Journeys down the Hudson in record time
On their final day on the river, Brendan Davis and Kirk Muir Horton paddled their inflatable canoe alongside Manhattan Island. As they looked south, they could see the Statue of Liberty, which grew larger with every stroke.
Finally, as they powered their way past the tip of the island, the current and waves grew stronger. The harbor was filled with an array of small pleasure craft. Among them was an elegant sailboat with a couple on deck sipping glasses of wine.
The contrast was striking. There was nothing elegant about the two men in the canoe. They had been on the river for 14 days, traveling from one end to the other. As far as they knew, they had made the fastest journey in the history of the Hudson.
Brendan and Kirk found a calm patch of water in front of the statue. They sat for a moment contemplating the success of their venture. Then they did what any record-breakers would do. They opened a bottle of champagne and celebrated.
An author might write a book about the experience.
A composer might translate the river’s many moods into a symphony.
Brendan Davis is a professional film-maker. He brought his camera on the trip and produced a short feature that is being shown at film festivals. You can watch it by going to https://brendanpdavis.com/The-River-that-Flows-Both-Ways.
The purpose of the 16-minute movie might surprise you. Brendan Davis explained it when we spoke on the phone last week. He’s living in Boulder, Colorado. But he grew up in New York. He was the president of Cornwall’s Class of 2013 and the captain of the cross country team.
“I loved growing up in Cornwall,” he told me. “I couldn’t think of a better place to do it. And the film is a reflection of that part of my life. I wanted people to see the river through my eyes.”
Viewers see the river and some interesting folks along the way. The canoers thumb a ride from a couple celebrating their 40th anniversary. Later, a rafting company guide tries to help them get through the rapids where the Indian and Hudson Rivers converge. Despite his help, the canoe bangs against a rock and suffers a tear. The damage doesn’t end the trip, but it causes a 12-hour delay.
The two young men meet Captain John, a watchdog for Riverkeeper who is on the lookout for pollution.
And they spend an evening at the Davis home in Cornwall, where everyone seems to be laughing and having a good time.
The spirit of the home visit persists throughout the film. It’s fun to watch. You may not want to duplicate the journey, but I think you’ll enjoy seeing two other people do it.
