SEEING ROOSEVELT ISLAND UP CLOSE...AND AMAZING!

Sunday kayaking was great, but Monday's trip from Long Island City to Hallets Cove was spectacular--a bit unnerving at time, but also very exciting! We set off and crossed the East Channel of the East River to Roosevelt Island and then paddled HARD against the current along the rocky shore (!) and around the tip to the western side. I was very nervous but also excited that I was doing it!

My partner in the kayak was Joyce, who lives on Roosevelt Island, and who brought Argos, her little dog, who travels with his own Personal Flotation Device!

I knew I was in good hands--she's very experienced--and so I stayed pretty calm. I loved seeing the old smallpox hospital up so close,

but I agree with Joyce that the building going up for the FDR Four Freedoms Park is UGLY and block-ish. Too bad...

The current was with us on the way up, and we paddled enjoyably up to the Lighthouse, where we met a friend of Joyce's and had our photos taken. (I wish I looked as fit as I felt, darn it...those life jackets are not flattering!) But I felt so happy...and enjoyed the paddle to the cove.

Later, I got to take out one of the single kayaks (thank you, Bob!) and paddled around for about 20 minutes. I did like the feeling of controlling the direction and speed of the kayak. In a two-seater, you have to depend on the person behind you to direct the boat, while you simply paddle your heart out. That's hard for me sometimes!

Later, we paddled downriver in the East Channel, first along the island side, and then crossed over as a group. The sun had come out late in the date, and the sky was beautiful.

We worked hard to get the kayaks back to the boathouse, help hose them off and carry them inside. Some celebratory watermelon topped off the day.

Thanks to Steve and Ted and Katie and Joyce and Argos and Voula and Deborah and the other Katie who is president of Green Shores.