Category: Outdoors

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What can I say, it just wasn’t my day!

What can I say, it just wasn’t my day on the Cohocton river. April 21st 2024 myself and friend Marty put in on the upper portion of the Cohocton river at Wentworth Road near Avoca, NY and paddled 8.5 miles to our takeout.

We would encounter calm water, swift water, tight turns, strainers and some blow down. There were two times where we would have to exit the river and drag our canoes through the woods and brush to get around the blow down. I got caught in some rapids and the current took the stern of my boat turning me sideways and that is all she wrote. I also had an incident with a downed tree. My Swift Dragonfly got a whole lot of new scratches on it and Marty’s Northstar Phoenix faired ok as well. At least Marty stayed in the boat…LOL..

Despite my mishaps it was a good day on the river nonetheless. I hope you enjoy the video, cheers!

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Updated: Rise of the Dragonfly

Story by Dave Curtis original owner of Curtis Canoe & current owner of Hemlock Canoe:

The Dragonfly was originally a Curtis Canoe model designed by Harold Deal. After the closing of Curtis Canoe by then owner John Renner the mold was passed on to Paul Mayer at Colden Canoe and then ultimately on to Bill Swift at Swift Canoe & Kayak in Canada. The design has been mistakenly listed as a David Yost design, that is incorrect. The discussion for that design was started by Harold on a trip to BWCA (Boundary Waters Canoe Area in Minnesota) back in 1983 with David Yost & myself. It was the main topic of discussion all the way out and back. Several innovative features were discussed including the side shoulder. Upon return I asked Harold to send me a complete list of the features he wanted in this canoe and I forwarded them to David Yost and commissioned the building of the plug. The wood strip plug was then paddled extensively by Harold and some changes were made before building the mold. This design was originated by Harold to compete in the ACA (American Canoe Association) White Water Solo Combined Class (same equipment paddled in downriver as well as the slalom event). The first 2 Dragonflies were delivered to Harold at the 1984 White Water Nationals at Nantahala in North Carolina where Harold would dominate that class for at least a decade.

Harold’s original concept was a flat water design capable of whitewater. On a trip to everglades in the early 1990’s he suggested he wanted to do another similar design but rather a whitewater design capable of flat water. He said he wanted to flip-flop his idea. The result was the SRT (Solo River Tripper), which he designed and built the wood strip plug for, he & I then built that mold together. The SRT is currently available thru Hemlock Canoe Works.

By: Joe Geronimo:

Currently Swift Canoe & Kayak has the original Dragonfly mold and will only be producing 15 of these canoes unless they decide to invest in creating a new mold. Back in late May 2023 I was in contact with Bill Swift of Swift Canoe & Kayak in Gravenhurst Ontario Canada. Bill had a brand new Dragonfly for a customer in Pennsylvania outside of Pittsburgh. On the first weekend of June I was heading to the Western Pennsylvania Solo Canoe Rendezvous in Slippery Rock, PA just north of Pittsburgh. Bill and I came up with a plan to meet in Buffalo, NY where I would take possession of the Dragonfly and transport it to its owner at the event.

I personally have not ever paddled a Dragonfly and over the course of the weekend I spent sometime in the boat and fell in love with it. I loved it’s depth for my big feet (Size 13) as they easily slide under the seat for when I’m kneeling. It’s initial stability is really twitchy but the secondary stability is rock solid and I just love the narrowness of the boat. On the long drive home I had time to think and decided I wanted a Dragonfly. A few days later I contacted Bill and I ordered my Dragonfly. Instead of shipping it I will be heading up to Ontario in the beginning of September to pick it up and spend some time in Algonquin Park. Cannot wait for this adventure, cheers!

Colden Dragonfly, Swift Dragonfly and the original Curtis Dragonfly

Swift Dragonfly

Paddling my new Swift Dragonfly in Canada

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Architectural Kayak Tour of Chicago

It was back in 2016 while my wife and I were visiting the “Windy City” we discovered that “Kayaking Chicago” tour company offered a historic architectural kayak tour of Chicago. Sadly we were on our last day in the city. Excited to eventually return we quickly added this to our bucket list of things to do. Fast forward to our July 2023 summer road trip where we would find ourselves tucked into kayaks paddling the Chicago river under the watchful eye of towering skyscrapers learning about Chicago’s architecture and history. Check another bucket list item off our ever growing list.

I have to say this was a fun and informative adventure and a total departure than we are use to. I personally loved all the hustle & bustle, sights and sounds of the “Big City” as we paddled under the numerous bridges that carry people and commerce through this maze of concrete and glass like the intricate highway in our bodies that keep us alive.

