On the Waterfront, A Space Shuttle

Instead of telling Toddler Paddler "hey look, it's New York City", I now ask "do you see the Space Shuttle?" The Space Shuttle Enterprise made its way up the Hudson to its new home on the deck of the Intrepid Air Craft Carrier turned Air and Space Museum.  Although this shuttle never flew in space, (it was used for landing tests in the 70's),  the Enterprise did have a big influence on the overall design of the Space Shuttle and the STS program.  Below are a few pics from its sail up the Hudson and a paddle I had last weekend.

 

The Good, the Bad, the Ugly, and Sad

I'll start with the good.... This past weekend was beautiful - warm temps, low humidity, and calm waters.  It was perfect for paddling.  I spent hours paddling up and down the waterfront.

The bad... As I was paddling out (at low tide which I rarely do), I was able to get some pictures of the old wooden pylons that are getting eaten away by shipworms.  If you are wondering why our piers are collapsing, take a close look at the picture below.  The image was taken east of the Tea Building in northern Hoboken.  That's 100+ year old wood supporting 6+ feet of concrete.

The Ugly... I noticed that the ships that are collecting in Weehawken Cove are looking even more worse-for-ware than last year.  It doesn't seem there is any over site to who moors ships in the cove.  Below is a picture of a sunken ship that was floating around the cove last summer.

And finally, the sad... I was really excited to learn that a new boat ramp had been placed on the walkway between Hoboken and Weehawken.  I was really hoping to start using it as a launch point.  However, once I got there, I realized that no kayak will ever launch there.  The rocks that were used for the "beach" are enormous and would do serious damage to most boats (especially composite boats - mine is plastic and I would never put-in there). I'm not sure if the beach was intended for kayak use or not, but if it was, it was very poorly designed.  The smaller pebbles at the top would be fine, but only if boaters launch and return at high tide - unlikely.  See below.

Anyway, it feels good to be back in the water.  I will be updating from time to time this summer - hopefully with more cheerful posts.  Happy Paddling!

More Waterfront Repairs

Below are a few pictures I took of the significant repairs that are taking place on the walkway north of the Tea Building. There is also a picture of the new walkway between Hoboken and Weehawken.

Paddling the Center

When Kayaking the Hudson River, you always get pulled to the center channel. It’s not a bad thing. In fact, on a calm day, it can be quite nice to just float to the middle of the river and have a good look around.

Unfortunately, in the river of Hoboken politics, it is almost impossible to navigate the center channel.

The blogosphere is a wave of vitriol and a reminder of just how divided Hoboken politics are – on both sides.

On one side, you have the so-called “corrupt old guard” – Beth Mason, Mike Russo, Lane Bijardi, Frank Raia, Hoboken411, the “Born and Raised”. On the other you have the so-called “Zimmer Zombies” – Dawn Zimmer, Ravi Bhalla, Michael Lenz, Kid’s First, MileSquareView, 2/3rds of those who comment on HobokenPatch, Grafix Avenger, “the yuppies”.

This river gets narrower, shallower, and more polluted each day.

So here’s what I've seen while paddling the political center channel - and what I've learned from it.

Hoboken City Council – I know, and have had long conversations with, many people who serve on the current Hoboken City Council. And, I should add, there are many bright people on both banks of Hoboken’s political river. But, I am convinced that this city council cannot be fixed – so I have made a decision of how I will, in a small way, help change things. Plain and simple, I will not vote for anyone with direct ties to the blogs listed above. Further, I will only vote for those who do their best to distance themselves from those blogs. I suggest you join me.

Hoboken Schools – Let’s all say it together… “My kid will go to Hoboken’s Public Schools”. See, don’t you, as a young Hoboken parent, feel better. If we - all the parents at the playground - say it, and then follow through, our public schools will improve, and, one day, be great. And best of all, it will not matter who is elected to the school board. I know many of the teachers at these schools – and the ones I know are excellent. It is time to start supporting them. Let me start the movement… my daughter will attend Hoboken Public Schools. Again, I hope you join me.

See, it can be calm out here in the middle. Even peaceful. Happy paddling.

Regarding Saint Pats and Snooki

I told myself I wouldn’t get involved in the St. Patrick’s Day / Snooki debates, but it seems that these two topics have been the talk-of-the-town, so to speak.  And since it's too warm to ski, and too cold to kayak, here goes…

Let me start with a bit of background.  My wife is a retail business owner here in Hoboken.  I work in town.  We raise our daughter, own a condo, and pay loads of taxes here.  Together, we have lived in Hoboken happily for over twelve years.

Unlike most people in the blogosphere, I do not have a crystal ball that allows me to see into the future and know for sure whether or not the decision by Mayor Zimmer to ban the likes of Snooki and her ilk is a good idea. 

