Andy Arthur.
Canoeing at Lawson Lake.
Visiting a county park with my canoe and dog near the Alcove Reservoir.
August 30, 2009.
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Lawson Lake is a County Park located about 3 miles north of the Alcove Reservior that is a popular local place to go canoeing, fishing, and swimming (although posted against swimming). It is located just off of Route 32, about a mile prior to passing the Alcove.
I frequently go down there canoeing when a have an hour or two to burn up, but don't want to drive a few more miles out to Partridge Run to canoe on some of those lakes. Lawson Lake is located in a beautiful valley as you can see.
Paddling Around the Lake. Now where's Eli? He's fast asleep at the bottom of the canoe!
Lawson Lake on August 30, 2009.
Kodak Z7590 Zoom Digital Camera, Exposure: 1/800 sec, Aperature: f/4.0, ISO 80, Focal Length: 38mm.
Usually when I go out canoeing, I bring the dog with me to help balance the canoe. Usually he is quite well behaved, except when he's not. He understands left and right, front, and sit.
Dog at the Bow. When I go out canoeing solo I usually bring the dog, Eli, along to balance out the canoe at the bow (front). Despite him looking out over the bow to see what is ahead of the canoe, he is usually very well behaved and loves going in the canoe.
Lawson Lake on August 30, 2009.
Kodak Z7590 Zoom Digital Camera, Exposure: 1/500 sec, Aperature: f/2.8, ISO 80, Focal Length: 38mm.
Here is the dog sitting down and looking out over the side of the canoe.
The edge of the pond is quite swampy, but with lots of wildlife, including great blue fishers, beavers, snapping turtles and other animals.
Pond's Edge.
Lawson Lake on August 30, 2009.
Kodak Z7590 Zoom Digital Camera, Exposure: 1/800 sec, Aperature: f/7.1, ISO 400, EV -2/3, Focal Length: 380mm.
Along the edge of the pond are Pond Lillis that can be a bit difficult to paddle through. Good place for fishing, I'm sure.
Paddling through Pond Lilies. As a solo canoeist with the dog, it can be a little bit difficult padling through heavier pond lilies. That said, I'm an experienced canoer, and it doesn't bother me much.
Lawson Lake on August 30, 2009.
Kodak Z7590 Zoom Digital Camera, Exposure: 1/800 sec, Aperature: f/6.3, ISO 400, Focal Length: 59mm.
My little Ford Ranger pickup truck has a 6 foot short-bed. Yet, at least with one of the canoes my parents own, it fits well in the truck is well balanced. The canoe is held down by the truck cap, and tied in with a set of Bunche Cords. It rides increadibly beautiful — I've taken it over very bumpy state truck trails with no problems at Partridge Run, and driven dozens of miles at high speed like this.
15 Foot Canoe in a 6 Foot Bed. Amazingly enough this 15 foot canoe balances well on the bed, when you calculate in the extra foot for the tailgate, and the downward pressure from the truck cap keeping it in place rather nicely.
Lawson Lake on August 30, 2009.
Kodak Z7590 Zoom Digital Camera, Exposure: 1/500 sec, Aperature: f/2.8, ISO 400, Focal Length: 38mm.
Here is a map. It's very easy to get there from Albany, and probably even a quicker drive then out to Partridge Run.
“The policy of the state shall be to conserve and protect its natural resources and scenic beauty and encourage the development and improvement of its agricultural lands for the production of food and other agricultural products.”
— Article 14, Section 4 NY State Constitution