Photos so far...

Photos from the the Flickr stream of Lopi LaRoe.

Scenic Saugerties

Greetings from a lovely B&B break from the boat in Saugerties, NY! I've finally gotten the ability to blog, the time, and the internets so here goes!

Wow, where to start. It's hard to believe it's already been over a week on the water. This morning we awoke very early on a small strip of beach somewhere a few miles past "BBQ island" -- a great little respite we had near the town of Coxsackie (I'm not making that one up). We had to hustle to get the steam boat fired up and everyone's stuff loaded aboard or we'd be beached during low tide and this wasn't a place anyone wanted to spend the day. Once we broke free from shore we had one of the most pleasant, smooth and quick trips yet. Within a few hours we could spot the Saugerties' lighthouse ahead and landed there easily.

I have my camera with me but, unfortunately, the cable between it and the computer is still on the boat, so I'll have to post the photos later. The lighthouse is stunning. A real beauty that was slated to be torn down in the 1960's when old things from the 1800's just weren't appreciated.

We've been getting so much attention and appreciation from everyone we come across. There are endless opportunities for us whistle happy steam dorks to blow our whistle. Traveling along such an old and historic river is so different and such a step back in time. All the cities we've stopped in were built when the Hudson was the only thoroughfare and it is so fun to disembark at a place like Albany or Athens (were the locals told us they built steam boats there 150 years ago) and wander around the city from the angle of the river.

Knock on wood, but we haven't had any mechanical problems thus far. Some of the other boats have had some issues, but have been remedied quickly by their clever crews. There are so many people on this project that I haven't even gotten everyone's names yet, but it's a fun and quirky group of artists, mechanics and performers. Camping has been fun -- not too much rain and the mosquitoes aren't too bad if you cover up and wear some repellent, but they'll find any bare skin and suck it dry if you let them. Falling asleep and waking up on the river is so lovely. I knew the Hudson River was pretty but I didn't realize ALL of it would be so beautiful. Oh, and we've seen two bald eagles so far!

The clock in the bed and breakfast is ringing 6pm which means it's time to get ready and head back down to the boat for tonight's performance. Something we didn't realize is that we're actors in this big production as well. The play has been really fun and getting better all the time. We're pretty much playing ourselves on the boats which look lovely lit up at night.

We leave in the tomorrow morning for Kingston, where the Maritime Museum is located. Should be great fun. I'm looking forward to sleeping in my king size bed with clean sheets tonight!

STEAMBOATING Magazine features KSW

The July/August issue of Steamboating Magazine, a publication of the "International Steamboat Society" features a two page article with Spy's press release, and the entire back cover is devoted to a photo of KSW's pre art installation "Wilhelmina." This shot was taken by John Woodson at the B + W Resort, John Lucas, Captain.

NY Times: A Floating City With Junkyard Roots

On the front page of today's New York Times, KSW's own Stephen Rademaker silhouetted against the orange glowing rectangle of burning bio-diesel in the firebox. The front page of the Arts section featured an article about Kinetic Steam Works and the Swimming Cities of Switchback Sea! Julie Bloom reported the article and Nathaniel Brooks shot the gorgeous photos. Note the John Bull Topper wearing lad (Zachary Rukstela) in the lead photo of KSW's boat ghosting along the Hudson with the sunset reflected in her wake. Article is here. Slideshow is here.