Days 76 thru 79
Runyak for Liberty, Day 76, June 26, 2014
Today is
Hope and my 43rd wedding anniversary. It would be sweet if we were
runyaking together. Over the past few days, not feeling up to par, we left her
kayak in Michigan and headed to Baldwinsville, or what locals B’ville.
Bridge downtown B'ville
Because of river bends today’s kayak distance was 2/3 longer than the run. I’m sure missing the days back west when the Erie Canal was independent of rivers and trails ran along side the channel. Yet, an analogy can be made, paddling rivers compared to a canal, is like comparing back roads to expressways.
Once
paddling began I had to follow a large bend in the Seneca River. It was a
nine-mile loop to get back to the same latitude that I began. At the bottom of
the loop I passed another channel that led to Syracuse’s Lake Onandaga.
I’ve
previously stated that some Flint River water finds its way into the Erie Canal
and to thus to Hudson and Atlantic. Something occurred today that made me
doubtful of that... Two miles north of the loop the Seneca River ended. Two
rivers met the Seneca, the Oneida and the Oswego. Had I followed the Oswego I’d
eventually end up in Lake Ontario. So, I veered into the Oneida River and
suddenly it felt as if I was paddling upstream. It became obvious that any
Flint River water was heading to Lake Ontario via the Oswego River.
I saw two
men in a bass boat and ask the obvious question. They said the current on the
Oneida could go either way depending on the gate and lock ahead, Lock 23. I was
shocked when they told me at Lock 23 I’d be locked up and not down. I’ve been
under the assumption all 35 locks would be lowering me until reaching the
Hudson River.
ROWING TEAM
Before the junction my paddle pace was 18 min/mi, after the junction it was closer to 30 minutes per mile all the way to my finish point, Pirates Cove Marina. I called ahead and let Hope know my e.t.a. and she was there minutes after I docked. Pirates Cove was reached by taking a cut (Big Ben) that lopped off four miles of the Oneida River. I was so grateful for that cut.
Before the junction my paddle pace was 18 min/mi, after the junction it was closer to 30 minutes per mile all the way to my finish point, Pirates Cove Marina. I called ahead and let Hope know my e.t.a. and she was there minutes after I docked. Pirates Cove was reached by taking a cut (Big Ben) that lopped off four miles of the Oneida River. I was so grateful for that cut.
Day 76 – 8.75 run,
13.20 yaked
Unlike the last trip to New
York, it is now summer, so running first, kayaking last, is more important. And
earlier the run the better. I began today’s run just after 7:00 am. On the run
to Pirates Cove I spotted a message spray painted on the edge of the road,
“Cold Beer.” An arrow pointed out into a field. I looked but saw nothing that
would indicate beer was within miles. Although it was early for beer, 8:00 am,
I was running and beer sounded good. What low life scoundrel would paint
something like that out in the middle of nowhere?
Three miles past the lock and again on the Oneida River I arrived in the town of Brewerton. Or should I say the CDP (Census-designated place) of Brewerton. New York is like Ontario; when they say “town” they are speaking of township. In this case Brewerton, on the south side of the river where I had landed, appears to be a "village" but is in the Town(ship) of Cicero. "Looks like a village" and would be but there is no village government so is concidered a CDP.
Around the “CDP” were many historical markers. Most interesting was that the hamlet originally was the location of Fort Brewerton, built in 1759, during the French and Indian War.
Day 77 –
7.75 run, 6.80 yaked
Runyak for Liberty, Day 78, June 28, 2014
Had to do a longer run today, 12.75 miles. I found a trail that cut off a mile or so otherwise using roads it would have been fourteen miles. I’d parked the van at Taft Bay Park on one of the many named bays on Lake Oneida. Oneida Lake is the largest inland lake in the state of New York. Yet on maps, two of the Finger Lakes both well over 30 miles long seem bigger. I had to make a decision to runyak on the north shore or the south. The final decision was follow the north shore. One factor in the choice, I thought I’d be more protected from wind and waves.
Before launching from the ladder at the fishing pier I watched as three fishermen launched a canoe where there was much aquatic weeds, litter, and not to mention a huge carp floating on its side. It looked like a nasty place to enter but I gave it a try to avoid the ladder. The smell was the worst aspect. Ugh.
Within a half mile I was out of the Oneida River and on Lake Oneida. The waves were slapping away at Swiftee but like a trooper he didn’t let them get the best of him. But, not having the skirt attached I headed for the first haven I saw otherwise his hull be taking on much water.
Three miles into what would become a ten-mile paddle I saw boat after boat crossing the lake and disappearing behind a point. When I rounded the point and entered Threemile Bay I saw what looked like a hundred boats. It was like a tailgate party.
I found out the party was called the “pig roast.” Years before there was an actual pig roast. Now, although no longer a barbeque it is still called by the old name. One of the partiers offered me a beer. I was about to crack open a Lagunita Double IPA but I held off and took the free offering. It turned out to be a can of Bud Light and even worse, it wasn’t cold. The ungrateful Michigan Beer Snob drank the disgusting lager.
It was a great relief to reach the finish line where Swiftee sidled up to the rocks at the Taft Bay Park.
Day 78 –
12.75 run, 10.20 yaked
Waking very early I left Hope still sleeping and prepped Swiftee at 5 am at Taft Bay Park and drove away to find boat launch at Godrey Point, just over five mile from Taft Bay Park. I had a nice slow run back and arrived to launch at 7:00 am. From the shore I heard the eerie call of the Common Loon. I thought I was hearing things. The Common Loon is not common where I live at the 43rd parallel in Michigan and Lake Oneida is about the same latitude as where I live. Looking out on the water I could actually see the loon so I wasn’t just hearing things.
The early morning sun shining on the water gave it a color I’d never experienced before. I looked like I was paddling in a lake of mercury. I paddled an average pace of 25 min/mi. Slow, but much faster than had I really been paddling in a fluid as dense as mercury.
It was just after 9:30 when approaching the Godfrey Point boat ramp.
When I texted Hope, “The Swiftee has I landed. She replied, “Wow.” Wow was the correct reply for never have I ended a runyaking day that early before. Having finished early we had ample time for the long drive home.
Day 79 – 5.50 run, 5.10 yaked
Four day total - 34.75 run, 35.30 yaked
Map of 1803 miles runyaked
RILEY McLINCHA is fundraising for Team CRI
Those who have followed me over the years know I have done other fundraisers for cancer research (V Foundation for Cancer Institute, American Cancer Society, Dana Farber Cancer Institute, American Cancer Institute.) When I began my runyaking to Niagara Falls and now Statue of Liberty it never crossed my mind to do another. Yet, along my route people have stopped me and asked if there was a cause for which I was raising money. With some guilt I'd say no. So, I decided to go looking for a good cancer research institute so when asked I can say "YES." In my search the Cancer Research Institute was always one of the highest rated and why I chose to go with them. My friend Corky Meinecke, who died of cancer in 1997 is still the spirit that drives me. If you are following my progress as I Runyak for Liberty and feel you'd like to make a special pledge to someone who has fought cancer please do. You will be in my thoughts as I runyak to the Statue of Liberty. You can donate at:
