I recently came across a fascinating 1998 journal of an 18-day Hudson River paddle by Times-Union writer, Fred LeBrun.  From the river’s source near Lake Tear of Clouds in the Adirondacks to its convergence with Atlantic waters in New York Harbor, Lebrun documents in vivid detail the changing landscape, the challenges of river-borne travel, and personal insights along a 306-mile journey from wilderness to world-class metropolis.

One of the things that struck me about this series, entitled “The Hudson River Chronicles,” is the historical context that informed the journey.  “On the cusp of a new millennium, when the river will enter its fifth century of recorded history, the Hudson has been largely cleansed of the most visible toxic stains of 20th-century abuse and neglect,” reads a passage from the introduction by Times-Union staff writer Paul Grondahl. “This resilient river now stands at another historical fork in its progress, awaiting a redefining in the 21st century beyond its previous roles as exploited working river and forgotten relic of a throwaway culture. The question in 1998 is this: What is the relevance of the Hudson River for the future?“

Over a decade later, and in the wake of last year’s Quadricentennial celebration, this question is as relevant now as then. And it this very question that lies at the heart of the river-long discussion we are advancing through OurHudson.org.

So, what is your vision for the Hudson Valley in the next century?

What kind of economic development and job creation would you like to see?

Do you have ideas about education and food production?

What kinds of transportation and community development do you desire?

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