photos
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Highlands Current: Shanty on the River
Highlands Current By Ross Corsair Wes Modes and Lauren Benz, accompanied by Hazel the dog, are sailing down the Hudson River to New York City aboard a shanty boat. We caught up with them on July 15 in Kingston, a few days before they passed the Highlands to dock in Haverstraw, opposite Croton. Modes and…
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Interview with Mary Liz and Paul Stewart about the Underground Railroad History Project they co-instigate
Interview with Mary Liz and Paul Stewart about the Underground Railroad History Project they co-instigate
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Lovely to interview Mary Liz and Paul Stewart from the Underground Railroad Project in Albany, NY. We were able to catch them after their presentation at the Black History conference at HRMM. undergroundrailroadhistory.org/
Lovely to interview Mary Liz and Paul Stewart from the Underground Railroad Project in Albany, NY. We were able to catch them after their presentation at the Black History conference at HRMM. undergroundrailroadhistory.org/
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In the Riverport Wooden Boat School (part of the Hudson River Maritime Museum) people are building big and little boats
In the Riverport Wooden Boat School (part of the Hudson River Maritime Museum) people are building big and little boats
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Benzy’s photo of the Hudson Lighthouse as we were returning too late and too dark across the river from Athens
Benzy’s photo of the Hudson Lighthouse as we were returning too late and too dark across the river from Athens
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We mist have arrived at Rondout Creek in Kingston because here is the beautiful Clearwater Sloop
We mist have arrived at Rondout Creek in Kingston because here is the beautiful Clearwater Sloop
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Interview with Leo Bower. We talked about the town of Hudson, the Fugary shantytown and the characters who lived there
Interview with Leo Bower. We talked about the town of Hudson, the Fugary shantytown and the characters who lived there, redevelopment, and changes in town
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In Hudson NY there are over 120 Bangladeshi families, some of whom maintain a community garden along the river down by the Shacks. Seeing the women’s bright clothes among the rich greens of the garden was beautiful
In Hudson NY there are over 120 Bangladeshi families, some of whom maintain a community garden along the river down by the Shacks. Seeing the women’s bright clothes among the rich greens of the garden was beautiful
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The mysteries of low tide. This is the first we’ve been in a tidal river
The mysteries of low tide. This is the first we’ve been in a tidal river
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Exploring Hudson’s Fugery Boat Club, i.e., the North Dock Tin Boat Association or just the Shacks. A hundred year old collection of shanties whose occupants were evicted in 2013
Exploring Hudson’s Fugery Boat Club, i.e., the North Dock Tin Boat Association or just the Shacks. A hundred year old collection of shanties whose occupants were evicted in 2013
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Spencer met us at the dock when we arrived in Hudson and was charming and helpful while we were there. He also told delightfully funny drunk stories
Spencer met us at the dock when we arrived in Hudson and was charming and helpful while we were there. He also told delightfully funny drunk stories
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This is my selfie of the captain of the Dotty, a kinda Cap’n Bly character
This is my selfie of the captain of the Dotty, a kinda Cap’n Bly character
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At ör in downtown Hudson. Beer and pool at noon on a hot day
At ör in downtown Hudson. Beer and pool at noon on a hot day
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So far, we are impressed by Hudson‘s necklace a beautiful parks above the bluff. Hudsons middle-of-the-river lighthouse in the background
So far, we are impressed by Hudson‘s necklace a beautiful parks above the bluff. Hudsons middle-of-the-river lighthouse in the background
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Seeking to understand new places as we move through them
Seeking to understand new places as we move through them
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Dear Yachters, you are responsible for your wake when you damage other people’s boats, and you are why we hate yachters. How many ways can you interpret “No Wake Zone?
Dear Yachters, you are responsible for your wake when you damage other people’s boats, and you are why we hate yachters. How many ways can you interpret “No Wake Zone?
