T-Storms Can't Steal My Mahi Burger!

Tonight was the boathouse trip to Surf City!

There were supposed to be 10 of us but someone snuck in last minute (they should not have done that and it was discussed) so we were 11.

We paddled across the river, had an amazing dinner, then paddled back.

It's all timed with the currents and everything has to happen within a certain timeframe.

I was a trip lead assistant, which I am enjoying very much. And I was also the one who noticed someone snuck on the trip without signing up, which happened on the water as we were leaving the embayment.

It's a safety issue and isn't supposed to happen.

There were some problematic t-storms before we left, we almost didn't go-- but I remained in my denial mindset because I really, REALLY needed a mahi burger.

We decided to go for it, and the storms never showed up in our path.

Boats all prepped and waiting........

'

That sky was ominous......

Across the river......

Quick stop at the Colgate Clock.......

SURF CITY!!!

Oh, we all LOVE Surf City!

Being around good people is so important!

Oh my god it is so good....

And yes I also got dessert.

Which I never do. But I had to.

It was worth it!

9:30pm the tide changed to our direction, going north, so it was time to leave.

Pulling out of Surf City.......

Back to the Colgate Clock to wait on passing ferries and party boats.

And the Hot Tub Boat.

There is actually a Hot Tub Boat.

Next time I will get a picture of it.

I LOVE being on the river at night!

River crossing time back: 10 minutes!

The Double Transit Nightmare

This morning we went on an early morning paddle up the river to Gansevoort Beach.

I LOVE being on the river early mornings!

Yesterday I also got to the boathouse early to paddle laps- the water was super choppy and difficult with lots of wind! NOT peaceful! I got 8 laps in, it took an hour and was quite the workout!

This morning the river was quiet and calm. 

We left on a slack current and came home on a south current which took 16 minutes!

Way off in the distance here you can see the Statue of Liberty and the Verrazzano Narrows Bridge.

*******

Originally I was signed up for both public program shifts, because I was also booked for the hotline and figured I would not do the back-and-forth.

But that 4am wake up got to me, and since there was enough volunteer coverage for both shifts, I signed out and made my way home to rest before the hotline.

I'm not doing Saturday shifts anymore; it always messes up my weekend.

I thought it would coordinate better with the boathouse but next month I'm switching back to a Sunday for my weekend shift.

So anyhow, there was an unauthorized person on the tracks and the E train- and all the trains in both directions- were taken out of service so the MTA could power down the tracks and remove the trespassing person.

It took me THREE HOURS (usually it's about an hour) to get home- between waiting in the train and then I just had to walk home which took a good 40 minutes. 

The buses were a mess, and crowded, and I would have to wait, so the most guaranteed option was just to walk it.

I got home, reset and took a nap.

Left on time for the hotline.

THREE MINUTES after i went into the train station, another announcement was posted--- ANOTHER unauthorized person was in the tracks! (Or was it the SAME interloper??) 

The whole thing all over again.

I knew immediately everything would be shut down for a long time, and I was right.

(Taking the bus in wasn't an option. Not only was everyone doing that, it would take 2 1/2 hours AT LEAST to get into Manhattan!)

I called the hotline office- they said take an uber and they will pay for it, so I did.

How crazy is that to get stuck in the same situation twice back-to-back!

At least I wasn't stuck in the tunnel with no way to communicate... and I did end up being on time for my shift.

I am NOT doing hotline Saturdays anymore!

Smallpox Hospital, Again

Today Janae and I went to Roosevelt Island to paint the smallpox hospital.

I have painted it a few times... in subzero temps and today, in 90 degrees.

This heat is awful!

9x12 oil

Today I wanted to focus on large shapes and masses instead of a more linear drawing approach.

I like working like this; it saves time and kept me from getting too focused on small details.

There was a cat hanging out.

******

On the way to paint, Janae and I stopped at a hotel (I think that's what it is?) for the restroom.

If you ever want to be stared at in the bathroom, this is the place to go!

2 Paintings & a Pelican Yelled at Me

Janae and I are having a summer painting sleepover!

It was her turn to come over to my place.

I made a decision that today we were going on my painting timeframe, which is always a lot faster than everyone else, except Thor, Pete, and David..... I'm always waiting when I paint with others who are less experienced, and today it was just too hot... so, my timeframe.

First we went down to the wildlife refuge.

It was 90 degrees out......

8x10 oil

Janae took this picture of me... and I actually like it!

Usually I look really stupid when I'm painting, I either am making a weird face or I'm standing in a strange way......

This panting took an hour and a half, and i got rudely and loudly yelled at by a very large passing pelican!

I wasn't fast enough to get his picture when he was right in front of me..... he was huge! And loud!

There was a swan family...

Then we went down to Far Rockaway to paint some more.

This is about a 50 minute painting, 8x10 oil

I was going to put people in it, but then the beach authority people chased them out of the water and also the scaling was wrong.

I do need to do a people on the beach painting but it needs to have the right scaling and a zoomed out view. Next time!

8x10 oil

The sky was good but the sunset was not great.

Brackish

This morning I woke up early to get on the water early.

I still got down to the boathouse later than I wanted, but it was early enough.

I paddled 12 laps, which by rough embayment lap distance is about 10 miles.

I did this last Thursday too, it takes me a little less than 2 hours.

The water is so quiet and peaceful early in the morning.  I took my morning tea out with me.  

It's a great way to start the day.

This morning's bagel bag.

Mark always gets me a salt bagel.

This morning he even put it on top so I didn't have to take out all the other bagels to find the salt one.

There is something about a salt bagel that is just so perfect...

I only need one, or half of one, a week during boathouse season.

It's how I maintain my brackish aura.

Here is the C train stopped in the tunnel before pulling into Canal St, just because.

And more RAIN RAIN RAIN......

 

Graffiti in DUMBO

Kedrin has been talking about a jungle in Brooklyn on her biking path.

She said, It would be a great spot to paint!

We have been talking about this for about 2 years, and today was the day!

This was fun; I want to paint more graffiti.

8x10 oil

Kedrin sat in the jungle and painted.