Published August 26, 2010 • The Chronicle, Glens Falls,

Gov. Paterson’s
weekend rafting
trip down the
Hudson River
By Gordon Woodworth
Chronicle News Editor
New York Governor David Paterson
took a two-day, 17-mile rafting trip
with Beaver Brook Outfitters from Indi-
an Lake to North River on Aug. 14 and
15.
“There were 10 people in his group,
and it was an overnight trip,” said Bea-
ver Brook Outfitters owner Pete Burns.
“His wife [Michelle Paige Paterson]
was with him, and he did have security.
It was his first time taking a trip with
us, but he has been down the river be-
fore.”
Mr. Burns termed the governor “a Governor David Paterson and his wife, Michelle Paige Paterson, run some white wa-
wicked nice guy. I had met him once be- ter on the Hudson River as Beaver Brook Outfitters owners Pete and Diana Burns guide
fore at a friend’s wedding, but didn’t talk the boat. Photo by James Swedberg
to him.”
Asked if any special precautions were
taken because of Gov. Paterson’s limited
vision, Mr. