Most of residents’ backyards that bordered the Passaic were not well-manicured norĭesigned to utilize all the river has to offer. Actual boat ramps were scarceĪnd the few parks along the edge did not have hiking paths or much that revered the river. The bad reputation of the Passaic, there is very little recreationalĪctivity on the river, even though the early stages of the Passaic areĪesthetically serene and quite accessible. On the Passaic, I trusted I would have similar experiences with ordinary people,īut to be honest, I really did not see that many people on or near the river. The countless people he met along the river. Paperback, he shares his personal struggles,įears, triumphs and lessons he learned from Mississippi from northern Minnesota to New Orleans. Harrisĭecided to embark on his childhood dream: to canoe the Up near the banks of the Mississippi River in St. Written by Eddy Harris, a man in his thirties who grew One of my favorite books is Mississippi Solo, To me was the encounters and types of people I would meet The pollution was well anticipated, but more of a mystery Later, I learned the Passaic performs the hectic,ĭemanding job of simultaneously serving as a sewerage dump Plants, with large concrete pipes aimed squarely at the Go on forever in environmental bliss, but conditionsĪnd water quality began to change near Chatam, a suburban Travel through that provided some personal jollies in the kayak. Still, near the beginning, there were a few minor rifles to The totalĭrop in elevation is only 600 feet, from the headwaters to downtown The Passaic felt more like a stagnant pond that seemed moreĬonducive for peace seeking and meditative experiences. Wild-flowing river like waterways in Colorado. Now let us be clear here: the Passaic is not a brisk, Even floating under bridges was a novel experience, as I made goofy noises and amused myself with the echoes. I laid as horizontally as I could and consciously experienced everything with all five senses. I was so giddy, paddling really fast, then stopping to a virtual stand still. In that first day I traveled over 25 miles. North towards the suburbs of the greater metropolitan area. During theįirst ten-mile stretch, the Passaic travels southeast before turning Squiggling and turning without a care in the world. Me down with a suspicious look as I quietly floated past him as silentlyĪs I said, the early Passaic flows like a young child, freely Were rightfully paranoid of my imposition on their sanctuary, yet they were Mother ducks and their cute little baby duckies following There wereĮnormous blue herons that stirred my spirit as they leaped off tree branchesĪnd spread their gigantic wings towards the sky.Īnd other birds. Land, were markedly intrigued as I floated past them. Wildlife abounded throughout the early stretch of the river.ĭeer, hearing me but used to looking for enemies coming from the There was very little noise, and just a few homes could Surroundings and all its vast colors were enthralling. This is actually northern New Jersey." The natural ![]() Saying to myself numerous times, "I can’t believe The river that lazily flowed into woodland, I remember Waved good-bye to Bernie, my heart was soĮcstatic. Lush foliage aboundingįrom huge trees hovered over the childlike stream. Had never quite experienced in northern New Jersey. The water was clear and pristine.Įven the swampy characteristics had an alluring, playful sentiment that I ![]() On a very early Thursday morning in June 2000, with the kayakĪlready strapped on the back of the pick-up truck of myīest friend Bernie, we headed south to Basking Ridge, New Jersey, where the Passaic There is so much to say, and hopefully thisĪrticle will illustrate some of my experiences on this amazing river. Ugly, polluted and dangerous, much less to be enjoyed by boat. The New Jersey attitude that claims the river is I broke through all my considerations, ignored my lame excuses, and rejected I floated the entire 90-mile waterway on a long and thin ocean kayak. 90 Miles of Fun: My Kayak Trip on the Passaic River!
0 Comments
Leave a Reply. |