19.20
west haven
This site will be moving here: http://earth-atwa.blogspot.com/
The reasons are simple: I desire to consolidate what it is I am doing so I can reduce the amount of passwords needed...
Believe me when I say we have only just begun...
For the Air, Trees, Water, and Animals...
- Earth...
Sunday, February 28, 2010
Sunday, February 21, 2010
O'Sullivan's Island / Naugatuck River Update.
20.15
west haven
Yesterday I got out for about 2 hours during the late afternoon. The weather was good, and while I thought about focusing just on river clean-up I felt it would be better to focus more on the overall condition of the entire area. So I did...
I left the boat launch at around 15.45 and headed up towards the Ousatonic dam. A strong south wind made heading north a bit of a chore, but not too bad. I noticed quite a bit of plastic - large clear plastic liners - of which I retrieved several of which were along both the Derby and Shelton river banks just south of Rt 8.
It's a losing battle: There is no possible way I can keep up with all the trash which keeps showing up. So, this year I will do something different: prioritize how I remove what...
1. Fishing lines, lures, hooks, etc - since this is most hazardous to the animals.
2. Plastic bags, etc... this is also very hazardous to the birds and marine life
3. Styrofoam - which kills too.
Stuff like plastic bottles - while an eye sore - don't harm the wildlife. I'll deal with that matter when I can...
20.25
Last week, me and Wolf visited David and Cheryl at their shop, and while the visit was a bit awkward, I left knowing that I just lost 2 friends. It sucks to feel this way, but I really do.
To fall from grace is never good, but indeed I have, and the need for redemption - while great - is not quite forthcoming just yet...
...but soon I hope!!
20.30
The Vermont saying is that with Thanksgiving Day follows 100 days of bitter cold weather. Well, it seems that this is holding true once again. Winters back is broken, soon it will be spring.
With death comes life. One door closes and another always seems to open...
Give-Love-Each-Day,
Earth xoxo
west haven
Yesterday I got out for about 2 hours during the late afternoon. The weather was good, and while I thought about focusing just on river clean-up I felt it would be better to focus more on the overall condition of the entire area. So I did...
I left the boat launch at around 15.45 and headed up towards the Ousatonic dam. A strong south wind made heading north a bit of a chore, but not too bad. I noticed quite a bit of plastic - large clear plastic liners - of which I retrieved several of which were along both the Derby and Shelton river banks just south of Rt 8.
It's a losing battle: There is no possible way I can keep up with all the trash which keeps showing up. So, this year I will do something different: prioritize how I remove what...
1. Fishing lines, lures, hooks, etc - since this is most hazardous to the animals.
2. Plastic bags, etc... this is also very hazardous to the birds and marine life
3. Styrofoam - which kills too.
Stuff like plastic bottles - while an eye sore - don't harm the wildlife. I'll deal with that matter when I can...
20.25
Last week, me and Wolf visited David and Cheryl at their shop, and while the visit was a bit awkward, I left knowing that I just lost 2 friends. It sucks to feel this way, but I really do.
To fall from grace is never good, but indeed I have, and the need for redemption - while great - is not quite forthcoming just yet...
...but soon I hope!!
20.30
The Vermont saying is that with Thanksgiving Day follows 100 days of bitter cold weather. Well, it seems that this is holding true once again. Winters back is broken, soon it will be spring.
With death comes life. One door closes and another always seems to open...
Give-Love-Each-Day,
Earth xoxo
Sunday, February 14, 2010
St Valentines Day...
18.50
west haven
Today was St. Valentines Day. The weather would have been perfect for kayaking but sometimes it's far more important to be with those we love.
This tends to be a quiet time of year for me. I think I got out 4 times in January, which is 4 more than I did in January of 2009 - due to the river being frozen solid.
I visited David and Cheryl with Wolf yesterday. Highlight of the trip to Oakville was when David showed me a full page ad in a news paper some kind soul took out to get people involved with his crusade. Now, I would never stoop to that level,it would be akin to begging for help. The way I see it is if nobody is willing to lend a hand by witnessing what I am doing - then fuck them - they become a waste of oxygen in my book, not worthy of even living...