On one hand, I have the fear that many Hobokenites have: people will think less of Hoboken.  I know that Hoboken is more than its bar culture.  After many years, Hoboken has succeeded in building a reputation as a great place for families, high quality restaurants, and reputable businesses.  You could say that Hoboken has finally grown up.  We do not want to see that reputation destroyed with “wait, doesn't Snooki live in your town?”

On the other hand, the Mayor just turned away what could potentially be an estimated 7.8 million viewers.  That’s 7.8 million people who will not get to see the New York skyline from our side of the river; 7.8 million people who will not get to see the numerous restaurants, bars, and businesses that make this city thrive.

Is it too much to expect that people who do not watch these shows won’t know or care that they are filmed here?  Or that people who do watch these shows might actually get to see Hoboken as a good place to visit? 

Personally, I don’t watch Jersey Shore, but I do have friends who do.  And before you rush to judgment, many of these friends are older, smart, college educated, and wealthy – go figure.  And, if my MTV-watching-memory serves me, MTV is very good at making the places they send their “stars” look cool, youthful, and nice - even when their “stars” look like buffoons.

Here is what I do know.  Mayor Zimmer – who recently unilaterally moved the much hyped, much celebrated, and extremely controversial Hoboken St. Patrick’s Day Parade to a Wednesday (which the parade committee sited as its sole reason to cancel this year’s parade) - is the same mayor who granted the Cake Boss a permit to film during last year’s St. Patrick's Day Parade: the same parade that shows our city in such a bad light, according to our mayor. 

I’m not sure whether Mayor Zimmer’s decision is a good one or a bad one – only time will tell.  But I am sure that she shouldn’t make decisions like these without consulting her constituents – including both the tax paying residents and tax paying businesses (of which, I am both).  Shouldn't my wife decide whether or not she wants Snooki in her shop?  Not that my wife would want Snooki there, but now the choice has been made for her.

Let me be clear – although I may ultimately agree with the mayor regarding this decision, I do not agree with her rush to judgment to protect the “quality of life” of this town.  

Shouldn’t the businesses of this town get a say when potentially turning away free publicity to 7.8 million people?  I’m curious, what does the W Hotel think about this decision?  What about the trendy Hoboken boutiques?  Or any other business that will provide the tax base to actually improve our “quality of life”?  

Further, how does the mayor defend her “Cake Boss: yes, Snooki: no” logic?  Has the Cake Boss contributed to the overall “quality of life” of this town?  How does a business like First Street Barber feel telling every person walking to stand in line for a cannoli that they can not use their restroom?  How has their “quality of life” improved? 

Frankly, both shows to me are ridiculous – and I can’t understand why anyone would watch either one.  But make no mistake - people do watch these shows.  

For many local businesses, the difference between a good year and a great year is as few as 100 sales.  A parade or silly reality show can make that difference.  And in a microeconomy like Hoboken, those profits then make their way back to the restaurants, grocery stores, coffee shops, and boutiques that keep our town vibrant.

I’m also surprised at many of my Hoboken friends who now, when discussing these matters, seem like parents from the 1950’s, “we only want wholesome, decent enterprises in our town.”  Since when did we all become the decency police?  Personally, I like the youthful side of Hoboken. I still enjoy the bar culture – and the fact that young people want to move to this town.  I love it when I tell young people I live in Hoboken and they look at me like, “cool”.  Will that change with Snooki?  Possibly, but that's why she wants to come here.  That’s also why bus-loads of college students will drive here from out-of-state for Hoboken’s Saint Patrick’s Day.  Hell, that’s the reason many of us wound up here in the first place.  Maybe even you, Mayor Zimmer.

I know Hoboken has grown up, but I have to ask, when did we all go and get so… old?

A Foggy Winter Morning

With winter temps regularly hitting the 60's, this has been a strange winter indeed. I know that one winter does not deter the climate change skeptics so I have attached the following article and some amazing pics of what happens when warm air meets the cool Hudson. Enjoy.

More of the Same

Above are Satellite Images taken of the Hudson River in 2010 and 2011, respectively.

Get ready for more of the same. More rain and more snow are on their way to the northeast. You don't have to be a meteorologist to understand that global warming causes incredible increases in precipitation, especially in temperate climates - and leaves behind great drought in warmer areas (see Texas). Heat causes greater evaporation, and more precipitation, and this past summer, according to NOAA, was the second hottest summer on record in the U.S.

I was fortunate enough to catch one of the last flights out before Hurricane Irene (we flew out of Philly to France for holiday the day before the big storm hit - New York airports were already closed), so I wasn't here to see it. We were very luck that our Hoboken property stayed dry as well. But I can tell by the Hudson River that Irene, and the subsequent Tropical Storm Lee, caused great damage.

A week later, the Hudson still flows muddy brown. The Hudson River Valley has swelled to great heights. And run-off pollutants will continue to threaten our waterway for weeks to come.

