy,
Earth xoxo
Saturday, December 12, 2009
Housatonic River Update
23.54 West Haven.
Today saw the first cold trip of the season, in fact - parts of the lagoon in O'Sullivan's Island were starting to freeze. For once, there was very little litter / debris in the river, but I still managed to haul out a huge sheet of white plastic which may or may not have been somebodies home. I saw numerous Great Blue Heron on both sides of the river from O'Sullivan's Island south to Two Mile Brook.
I only went to the southernmost portion of Two Mile Island before opting to turn around and head back.
As the sun started to set, the ice started to form all over the forward deck of my Walden Sports Tandem "The Dancing Ferret"...
As I've mentioned before, this boat is set up as a solo boat which goes with me everywhere via my jeep for quick launching at a moments notice.
00.02
Typically, the trips become slightly reduced this time of year - due to both weather concerns and amount of daylight available, although this starts to work in my favor once Christmas rolls in (the sun sets later, while the sun does not start to rise earlier until after New Year's).
I sent Theresa Gallagher an email thanking her for the certificate which the mayor of Shelton even signed. This mean much, it's the little thing's which always matter most.
As time goes on, the amount of recognition recieved is less and less while the target on my back seems to get bigger and bigger.
Time to enjoy some Rustico's Mellow Red Wine. It's my reward,and I've earned it today...
For the Air, Trees, Water, and Animals...
Earth xoxoxo
Today saw the first cold trip of the season, in fact - parts of the lagoon in O'Sullivan's Island were starting to freeze. For once, there was very little litter / debris in the river, but I still managed to haul out a huge sheet of white plastic which may or may not have been somebodies home. I saw numerous Great Blue Heron on both sides of the river from O'Sullivan's Island south to Two Mile Brook.
I only went to the southernmost portion of Two Mile Island before opting to turn around and head back.
As the sun started to set, the ice started to form all over the forward deck of my Walden Sports Tandem "The Dancing Ferret"...
As I've mentioned before, this boat is set up as a solo boat which goes with me everywhere via my jeep for quick launching at a moments notice.
00.02
Typically, the trips become slightly reduced this time of year - due to both weather concerns and amount of daylight available, although this starts to work in my favor once Christmas rolls in (the sun sets later, while the sun does not start to rise earlier until after New Year's).
I sent Theresa Gallagher an email thanking her for the certificate which the mayor of Shelton even signed. This mean much, it's the little thing's which always matter most.
As time goes on, the amount of recognition recieved is less and less while the target on my back seems to get bigger and bigger.
Time to enjoy some Rustico's Mellow Red Wine. It's my reward,and I've earned it today...
For the Air, Trees, Water, and Animals...
Earth xoxoxo
Sunday, December 6, 2009
O'Sullivan's Island / Naugatuck River Update.
21.51 West Haven.
Hello Friends !!
Once again, a real good outing on the river. Although I started too late, I still retrieved a whole lot of trash from the waterways around (and in) O'Sullivan's Island. I started right at high tide so I wasted no time getting into the big pond via the secret stream. It was great - got out and checked out the two smaller ponds - then proceeded up the Naugatuck River up towards RT 34, concentrating on whatever I could fish out of the river banks which just last week I cleaned so well. It's frustrating when one does such a thorough clean-up only to return and have it look like nothing ever got done. But this is why I do what I do year round - because the trash never cease's to exist. I saw a huge blue heron - who just kept an eye on me and did not even fly away...
Best part of the trip was heading back in the darkness - and seeing the water starting to freeze up on the bow / fwd deck...
I probably pulled out about 25 gal's worth of trash. If I had the canoe, I would have filled it - but today I had my trusty beater boat "The Dancing Ferret" named after ChrisTDF of Brooklyn NY. It's a Walden Sport Tandem set up as a solo clean-up / rescue boat for winter ops. Incidently, my summer beater boat is an Ocean Kayak "Sidekick" named "Lesile Leeds"...
That's about it for this week. I'll be back out on the river next week.
For the AIR, TREES, WATER, and ANIMALS...
- Big George aka Earth xoxoxo
Hello Friends !!
Once again, a real good outing on the river. Although I started too late, I still retrieved a whole lot of trash from the waterways around (and in) O'Sullivan's Island. I started right at high tide so I wasted no time getting into the big pond via the secret stream. It was great - got out and checked out the two smaller ponds - then proceeded up the Naugatuck River up towards RT 34, concentrating on whatever I could fish out of the river banks which just last week I cleaned so well. It's frustrating when one does such a thorough clean-up only to return and have it look like nothing ever got done. But this is why I do what I do year round - because the trash never cease's to exist. I saw a huge blue heron - who just kept an eye on me and did not even fly away...
Best part of the trip was heading back in the darkness - and seeing the water starting to freeze up on the bow / fwd deck...
I probably pulled out about 25 gal's worth of trash. If I had the canoe, I would have filled it - but today I had my trusty beater boat "The Dancing Ferret" named after ChrisTDF of Brooklyn NY. It's a Walden Sport Tandem set up as a solo clean-up / rescue boat for winter ops. Incidently, my summer beater boat is an Ocean Kayak "Sidekick" named "Lesile Leeds"...
That's about it for this week. I'll be back out on the river next week.
For the AIR, TREES, WATER, and ANIMALS...
- Big George aka Earth xoxoxo
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