But today I learned a valuable lesson. When you are a part of nature (not apart from nature) there is nothing that can take it away from you. Next year, if the weather is good again on St. Valentines Day, I will be right where I belong: in the elements, with the Air, Trees, Water, and Animals...
Give Love Each Day,
Earth xoxo
west haven
Today was St. Valentines Day. The weather would have been perfect for kayaking but sometimes it's far more important to be with those we love.
This tends to be a quiet time of year for me. I think I got out 4 times in January, which is 4 more than I did in January of 2009 - due to the river being frozen solid.
I visited David and Cheryl with Wolf yesterday. Highlight of the trip to Oakville was when David showed me a full page ad in a news paper some kind soul took out to get people involved with his crusade. Now, I would never stoop to that level,it would be akin to begging for help. The way I see it is if nobody is willing to lend a hand by witnessing what I am doing - then fuck them - they become a waste of oxygen in my book, not worthy of even living...
But today I learned a valuable lesson. When you are a part of nature (not apart from nature) there is nothing that can take it away from you. Next year, if the weather is good again on St. Valentines Day, I will be right where I belong: in the elements, with the Air, Trees, Water, and Animals...
Give Love Each Day,
Earth xoxo
Wednesday, February 3, 2010
Life After Death...
00.57
west haven.
This is a very quiet time of year for me. Typically, it becomes too cold to do too much outside - but even so, the month of February brings much sadness and little joy. Sadness and in that my Leslie is gone, sorrow in that I will always feel that I should have done more. But I couldn't... and even if I could, her mind was already made up - and there was nothing I could do to make thing's better for her.
One thing I got out of this is that there is life after death. How or what form I don't know - but I saw her after her soul departed - and recognized this fact instantly...
What does this have to do with the ecology??
Everything.
Leslie is my guardian angle, she watches over me and makes sure that everything's gonna be ok.
I sincerely believe this to be true.
I also know that she will always be with me - even after everybody else has left me.
01.06
With snow on the way for this weekend, I doubt I'll be doing much in the way of river clean-up. Truth is, I'm feeling burned out about the whole thing and wonder how much longer I can sustain doing this great work.
One thing is for sure: I do it for the animals, and once they are gone - so will I...
Fuck People. People are the problem. (C.Manson)
(no truer words have ever been spoken)
For the Air, Trees, Water, and Animals...
- Earth xoxo
west haven.
This is a very quiet time of year for me. Typically, it becomes too cold to do too much outside - but even so, the month of February brings much sadness and little joy. Sadness and in that my Leslie is gone, sorrow in that I will always feel that I should have done more. But I couldn't... and even if I could, her mind was already made up - and there was nothing I could do to make thing's better for her.
One thing I got out of this is that there is life after death. How or what form I don't know - but I saw her after her soul departed - and recognized this fact instantly...
What does this have to do with the ecology??
Everything.
Leslie is my guardian angle, she watches over me and makes sure that everything's gonna be ok.
I sincerely believe this to be true.
I also know that she will always be with me - even after everybody else has left me.
01.06
With snow on the way for this weekend, I doubt I'll be doing much in the way of river clean-up. Truth is, I'm feeling burned out about the whole thing and wonder how much longer I can sustain doing this great work.
One thing is for sure: I do it for the animals, and once they are gone - so will I...
Fuck People. People are the problem. (C.Manson)
(no truer words have ever been spoken)
For the Air, Trees, Water, and Animals...
- Earth xoxo
Sunday, January 24, 2010
Housatonic / Naugatuck River update
20.35
West Haven
The last two days provided two very different trips on the waterways surrounding O'Sullivan's Island.
20.43
Backtracking to Saturday: After a new beginning (working a quick 5 hour shift at 'the job') I made it out on the river by 15.30 and decided that this trip was to be considered more of a tour as opposed to river clean-up. So, I headed down towards Two Mile Brook and was astonished to see right before my eyes a huge (confirmed) Golden Eagle. I watched it with great interest and suddenly realized that the Hero camera was still in the studio. I then made it downstream some more before placing a call to David at CT Outdoors. Heading back towards Derby, the mighty eagle swooped down low several times trying to locate a nice fish dinner - but with no luck.
What is interesting is that in the late afternoon, it is pretty common to see eagles here. This is also the same location as me and wolF were stationed at for the eagle survey (where we saw the air strike evidence) a couple of weeks back.
