Neil M. put this trip together Launching at Emerald Point Bar/Restaurant five of us headed go out on a clearing day on Greenwood Lake.
Greenwood Lake Clearing
The Launch is not a regular one to be expected as Neil had gotten permission from one owner but that was never communicated to the co-owner so there was a bit of confusion and delay in getting on the water. There is a park on the NJ West side that’s worth looking into as an alternate launch as the regular in-season cost to launch from Emerald Point is $20.
As soon as we moved our cars to the proper parking area we were rather amazed at the population that came to spend the afternoon at the bar. Being ignorant of motorcycle hangouts I learned that Emerald Point is a happening place as at least 40-50 motorcylists arrived by the time we put on the water. Go figure.
A few fishermen on runabouts were out but that was the extent of the motor boat traffic as we started heading southward down the shoreline on the east side but otherwise very few others were there to see us off except as you see below.
Well Wisher
85% of the shoreline is private house/property after another with the surrounding ridgeline having no development on them.
Michael & Leo Leading
Neil & Leo
Photo of Photographer
At about mid-way down the lake we heard quite a ruckus of helicopter noise. Neil said that he had seen quite a few Emergency Responder traffic on the way in.
SAR Chopper
SAR Chopper
SAR Chopper
As it turns out this wasn’t an exercise but a search for a missing fisherman whose boat was found but no sign of him. http://www.midhudsonnews.com/News/2009/November09/16/GwdLk_search-16Nov09.html Hanging out at the south end of the Lake a bit we realized that we should start making progress back north as it’s getting dark earlier and earlier these days.
Michael, Neil, Leo & Barbara
Neil & Barbara
We nipped off the very northern portion of the lake opting to save a little time getting back to the laucnch.
Total distance was 12.2 miles although the GPS track/map below shows 12 as I was a little late on the water to turn on the MotionX program.
http://maps.google.com/?t=p&z=15&ll=41.21305847167969,-74.29914855957031&q=http://api.motionxlive.com/motionx-remote/api/gps/host/facd6d7c-8f03-45bb-82cf-be64ba582b45
All in all, a very pretty day on the water on a lake that is probably much easier to enjoy in the Off Season for motor boats.
If anyone has a suggestion for a better public launch than what we used please feel free to drop a line.
See you on the water,
Marshall
The River Connection, Inc.