Hope you’ll find the time to paddle along with us on this 6 mile journey, cheers!

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Bucket list item checked!

Ever since meeting my wife back in 1994 and spending time with her family out in Ohio and Michigan I have been intrigued by the Great Lakes, in particular Lake Superior. Over the course of time I have salivated over Pictured Rocks National Lakeshore through pictures and have been wanting to get out there. As a matter of fact I had wanted to kayak Pictured Rocks two years ago for my 50th birthday. However things didn’t work out and we did not make it out there.

On July 15th 2023 my wife and I checked an item off our bucket list. While we were on our 3 week road trip through the Great Lakes area we spent several days in Michigan’s Upper Peninsula near Marquette. I personally fell in love with the area! Our bucket list item was to kayak Pictured Rocks National Lakeshore on Lake Superior. At home we mostly paddle flat water lakes and ponds here in New York and the Adirondack Park. Lake Superior is an entirely different animal!

We had decided to book a tour with “Pictured Rocks Kayaking” out of Munising, MI. Pictured Rocks Kayaking takes you about 40 minutes out on Lake Superior via their custom boat where they launch you from. We were broken into groups of twelve and each group had a guide, there were 4 groups this day. We would paddle Pictured Rocks through and past Painted Coves, Caves of all Colors, Lover’s Leap, Rainbow Cave, Battleship Rocks and finished 5 miles later at Chapel Rock where we would paddle back onto our boat for the return trip to Munising.

Our Tour was the “Ultimate Kayak Tour” what an amazing experience! Everyone except the guides used Necky Looksha 17′ tandem kayaks which were surprisingly comfortable I must admit. I’m no fan of a tandem kayak by any means. I personally would recommend “Pictured Rocks Kayaking”. The staff, crew & guides were amazing. This is a professional operation.

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Rise of the Dragonfly

Story by Dave Curtis original owner of Curtis Canoe & current owner of Hemlock Canoe:

The Dragonfly was originally a Curtis Canoe model designed by Harold Deal. After the closing of Curtis Canoe by then owner John Renner the mold was passed on to Paul Mayer at Colden Canoe and then ultimately on to Bill Swift at Swift Canoe & Kayak in Canada. The design has been mistakenly listed as a David Yost design, that is incorrect. The discussion for that design was started by Harold on a trip to BWCA (Boundary Waters Canoe Area in Minnesota) back in 1983 with David Yost & myself. It was the main topic of discussion all the way out and back. Several innovative features were discussed including the side shoulder. Upon return I asked Harold to send me a complete list of the features he wanted in this canoe and I forwarded them to David Yost and commissioned the building of the plug. The wood strip plug was then paddled extensively by Harold and some changes were made before building the mold. This design was originated by Harold to compete in the ACA (American Canoe Association) White Water Solo Combined Class (same equipment paddled in downriver as well as the slalom event). The first 2 Dragonflies were delivered to Harold at the 1984 White Water Nationals at Nantahala in North Carolina where Harold would dominate that class for at least a decade.

Harold’s original concept was a flat water design capable of whitewater. On a trip to everglades in the early 1990’s he suggested he wanted to do another similar design but rather a whitewater design capable of flat water. He said he wanted to flip-flop his idea. The result was the SRT (Solo River Tripper), which he designed and built the wood strip plug for, he & I then built that mold together. The SRT is currently available thru Hemlock Canoe Works.

By: Joe Geronimo:

Currently Swift Canoe & Kayak has the original Dragonfly mold and will only be producing 15 of these canoes unless they decide to invest in creating a new mold. Back in late May 2023 I was in contact with Bill Swift of Swift Canoe & Kayak in Gravenhurst Ontario Canada. Bill had a brand new Dragonfly for a customer in Pennsylvania outside of Pittsburgh. On the first weekend of June I was heading to the Western Pennsylvania Solo Canoe Rendezvous in Slippery Rock, PA just north of Pittsburgh. Bill and I came up with a plan to meet in Buffalo, NY where I would take possession of the Dragonfly and transport it to its owner at the event.

I personally have not ever paddled a Dragonfly and over the course of the weekend I spent sometime in the boat and fell in love with it. I loved it’s depth for my big feet (Size 13) as they easily slide under the seat for when I’m kneeling. It’s initial stability is really twitchy but the secondary stability is rock solid and I just love the narrowness of the boat. On the long drive home I had time to think and decided I wanted a Dragonfly. A few days later I contacted Bill and I ordered my Dragonfly. Instead of shipping it I will be heading up to Ontario in the beginning of September to pick it up and spend some time in Algonquin Park. Cannot wait for this adventure, cheers!

