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Journal Entry
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| Date: |
Friday, July 20, 2007 |
| Location: |
Verplank |
| Weather: |
Sunny and warm |
| By: |
Sarah Pate |
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Today we woke up at 6:30am to the wet remains of last nights storm. Luckily, my sleeping bag and pillow could not have gotten any more wet than they were. Despite the train 20 feet away and the rain, I slept soundly throughout the night. As we hiked back to the docks we saw bushes of wild berries and nature all around which almost seemed to trick us into thinking we were back in the mountains. We set off this morning to clear sunny skies and both the wind and current in our favor. We made great time rowing the "NonPareil," all of us in sync, enjoying the view of the mountains around us and bridges above. After about 6 miles we switched rowers and for the first time of this trip I got to ride instead of row. Through I enjoy rowing, riding is always a welcomed change. The weather was gorgeous and the wind perfect for sailing. I helped set the sails and tie off the ropes. After a rest and taking some photos. Sandy let me take the helm after Rob. It was so much fun catching the wind perfectly in the sails, picking up speed and watching Rob get really nervous as the boat leaned far to the sides. We got enough wind at times that you could touch the water if you reached far enough towards the rail. The cool breeze, beautiful scenery and excitement definitely made sailing the highlight of my day. I am very grateful I got the chance before Sandy leaves tonight though I was told I was missed on the rowboat. After lunch and a couple meetings I am now in the shade of my tent listening to the gulls an breeze through the trees. I am looking out on the boat yard and clear blue skies, though I am told there is to be more thunderstorms later. Three days and over 30 miles of rowing has definitely helped me sleep well. To my family, who I am sure will read this, I am doing well. I have counted especially for you: 38 bruises, 20 scrapes, a sunburn on my shoulders (and yes, I have been using sunscreen), and 9 blisters on my hands. But I am assuming they could have guessed that just by knowing how adventurous I tend to be. I love getting messages from you all, especially after days of hiking through rain, rock cliffs, and long days rowing (sometimes upstream) on the Hudson. To all my friends, family, and everyone back home I miss you and cannot wait to see you or hear from you soon. Dinner, packing, cleaning of the boats and possibly the local firemans festival tonight and an early morning row tomorrow (6am). I think, for now, I will follow everyone else and take a quick nap while I can.............10:30pm
After dinner we went to the fireman's festival. It was filled with games, rides, parades and lots of carnival food. It was fun (especially the dunking booth clown that made fun of everyone in the trek group), but I think a lot of us are getting use to the peacefulness and quietness of the outdoors away from civilization. Not to say that we wouldn't have liked to go on a few rides--and the food was an AWESOME change from we have been eating. After the festival we went on hte Half Moon, a replica of the original boat that Henry Hudson sailed on. It looked like a giant pirate ship and was run by teenagers our own age from Schenectady and Holland. It was interesting to get the tour and even more interesting to speak with the Dutch students, especially when they attempted to teach us a few words in their language. After speaking and joking around for a while we started to get ready to go to sleep. Before we got to the tents, we were able to watch a fireworks display light up the sky. The fireworks exploded literally right above our campsite! You could hear the echoes of the fireworks coming from all the mountains around the river and it sounded like a battle of fireworks.
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Photographs From Friday, July 20, 2007
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Trekkers on Sloop Green Lantern, Non Parail and JML Giggs off Bear Mountain 11:50am. | 
Taking a break, near Peekskill. | 
Getting underway from Garrison. | | | 
The Green Lantern, sailing off Indian Point. | 
Todd's all good. | 
Tizoc reads the guestbook to the trekkers at Verplank. | | | 
Home sweet home on the Tug W.O. Decker & Sloop Green Lantern in Garrison | 
Rowing off Newburgh on JML. | 
Cooking in Garrison. | | | 
Group picture in Verplank | 
Visiting on the Half Moon. |
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