I could not believe the amount of trash in the river once you got near the Orange townline, and it just got worse the further south one went. The HVA folks know about this too (more about them later)...
Sundays trip (today) was more recon than anything else since I got out at about 15.00 and the weather was less than perfect. But the light rain provided a silence in the air which I have not experienced in quite some time. With no people in sight, all the river birds were out, along with the usual turkey buzzards / vultures..
This trip went up to the Derby Shelton Dam. As I drifted along by the waterfall's, I could not help but think about Mary Grant, the only other soul I know to care about the ecology the way I do. Although I have not seen her in years, I think about her all the time.
Some disturbing news: I noticed how more trees are still being cut down along the Housatonic River side of O'Sullivan's Island - where that new evil park was installed. Can't they leave just some trees alone ?? What bastards these people are - cutting down everything in site so the area can be more like Coney Island... Wait till the summer, it will be a zoo there!!
Both trips ended at around 17.15 or so - just as darkness was setting in.
Both trips also yielded some river clean-up work too...
Both trips re-inforced why I do what it is Ido for the air, trees, water, and animals...
20.57
I mentioned the HVA earlier.
Well, they are up to having one of their so called town hall meeting's and I thought it might be good to provide an enlightened point of view about how they operate 'from some one who knows'...
I did not bash them in anyway - I just described how they operate and how I felt that raising funds was their main objective. This was done on a Yahoo Group site which I am a fringe member of after reading a post regarding something the HVA folks are planning...
Glad I'm done with them - I bet they miss my $$$'s very much.
Interesting how they never gave a damn about all the work I still put in All The Way Alone...
So it will be interesting as to if I remain active with the NVOC folks after they read my post - and that's fine: if they kick me out, they kick me out - it's not like they like me or anything...
21.08
On the boat's front: Tomorrow I will be calling Sheena at AIRE to enquire about purchasing a Super Lynx which has been hanging around for some time. I am also at a crossroads regarding purchasing a tandem sea expedition kayak - still trying to decide between the Swift Double made by Paddleyak in South Africa or if I should go with the X-2 Starship Micco has for me over in West L.A. Right now - it's the X-2 that I desire. I will be contacting Micco soon to discuss purchasing arrangements. While Johan Loot's makes some fine boats in South Africa - the shipping costs make it prohibitive.
I expect to be out again next weekend, but probably only on Sunday for more river monitoring...
For the Air, Trees, Water, and Animals...
- Earth xoxo
West Haven
The last two days provided two very different trips on the waterways surrounding O'Sullivan's Island.
20.43
Backtracking to Saturday: After a new beginning (working a quick 5 hour shift at 'the job') I made it out on the river by 15.30 and decided that this trip was to be considered more of a tour as opposed to river clean-up. So, I headed down towards Two Mile Brook and was astonished to see right before my eyes a huge (confirmed) Golden Eagle. I watched it with great interest and suddenly realized that the Hero camera was still in the studio. I then made it downstream some more before placing a call to David at CT Outdoors. Heading back towards Derby, the mighty eagle swooped down low several times trying to locate a nice fish dinner - but with no luck.
What is interesting is that in the late afternoon, it is pretty common to see eagles here. This is also the same location as me and wolF were stationed at for the eagle survey (where we saw the air strike evidence) a couple of weeks back.
I could not believe the amount of trash in the river once you got near the Orange townline, and it just got worse the further south one went. The HVA folks know about this too (more about them later)...
Sundays trip (today) was more recon than anything else since I got out at about 15.00 and the weather was less than perfect. But the light rain provided a silence in the air which I have not experienced in quite some time. With no people in sight, all the river birds were out, along with the usual turkey buzzards / vultures..
This trip went up to the Derby Shelton Dam. As I drifted along by the waterfall's, I could not help but think about Mary Grant, the only other soul I know to care about the ecology the way I do. Although I have not seen her in years, I think about her all the time.
Some disturbing news: I noticed how more trees are still being cut down along the Housatonic River side of O'Sullivan's Island - where that new evil park was installed. Can't they leave just some trees alone ?? What bastards these people are - cutting down everything in site so the area can be more like Coney Island... Wait till the summer, it will be a zoo there!!
