NPR's Brian Mann paddled the Ausable River in northern New York on a summer day to swim on wild sand beaches that stretch along Lake Champlain's shore.
We may be in the final stretch of summer, but there is still time to get outdoors and, if you're lucky, find a place to swim. NPR's Brian Mann spent a day paddling a wild river in northern New York searching for the perfect sand beach.
BRIAN MANN, BYLINE: It is a scorching hot August day, and I am drifting with the current down the Ausable River.
MANN: The Ausable River in far upstate New York winds through forest, then a delta wetland lush with birds. A woodpecker knocks in the trees.
MANN: Then a kingfisher flits past, bobbing and chattering just above the water.
MANN: There's a great blue heron that just lifted off over the marsh.
Most of the paddle, I'm by myself, but just shy of where the river opens onto Lake Champlain, a woman in a bright yellow kayak paddles up to me. Bonnie Powers grew up in this area. She's 65 years old. I ask if she paddles a lot by herself, and she grins and nods.
BONNIE POWERS: It's just in me to do it. I just love it.
MANN: She says this river is a favorite with its silver maple trees and the lipstick-red cardinal flowers blossoming along the bank.
POWERS: It's like a fix for me to be out in nature, be peaceful and think and not have clutter in your head.
MANN: After chatting a while, we paddle our separate ways, and soon the river changes.
MANN: It's like a curtain opening, and there's the big lake and the green mountains of Vermont on the far side, just this huge, sweeping view – blue sky and kind of a summer shimmer to everything.
MANN: I make my way along the shore where the lake shallows.
MANN: The sand is the color of amber, feels amazing on my bare feet.
MANN: After beaching the canoe, it's finally time to dive in.