I hope to get back in my boat before the cold weather kicks in - maybe this weekend. Of course, the approaching Tropical Storm Maria might change my minds. It's just more of the same.

France Vacation, 2011

Above are a few of the photos from my vacation with family and friends in Le Vernet, France. Baby Paddler loved it. Thank you to Ash, Brittany, and Andy for a great week.

Our River is Safe Again

After a Harlem fire dumped raw sewage into our Hudson River, the NJ DEP has stated the river has been cleared again for recreational use. Read more here. To read more about how the damage has already been done, read here.

I'll see you on the river. Happy Paddling!

Boaters Welcome. Tie Up Anywhere!

I am not sure what the laws are regarding mooring or tying up boats in Weehawken Cove, but lately, there seem to be many. Last year, there were only a few - all belonging to a New York boat club. This year, there are twice as many - most of which are in bad condition and have been poorly moored, anchored, or tied up. Above is a picture of one such boat that has been seen in the cove lately. The boat is haphazardly tied to a pole on the collapsing pier east of the Tea Building. Now take a look at the same boat below.



The above picture was taken only two days later. The boat, filled with personal belongings, is now sunk against the pier.



Worse yet, the boat's belongings are strewn across the Tea Building beach (below).



Now, I am all for the right to waterfront access. It is my opinion, the more people enjoy the Hudson River, the more people will protect it. But boats recklessly tied to collapsing docks or moored by homemade anchors only threaten our beautiful river. Further, we do not know if people are/were living on these watercrafts.

I am amazed that Hoboken and/or Weehawken authorities have allowed all of these boats to just tie up anywhere. (By the way, I have noticed that many of them have come along since the new construction of the waterfront walkway between the two river-front cities. Do the boats belong to the workers? I know the same boat, shown above, was tied up to the newly constructed walkway only weeks ago.) It is my hope that boats like the one above will not be allowed to stay in Weehawken Cove any longer.

Otherwise, I might just have to buy that sailboat I wanted. After all, I know the perfect place to put it.

Lackawanna Ferry Terminal

I love paddling down to the Lackawanna ferry terminal. Each time I do, I am amazed by the restoration of this historic building. You can now see awnings have been added, as well as shiny, round decorative mirrors hanging from the ceiling.

I'm curious, with the construction of, not one, but six terminals, is the city of Hoboken anticipating greater ferry usage by Hobokenites? Is NY Waterway going to be increasing their capacity? Or, is the city of Hoboken anticipating other private-use ferry services? Maybe they will, once again, sail the Yankee Clipper - the ferry from Hoboken to Yankee Stadium? Either way, things are looking great downtown.

More Pier Deterioration

These images were all taken below the sinkhole near Fouteenth Street Pier. I know this story has been discussed ad nauseum in the local press, but until you see for yourself just how much cement sits atop old wooden pylons, it is hard for the average Hobokenite to understand how bad the situation really is.

One Very Big Boat

Fleet week usually brings large military ships to New York's harbor, but this is not a Navy ship. This is simply the largest private boat I have seen in the Hudson. Check out the size of the craft and its three masts compared to the pleasure boat that is next to it. If anyone knows anything about this boat, please comment.

Visitors to Twelfth Street Pier

I paddled over to to the Twelfth Street Pier the other day. To my surprise, in addition to the historic Yankee Ferry that is always there, there were two other boats tied to the dock. One who is making a return visit and one that I had never seen before. The Anne is back (pictured in front). You remember this boat - its controversial Captain, Reid Stowe, spent a remarkable 1,152 days at sea. It left for winter , but has returned. Read more about this amazing ship here. The other boat was enormous! It flew flags from Denmark and had a large crew drinking wine and enjoying dinner when I paddled by. They all seemed very friendly and waved.

These ships add much needed character to our waterfront. I suggest you stop by to check them out before they sail off.

End of Summer Pictures

Since the birth of Baby Paddler, I haven't been able to log as many hours on the Hudson as I did in the past. I have gotten out enough, though, this summer to enjoy the river and take a few pictures. Here are a couple that have been on my camera for a while:



A pleasure boat sunk in Weehawken Cove.



Invasion of the paddle boarders.



New Hoboken Green Space? It is as usable right now as Pier C...



Pier C. Will this ever open?



Progress on the Steven's Institute of Technology waterfront.



What in the world? The Sheraton in Weehawken.



And finally, a picture of the "Anne"- possibly one of the most famous ships to dock on our waterfront. Read more about this remarkable ship and its captain here (from last week's New York Magazine). My friend Steve said it well... "he (the captain) is right in what he doesn't quite say... he deserves more fanfare and recognition." However, as a new father, the story is tough to swallow. From what I've heard, this ship is now docked in Queens.

Have a great fall everyone!