Both trips ended at around 17.15 or so - just as darkness was setting in.
Both trips also yielded some river clean-up work too...
Both trips re-inforced why I do what it is Ido for the air, trees, water, and animals...
20.57
I mentioned the HVA earlier.
Well, they are up to having one of their so called town hall meeting's and I thought it might be good to provide an enlightened point of view about how they operate 'from some one who knows'...
I did not bash them in anyway - I just described how they operate and how I felt that raising funds was their main objective. This was done on a Yahoo Group site which I am a fringe member of after reading a post regarding something the HVA folks are planning...
Glad I'm done with them - I bet they miss my $$$'s very much.
Interesting how they never gave a damn about all the work I still put in All The Way Alone...
So it will be interesting as to if I remain active with the NVOC folks after they read my post - and that's fine: if they kick me out, they kick me out - it's not like they like me or anything...
21.08
On the boat's front: Tomorrow I will be calling Sheena at AIRE to enquire about purchasing a Super Lynx which has been hanging around for some time. I am also at a crossroads regarding purchasing a tandem sea expedition kayak - still trying to decide between the Swift Double made by Paddleyak in South Africa or if I should go with the X-2 Starship Micco has for me over in West L.A. Right now - it's the X-2 that I desire. I will be contacting Micco soon to discuss purchasing arrangements. While Johan Loot's makes some fine boats in South Africa - the shipping costs make it prohibitive.
I expect to be out again next weekend, but probably only on Sunday for more river monitoring...
For the Air, Trees, Water, and Animals...
- Earth xoxo
Saturday, January 16, 2010
Housatonic / Naugatuck River update
23.45
west haven.
man, today was one for the books!! what a wild trip this was...
I loaded up my trusty predator k-140 in anticipation of a good river tour when I soon realized that there was too much trash in the river, so this turned into a clean up trip instead...
I first headed up towards the Derby Shelton dam and noticed that the amount of ice in the river was not that bad. Actually, for the most part - there wasn't any...
Then I headed back down stream back towards O'Sullivan's Island and soon realized that this was going to be more of a river clean up event as opposed to a tour. Ok, too bad I've got the wrong boat now - but that's ok I guess...
Once I rounded O'Sullivan's Island, I could not believe how much trash I saw in the Naugatuck River. Ok, so it's been a couple of weeks but still...
00.20
I eventually started to make my way towards Two Mile Island aka Beards Point. I was told earlier that it was solid ice from the point to Sunnyside. I watched from a distance how one boater made it around the bend. But by the time I came through, the ice was starting to close in (the other boat was already back). Now, for some reason, I sensed an urgency to head back north but to my horror ans surprise - the entire river passage way was completely blocked off...
O H S H I T !
In the midst of all this maddness, I decided that nw would be a good time to take a leak, and so I did - onshore by Two Mile Brook...
I soon realized that there was no way I was getting out of this one - and elected to portage the boat - actually drag the boat across the slabs of ice while I walked along the shore balancing between the rocks and the ice.
00.30
I made it, and after a nice hot cup of coffee, I called my wolf to tell her about this latest adventure. When I say I felt like I was on some kind of expedition, I really mean it...
Yet another 45 gal liner filled with trash was accomplished today - so this year is starting off well.
I hope to be back out on the water soon, maybe next week..
For the Air, Trees, Water, and Animals,
- Earth...
west haven.
man, today was one for the books!! what a wild trip this was...
I loaded up my trusty predator k-140 in anticipation of a good river tour when I soon realized that there was too much trash in the river, so this turned into a clean up trip instead...
I first headed up towards the Derby Shelton dam and noticed that the amount of ice in the river was not that bad. Actually, for the most part - there wasn't any...
Then I headed back down stream back towards O'Sullivan's Island and soon realized that this was going to be more of a river clean up event as opposed to a tour. Ok, too bad I've got the wrong boat now - but that's ok I guess...
Once I rounded O'Sullivan's Island, I could not believe how much trash I saw in the Naugatuck River. Ok, so it's been a couple of weeks but still...
00.20
I eventually started to make my way towards Two Mile Island aka Beards Point. I was told earlier that it was solid ice from the point to Sunnyside. I watched from a distance how one boater made it around the bend. But by the time I came through, the ice was starting to close in (the other boat was already back). Now, for some reason, I sensed an urgency to head back north but to my horror ans surprise - the entire river passage way was completely blocked off...
