Did you know that?

 

The historic Clearwater sloop was not allowed to participate in the ships parade in NY harbor on July 4, 2026. It took part in the bicentennial sail parade in 1976!  The banners on its sail say "Indigenous Rights, Racial Justice, and Climate Solutions."

 

"In 1966, folk singer Pete Seeger and a group of activists decided to “build a boat to save the river,” envisioning that a sloop would bring people to the shoreline and inspire a movement to protect the Hudson River. Three years later, Clearwater set sail with a mission to save the Hudson through education, advocacy, and sailing. Today, Hudson River Sloop Clearwater remains resolute in this mission, and to date, more than half a million people have had the life-changing experience of sailing aboard the Clearwater. Learn more: https://www.clearwater.org/ "

Clearwater sailing in the 1976 Bicentennial. Credit: Nick DeWolf

The Hudson River Sloop Clearwater posted this:

"We’ve been moved by the outpouring of support, solidarity, and messages we’ve received over the past several days from across the Hudson Valley and beyond.

After being invited to participate by event organizers of Sail4th 250, Clearwater sailed in the July 3rd Class B Parade, and commenced sailing in the July 4 Parade of Sail. About an hour after the parade began, Clearwater was directed by the U.S. Coast Guard to leave the parade route. When asked why, they cited the presence of banners reading "Save the Clean Water Act" and "Indigenous Rights, Racial Justice, Climate Solutions.” Neither the participation agreement nor the Captain's Handbook prohibited these banners, and we were never given the option to remove them and continue participating.

To learn more about what happened and how the day unfolded aboard the sloop, read our open letter from Executive Director David Toman and Captain Rory Kane.

Read the letter: https://www.clearwater.org/.../sail4th-250-parade-of.../

For more than 55 years, Clearwater has sailed the Hudson River carrying people, music, and a message of clean water, environmental stewardship, and hope. That work continues every time we set sail. Thank you for being part of this community and for standing with us."

Over 400 members of the Patriot Front neo-Nazi group march through Washington D.C. on the 4th of July. They're from Texas.

A bit of North Carolina lore and there's Black Mountain!

Helen, Linda and Judy take part in a conversation at Ole's Guacamole for lunch on Tuesday. Of course I'd only known Teresa and Helen would be there! Nice surprise to see others too, as a kind of going-away gathering.

Teresa and myself!

My lunch, chicken with spinach and mushrooms in a creamy sauce with rice...Pechugua Fundida

Teresa's salad, Rosita. I got a couple of the shrimp. That's what friends do!