NOLS Alumni Gather at the Boat Basin Café

Nine National Outdoor Leadership School Alumni living in the New York metropolitan area gathered for drinks and dinner at the Boat Basin Café, Riverside Drive and 79th Street, Thursday, September 17th (photo right). After first one, then two, and then three at the bar grew to four or five we moved to a table on the balcony overlooking the Hudson and were treated to a beautiful sunset. Eventually we numbered nine: three Johns, Lori, Gint, Kate, Michael, Mac and Elizabeth. Kate was a newbie and this was the first time I met one of the John’s.

Food was consumed. Beer was drunk. No trail maps were laid out on the table but two copies of NOLS Cookery did make an appearance, and Lori, Michael and Gint finalized plans for an upcoming trip to the Catskills while Elizabeth prepped for upcoming job interviews in Boston. Gint informed us that he now has his own apartment not far from the Boat Basin Café.

The next gathering will be the BIG NOLS NYC Reunion, Thursday, October 15, 2009 7:00-9:30 PM at Patagonia SoHo, 101 Wooster St, when NOLS Instructor Rob Walker will present a program about his six-month, 1,850-mile kayak traverse of Chilean Patagonia. Everyone, even folks that have never taken a NOLS course, are not married to a NOLS Alumni, and may never have heard of NOLS is welcomed. A $10 donation at the door would be appreciated. To RSVP, call 800-332-4280.