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Miranda’s Deli in Albany, which was recommended to us by a passerby, has a long line at lunchtime
Miranda’s Deli in Albany, which was recommended to us by a passerby, has a long line at lunchtime
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Loitering under the Livingston Ave Swing Bridge built in 1866 and replaced in 1901. We talked to Steve who operated the bridge
Loitering under the Livingston Ave Swing Bridge built in 1866 and replaced in 1901. We talked to Steve who operated the bridge
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After we started drinking at 10am in his birthday, Miah agreed to his next tat
After we started drinking at 10am in his birthday, Miah agreed to his next tat
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Interview with Chris Callaghan who organizes the Steamboat Meet and the Tugboat Roundup at the Waterford Harbor
Interview with Chris Callaghan who organizes the Steamboat Meet and the Tugboat Roundup at the Waterford Harbor
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Interview with Virginia Clarkson who told us all about growing up in the Bronx and made her way to Waterford
Interview with Virginia Clarkson who told us all about growing up in the Bronx and made her way to Waterford
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Greeting party at the Rusty Anchor floating barge bar in Troy NY
Greeting party at the Rusty Anchor floating barge bar in Troy NY
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Interview with Sean, Jess, Ayla, and Mia who talked about living in small town Upstate New York
Interview with Sean, Jess, Ayla, and Mia who talked about living in small town Upstate New York
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Welcome our new shipmate Jeremiah who has been on all five Secret History expeditions since 2014
Welcome our new shipmate Jeremiah who has been on all five Secret History expeditions since 2014
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V, Shonica, and Carlos brought us breakfast. In exchange, we got them addicted to good espresso
V, Shonica, and Carlos brought us breakfast. In exchange, we got them addicted to good espresso
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“We came upon a rickety house raft… putting upstream powered by an old outboard and piloted by a wrinkled, sun-tanned old man
“We came upon a rickety house raft… putting upstream powered by an old outboard and piloted by a wrinkled, sun-tanned old man
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All of Bill’s friend join him on the tug to view the fireworks
All of Bill’s friend join him on the tug to view the fireworks
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Exhibition in Waterford: more people than you can shake a stick at. Including my old Jr High school friend, Corey
Exhibition in Waterford: more people than you can shake a stick at. Including my old Jr High school friend, Corey
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Exhibition in Waterford: 99 people in the log, but probably three times as many through the boat today
Exhibition in Waterford: 99 people in the log, but probably three times as many through the boat today
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An hour hanging out on the back deck of the shantyboat with folklorist George Ward Who told us stories and sang us canal songs
An hour hanging out on the back deck of the shantyboat with folklorist George Ward Who told us stories and sang us canal songs
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The Erie Canal starts (or ends, depending on your point of view) in Waterford New York. So big, imposing, and well-dressed, it looks like a set piece
The Erie Canal starts (or ends, depending on your point of view) in Waterford New York. So big, imposing, and well-dressed, it looks like a set piece
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Benzy as First Mate has been keeping the ship’s log. I love this. It is charming and she writes in the third person
Benzy as First Mate has been keeping the ship’s log. I love this. It is charming and she writes in the third person
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Steamboat Meet at Waterford NY. Tiny tiny little steam powered beasties
Steamboat Meet at Waterford NY. Tiny tiny little steam powered beasties
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In north Troy, old money houses like these, clearly having seen better times, were next door to double wides