O H S H I T !
In the midst of all this maddness, I decided that nw would be a good time to take a leak, and so I did - onshore by Two Mile Brook...
I soon realized that there was no way I was getting out of this one - and elected to portage the boat - actually drag the boat across the slabs of ice while I walked along the shore balancing between the rocks and the ice.
00.30
I made it, and after a nice hot cup of coffee, I called my wolf to tell her about this latest adventure. When I say I felt like I was on some kind of expedition, I really mean it...
Yet another 45 gal liner filled with trash was accomplished today - so this year is starting off well.
I hope to be back out on the water soon, maybe next week..
For the Air, Trees, Water, and Animals,
- Earth...
Saturday, January 9, 2010
Todays Search For Eagles -by Jeep !!
17.06
West Haven
Today me, Wolf and Eris went looking for eagles. We took Wolfs Jeep since it made most sense to do so (the 20 deg temps made going via kayak out of the question). Upon arrival at our designated location, we parked and searched. Lucky for us, the area assigned can be viewed either from the back side of the cemetary or from a kayak positioned just north of Two Mile Island on the Housatonic River.
We did not see any eagles, but did see evidence of where an air strike by an eagle took place. This was amazing. Seeing the blood, and looking at the tracks - and especially the impression of a big wing - fingers and all - Wolf was able to determine exactly how this scene took place. It's guessed that we missed it by maybe a couple of hours at best. So, we did not see any eagles but saw evidence of eagles catching prey.
I then decided that it might be good if we went over into Shelton and head down Canal Street just past the Birdie Bye Hotel and then walk along the path towards the Derby Shelton Dam, which seemed like a logical place to explore. Almost immediatly, I saw a huge black bird but with white wing tips under it's wing's - about the size of a human hand. I felt it was not vulture but could not say for sure just what we saw, so a mystery - which Googling has yet to provide an answer too.
17.30
I guess the right thing to do is start earlier. Our late start prevented us from witnessing something truly amazing but had we been there, would the kill have taken place??
Don't know. But I do know that it was worth being out in the bitter cold and 6 hours later,my thermos is still pouring coffee at a proper tempetaure.
Life Is Good !!
On the eco / kayaking front things are quiet. The Housatonic River is filling with ice, but still remains passable. However, No kayaking / river clean ups this week - it's too cold - which is fine, the down time will be put to good use.
Be Back Soon !
Earth
Air Trees Water Animals
All The Way Alone
West Haven
Today me, Wolf and Eris went looking for eagles. We took Wolfs Jeep since it made most sense to do so (the 20 deg temps made going via kayak out of the question). Upon arrival at our designated location, we parked and searched. Lucky for us, the area assigned can be viewed either from the back side of the cemetary or from a kayak positioned just north of Two Mile Island on the Housatonic River.
We did not see any eagles, but did see evidence of where an air strike by an eagle took place. This was amazing. Seeing the blood, and looking at the tracks - and especially the impression of a big wing - fingers and all - Wolf was able to determine exactly how this scene took place. It's guessed that we missed it by maybe a couple of hours at best. So, we did not see any eagles but saw evidence of eagles catching prey.
I then decided that it might be good if we went over into Shelton and head down Canal Street just past the Birdie Bye Hotel and then walk along the path towards the Derby Shelton Dam, which seemed like a logical place to explore. Almost immediatly, I saw a huge black bird but with white wing tips under it's wing's - about the size of a human hand. I felt it was not vulture but could not say for sure just what we saw, so a mystery - which Googling has yet to provide an answer too.
17.30
I guess the right thing to do is start earlier. Our late start prevented us from witnessing something truly amazing but had we been there, would the kill have taken place??
Don't know. But I do know that it was worth being out in the bitter cold and 6 hours later,my thermos is still pouring coffee at a proper tempetaure.
Life Is Good !!
On the eco / kayaking front things are quiet. The Housatonic River is filling with ice, but still remains passable. However, No kayaking / river clean ups this week - it's too cold - which is fine, the down time will be put to good use.
Be Back Soon !
Earth
Air Trees Water Animals
All The Way Alone
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