Front to Back: Colden Dragonfly, Swift Dragonfly and the original Curtis Dragonfly © Joe Geronimo.
Dustin Noel paddling his brand new Swift Dragonfly at the Western Pennsylvania Solo Canoe Rendezvous June 2023 © Joe Geronimo.
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September in the Adirondacks

September in the Adirondacks is just spectacular. Hardly any bugs plus night time temperatures are extremely comfortable for sleeping. Back in September 2022 myself and friend Gary spent several days camping at the Rollins Pond campground in New York’s Adirondack Park. We had amazing weather while there and on this particular day we found ourselves pond hopping from our campsite on Rollins Pond to Floodwood Pond, Middle Pond, Follensby Clear Pond, Fish Creek, Whey Pond, Rollins Pond and back to our campsite.

This was a long day but a fun day, hope you’ll join us!

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YouTube Shorts: Nine Mile Swamp

October is one of my favorite months to paddle especially here in New York. Recently myself and friend Marty set off on an afternoon adventure to paddle the Sangerfield River (Nine Mile Swamp) in Hubbardsville, NY. I’ve been wanting to do this now for a few years but always forget it is there. If you’ve followed my posts or just know me you’d see that I’m pretty obsessed with the Adirondacks.

This 7 mile round trip adventure has some neat landscapes. As the river twisted and turned slowly making our way to a point where it would narrow so much that we had to stop and back out as we weren’t able to turn our boats around.

Autumn in New York is beautiful!

Canoes:

Hemlock Canoe Works: Eaglet

Northstar Canoes: Phoenix

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Adirondack Canoe Route: Rock Pond

We were sitting around the campfire, sipping whiskey from our new “Hornbeck Boats” whiskey glasses, pondering the next days adventure here in the Adirondacks. While we were poring over our maps we discovered a possible canoe route that did not appear to be marked on the map. A few more sips of whiskey and we decided that we would attempt this adventure.

The next morning we woke to a soft blanket of fog over Rollins Pond. A small crackling fire, a roaring jetboil and the aroma of coffee began to awaken our senses for adventure. Once most of the fog had lifted we set out on the placid waters of Rollins Pond with our sights set on Rock Pond. Where we would encounter low water, mud, beaver dams and a foot bridge.

Will you join us for our journey?

Note: There are no campsites on Rock Pond or the Rock Pond Outlet.

Canoes: Hornbeck New Tricks 14’s

Cameras: DJI Osmo Action, iPhone 13, Canon EOS 90D

Video footage: Joe Geronimo & Gary Sharp

Music: Epidemic Sound https://www.epidemicsound.com/

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St. Regis Canoe Area of the Adirondacks…

Earlier this month myself and friend Gary Sharp spent several days camping at the Rollins Pond campground outside of Tupper Lake, NY. That morning as I left my home a light rain was falling however the further north I drove the rain began to dissipate. Over the next several days we were rewarded with blue skies and lots of sunshine. Temperatures would barely top 80 degrees and most importantly little to no bugs. September and October are my two favorite months of the year.

One of those days we would meet up with our friend Kim Wilkes and her pooch “Winnie” for an afternoon pond hopping adventure in the St. Regis Canoe Area of the Adirondacks. I’ve paddled and camped on these ponds before but they never get old.

The weather was sunny and warm with just a slight breeze if any. The water was refreshing and perfect for an afternoon swim. Below is a link to a video from the day.

Cheers!

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Greetings from the Adirondacks!

It has been a while since I have last written but that does not mean I haven’t been busy. Seemingly time has flown by since the last flakes of winter melted into the greens of spring. As for paddling that has been somewhat quiet this year but back in July I was able to sneak away for an overnight canoe camping adventure in the Adirondacks with my friend Scott. We found this amazing campsite and pitched our tents for the night, the weather was absolutely perfect. During the overnight temperatures got down into the low 40’s which for me is perfect sleeping weather, I even brought wool socks. This was a relaxing adventure and just what the doctor ordered. Chef Ireland cooked some amazing steaks over the fire, we sipped a little Bearface whiskey and enjoyed a few New York State beers as well.

I’m headed for another Adirondack adventure next week as we head into two of my favorite months September and October.

In the essence of #tbt for your viewing pleasure is the video from my Youtube channel of this overnight canoe camping trip. As time allows I will post/write about other adventures that I have documented either in the past or current. I hope you all have enjoyed the summer as we inch closer to fall.

Cheers!