In north Troy, old money houses like these, clearly having seen better times, were next door to double wides
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After 18 years, I finally get to meet John Young and his awesome family
After 18 years, I finally get to meet John Young and his awesome family
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The shantyboat art gallery and Jeremiah Daniels Executive Washroom. Art by Sascha, Gina, Butch, Maxine, Lanette, and Jessika
The shantyboat art gallery and Jeremiah Daniels Executive Washroom. Art by Sascha, Gina, Butch, Maxine, Lanette, and Jessika
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Best date night ever. Fireworks exploding all around us, playing cards, listening to marching band music to mask the fireworks for @gooddoghazel
Best date night ever. Fireworks exploding all around us, playing cards, listening to marching band music to mask the fireworks for @gooddoghazel
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Shipmate John Young successfully completes his first certified under-over. Now he can be a roadie
Shipmate John Young successfully completes his first certified under-over. Now he can be a roadie
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Proud captain of the Shantyboat Dotty @originalsportkilt
Proud captain of the Shantyboat Dotty @originalsportkilt
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Nearly played bingo. Apparently you have to show up on time because all the cards are sold within a few minutes
Nearly played bingo. Apparently you have to show up on time because all the cards are sold within a few minutes
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What happened down here? Half a block from the waterfront, what I had to have been the center of commerce or industry, now empty lots and ugly blocks of what look like low income housing
What happened down here? Have a block from the waterfront, what I had to have been the center of commerce or industry, now empty lots and ugly blocks of what look like low income housing
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Thompson‘s camp. People apparently still sit on porches here, though I don’t see many of them on this very hot afternoon
Thompson‘s camp. People apparently still sit on porches here, though I don’t see many of them on this very hot afternoon
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While there is lots of old abandoned stuff around, some of the new abandoned stuff is intriguing
While there is lots of old abandoned stuff around, some of the new abandoned stuff is intriguing
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A river runs through it. Anthony Kill winds through Mechanicville
A river runs through it. Anthony Kill winds through Mechanicville
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We sadly say fare-thee-well to our shipmates Ariel and Sascha
We sadly say fare-thee-well to our shipmates Ariel and Sascha
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Little beach campfire along the shore of the Hudson River
Little beach campfire along the shore of the Hudson River
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Thinking more about environmental toxins
“For over 45 years, Hudson River Sloop Clearwater has been at the forefront of the environmental movement as champion of the Hudson River, working to pass landmark legislation like the Clean Water Act, and providing innovative educational programs, environmental advocacy, and musical celebrations, including the renowned annual Clearwater Festival, to inspire, educate, and activate millions…
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Back alleys of Schuylerville NY. We stopped for 1) ice cream, 2) a sandwich, 3) a few groceries, 4) a quick shower, 5) a load of wash
Back alleys of Schuylerville NY. We stopped for 1) ice cream, 2) a sandwich, 3) a few groceries, 4) a quick shower, 5) a load of wash
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Please welcome our new shipmates Sascha and Ariel who joined us just before we left Ft Edward
Please welcome our new shipmates Sascha and Ariel who joined us just before we left Ft Edward
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We found an old bridge across a little creek in an inlet on the Hudson. Benzy asks: “But is it authentic?
We found an old bridge across a little creek in an inlet on the Hudson. Benzy asks: “But is it authentic?
