Tootle Around the Tappan Zee
by Mike Passow

Sunday, July 11, 2010

This past Sunday we had a nice tootle around the Tappan Zee -- 18 paddlers (including trip coordinators Mike & Nancy), 17 kayaks (one a tandem.) Although the tide was coming in, the light wind was coming from the north, so it was a little bumpy heading north from Piermont. We paddled under the Tappan Zee Bridge and put in at the park in Nyack (we kayaked to Nyack!) where there is, among other things, a nice restroom. This was a little over 3 miles. After a short break, several kayakers decided to head back to Piermont (with Nancy guiding them), while Mike took the rest up to the Nyack Beach State Park (another 2 miles or so.) Going back we had both the tide and the wind with us, making it a faster trip back. The first group got to visit the weekly Piermont farmers market (ends around 2 pm.)

For those who have paddled from Piermont in the past, the gravel parking lot near the boat ramp has been paved and now provides many parking spaces. It is right next to the small park (Parelli Park) that is just above the beach at the put in. Instead of using the ramp, you can slide your boat under the split rail fence and climb down to the beach. This parking lot has its own entrance, just north of the M&T Bank, across from the firehouse.

Mike