Our River

It is the 400th anniversary of Henry Hudson's voyage. I encourage all of you to watch channel 13 tonight at 9pm as Bill Moyers documents the history and importance of the Hudson River. It amazes me that 400 years ago, Henry Hudson found a bay full of whales and dolphins, and just two days ago I was asked by a passer-by, while putting my boat in the river, if it was safe. I hope that person watches tonight as well.

Home Sweet Hoboken

We returned from winter in New Zealand to weather that is anything but summer-like. Fortunately, the days of rain gave us plenty of time to sleep off our jet-lag.

I cannot say enough about how wonderful our New Zealand trip was so I will let the pictures speak for themselves. I do want to thank our incredible hosts, Mr. and Mrs. Penney, for an amazing time and a trip we will never forget. We hope to do it again soon!

Today was a perfect day on the Hoboken Waterfront. There were people flying kites from Maxwell Place, the skatepark was packed with bikers and boarders, and the clubs playing soccer at the waterfront field even got me in on the action. I retrieved my third soccer ball from the Hudson this summer. It was a beautiful day in Hoboken

Tongoriro National Park, Lake Taupo, Rotorua

Auckland, Northland, and the Bay of Islands

Around the World In Eighty Hours!

Ok- so it wasn't quite 80 hours, but it was long. After over 20 hours of travel, Mrs. Paddler and I arrived in Auckland, New Zealand. It is great here- more on Auckland in later posts. It is still amazing to me that we were in New York less than a day ago. An Airbus 230 sure can make the world feel small. We were greeted by the Penney's at the airport- and it is so good to see them again. We went back to their place, only blocks from the Auckland waterfront. After, we went for a long walk and stopped for coffee to stay awake. It is our goal to stay up today as long as possible to get ourselves on kiwi time. So far so good. It feels great to be in New Zealand.

On a side note, yesterday, just before we were leaving, we saw on the news that a commuter plane and tourist helicopter collided and fell into Hoboken's waterfront. Tragically, nine people died. Debris fell along Frank Sinatra Drive. On most Saturdays I would have been paddling where the aircrafts crashed. Even more strange, the news of the accident arrived in NZ before we did, the pilot of the helicopter was a Kiwi. Small world indeed.

Off to New Zealand!

Mrs. Paddler and I leave this week for New Zealand! We can't wait! I am greatly looking forward to skiing and my wife, a knitter, will be in the land of sheep and wool. We are also hoping to get in a day of paddling in the northland area. Our nights will be filled visiting our Kiwi friends and drinking New Zealand wines and beer. I am also looking forward to seeing the stars of the southern hemisphere for the first time. The pic below is the grand chateau. We've booked three nights there. Awesome!

Camera Trouble

This is what it looks like when you drop a digital camera in the Hudson. When I began this blog I used an old digital camera. It worked great until I forgot it was around my wrist and tried paddling. I am now in the market for a new waterproof digital. If my reader(s) have any suggestions I would greatly appreciate them.

A Ticket for Tickets

$1000 for drinking in public. $35 for an expired meter. $150 for a boot and $65 for the ticket. Hoboken will write a ticket for anything! They write so many tickets that I found a flurry of them floating in our great river. What a mess. I picked up what I could. My only question: what's the fine for littering?

Pier C Revisited

I ventured back to pier C and took the photo above. You can see how much work is being done. The wood features look great. It is scheduled to open in Spetember, hopefully while the weather is still pleasant.

Rain Delay

Storms and rain have kept my sea legs planted firmly on land both yesterday and today. Fortunately it has also given me sufficient time to plan my big excursion. Mrs. Paddler and myself take a big trip each summer and this one is no exception. This year, we are traveling further than we ever have- to the other side of the world. We are going to New Zealand. August will be New Zealand's winter, but no worries- Hoboken Paddler is also Hoboken skier! I look forward to bringing my reader(s) pics and stories from the land of the long white cloud. We will be visiting our Kiwi friend Anna and her british husband Rob in their hometown of Aukland for the first of hopefully many trips.

If, like me, you are also stuck inside due to rain, feel free to peruse my links. I especially like the blogs written by my friends. Luke Sidewalker's quest to find millions the hard way might also bring you the financial insights you've been looking for. And, if you are male, in a relationship, or both, the newly created NagsforNorway is required reading. Both blogs are written in the vicinity of the mile square city. Enjoy.

From the Inside Looking Out

How quickly perspectives change. Yesterday I was on a ferry looking at kayakers, today I'll be a kayaker looking out for ferries.

Yesterday I took the ferry from 14th street to Wall Street to see friends who recently transplanted from Jersey to the financial district. My wife and I had a beautiful 30 minute trip traveling around southern Manhattan on a perfect evening. On the trip, we saw a group of kayakers crossing the Hudson. It is great seeing fellow boaters taking advantage of our underused waterfront.

Peter Cammarano has learned a thing or two about perspective changes as well. Just a few days ago, he was Hoboken's new young mayor. This morning, I walked past a hundred or so protesters in front of his Bloomfield Street home carrying signs demanding his resignation. Although I personally think these protests should be taking place at city hall, I cannot blame the citizens of our city for being angry and disappointed. For the record, he has stated he will not step down as mayor. How can he? He would be walking away from a six figure income- which will help pay much needed lawyer fees- and benefits for himself, his wife, and young daughter. What a mess.

I am waiting for the tides to shift before I head out again. I would suggest our mayor do the same.

Ho-broken

Today's weather forecast called for storms. Unable to paddle, I turned on the TV to some disheartening news.

It was only days ago I congratulated my new mayor, our city's youngest, on this site. And although it usually takes years before Hoboken mayors are caught for corruption, it took Peter Cammarano less than two months. Sadly, our mayor has been charged with taking bribes from a government witness posing as a real estate developer. Pathetic.

Hopefully, tomorrow's weather, and our next mayor, will be brighter.

One Reason I Kayak

There are numerous reasons I come home from work and take to the water. One of them is the peace and quiet that the river offers. As I type this now, I can hear through my home's open windows horns honking, sirens, and people talking loudly on their cell phones. On the river, you can't hear any of it. Nothing. The only sounds you hear are the wind, the water, an occasional bird, and... unfortunately, jet skis.

A Bigger Boat

Whenever I think a 15 foot kayak is large, I am continuously reminded by freighters and cruise ships just how small I am. Above is a picture of a cruise ship making its way out of New York harbor.

Hoboken is the Birthplace of Baseball

Although this fact is often disputed, it doesn't stop me from telling non-Hobokenite friends and relatives that Hoboken IS the birthplace of baseball. And it isn't stopping Hoboken councilwoman Beth Mason from trying to bring baseball back to the mile square city. Recently, she hired architects to re-imagine the northwest corner of Hoboken and envisioned, among other things, a minor league baseball field and greater park space (the above picture is what it currently looks like). Although I am not sure if all of her plans seem realistic in the current economy, I applaud her thinking outside the box. Or in this case, thinking outside the boxes that make up blocks and blocks of square condos to the south of this site.

While I am on the issue of local politics, I want to wish Peter Cammarano, Hoboken's youngest mayor in history, and Dawn Zimmer, our new Council President, all the best. I hope they all can put politics aside and do what is best for our waterfront and the residents of our great town.