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This is where 1.3 million pounds of PCBs were discharged into the Hudson River
Benzy says: “This is where approximately 1.3 million pounds of PCBs were discharged into the Hudson River from two General Electric (GE) capacitor manufacturing plants located in the towns of Fort Edward and Hudson Falls, New York prior to 1977 when PCBs were banned. This explains the lack of fishing, swimming and boats. GE has…
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Secret History shantyboat in Fort Edward’s Yacht Basin
Secret History shantyboat in Fort Edward’s Yacht Basin
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Arrived in Fort Edward Yacht Basin where the seawall dwarfs us a bit
Arrived in Fort Edward Yacht Basin where the seawall dwarfs us a bit
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Results of a 1am emergency loft skeeter netting encapsulation project. Despite the rain, apparently we had posted up in Mosquito Central near Lock 8
Results of a 1am emergency loft skeeter netting encapsulation project. Despite the rain, apparently we had posted up in Mosquito Central near Lock 8
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Posted up right under the surprisingly fancy signal at Lock 8 for the night
Posted up right under the surprisingly fancy signal at Lock 8 for the night
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Interview with Brian Abrams, Chief Lock Operator at Lock 9 on the Champlain Canal, who talked about his 21 years on the NY Canal System
Interview with Brian Abrams, Chief Lock Operator at Lock 9 on the Champlain Canal, who talked about his 21 years on the NY Canal System
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Shantyboat moored at Lock 9 on the Champlain Canel
Shantyboat moored at Lock 9 on the Champlain Canel
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Traffic stopped on bridge over the canal to watch us go by
Traffic stopped on bridge over the canal to watch us go by
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We are under way. Down the Champlain Canal after ascending in Lock 12
We are under way. Down the Champlain Canal after ascending in Lock 12
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New deck cleat plates and the tools required to install them
New deck cleat plates and the tools required to install them
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Because we have so many cool old stone buildings we can use them for coal storage
Because we have so many cool old stone buildings we can use them for coal storage
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Hazel hero shot. Contemplating her soon-to-be nautical life
Hazel hero shot. Contemplating her soon-to-be nautical life
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First cup of coffee sitting on the deck in sunshine at Whitehall Marina above the Champlain Canal
First cup of coffee sitting on the deck in sunshine at Whitehall Marina above the Champlain Canal
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We arrived in Whitehall NY at Lock 11 after 3038 miles and only a few near catastrophes
We arrived in Whitehall NY at Lock 11 after 3038 miles and only a few near catastrophes
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Fuck Indiana roads
Fuck Indiana roads. Are they trying to rival California’s notoriously shitty roads? It shakes the shit out of our teeth and sends the boat into dangerous oscillations
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Flooding in West Central Illinois on the Illinois River
Flooding in West Central Illinois on the Illinois River
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Ceremonial witchcraft to salute the deer people who have died here
Ceremonial witchcraft to salute the deer people who have died here
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Keeping the driver awake with lurid and prurient tales
Keeping the driver awake with lurid and prurient tales: “She rolled over again, pushed a mass of inky hair away from her eyes, and surveyed her body with the satisfaction in which there was nothing of smugness. She knew it was a good body, a lovely body. It was too early for her to have…
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Shantyboat life at the Continental Divide. Stop and make coffee for the new driver. A beer for the one going off shift
Shantyboat life at the Continental Divide. Stop and make coffee for the new driver. A beer for the one going off shift
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The landscape of Wyoming is so powerful and evocative
The landscape of Wyoming is so powerful and evocative, it makes me imagine riding a horse over the prairie when I don’t even like riding horses
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Shantyboat at the Thunder Mountain Indian Monument along I80 in Nevada. A monument to native suffering at the hands of white folk
Shantyboat at the Thunder Mountain Indian Monument along I80 in Nevada. A monument to native suffering at the hands of white folk
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Images printed on silk for Secret History NYC show
Images printed on silk for Secret History NYC show
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Secret History photos printed on silk organza for NYC show at @whiteboxny
Secret History photos printed on silk organza for NYC show at @whiteboxny
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Treating the edges of several hundred feet of Secret History photos for our NYC exhibition at @whiteboxny
Treating the edges of several hundred feet of Secret History photos for our NYC exhibition at @whiteboxny
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Now from Redwood House Labs comes the Trailer Tester™! For the first time, you can test your trailer lights and brakes solo even without your vehicle
Now from Redwood House Labs comes the Trailer Tester™! For the first time, you can test your trailer lights and brakes solo even without your vehicle
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The Goodmans, Brett and Andi in the Felton Remembers Parade
The Goodmans, Brett and Andi in the Felton Remembers Parade
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Evidence of at least five different shantyboat projects on the Redwood House lab workbench
Evidence of at least five different shantyboat projects on the Redwood House lab workbench
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Benzy and I host an impromptu all-night solder party to work on various projects including an intra-boat telephone system for the shantyboat
Benzy and I host an impromptu all-night solder party to work on various projects including an intra-boat telephone system for the shantyboat