On Sunday I found myself back at the Gowanus Canal.
The water seemed much cleaner than it did a few days ago, and that was fortunate,
because I had two special passengers:
James Bewley was bringing out the actor and trumpet player, Jenny Harder as a guest on his “Dale Radio” podcast.
He taped the whole trip for the podcast, and you can listen to it as you read along!
James was nervous about the getting in the boat, having seen the pictures from last week,
and the mood was infectious.
But after a few minutes, James eased into his character,
the charming and half drunk entertainer, Dale Seever.
He has been taping his show from the nieghborhood for 4 years,
and he knows all the lore of the canal.
Jenny played the trumpet beautifully, and it echoed under the bridges,
and off the backs of buildings.
It seems like everything turns its back to the Gowanus.
Dale’s crew filmed us from the bank.
I didn’t think they would ask, but Dale and Jenny wanted to go to The Grotto.
“Let’s go see some carcasses.” said Dale.
The grotto seemed suprisingly clear of debris,
I think the tide was pulling it out into the rest of the canal.
“Black mayonnaise.” said Dale. That was the name for this thick sludge.
“I saw a video where it ate right through a styrofoam cup,”
“that’s why I asked what your boat was made of.” he said.
Dale’s jokes seemed to liven up,
when we pointed the boat toward home.
I wondered if maybe the Gowanus Canal was interesting enough for radio, without the drama of seeing all the dead things like we did last week.
But back on the dock,
something had washed into port,
as if it sensed we wanted an encore.
Dale’s crew was anxiously awaiting our return.
This is me, Bill Scurry, Jenny Harder, Julie Miller, and James Bewley (as Dale Seever).
Here we are again,
at a very likely place.
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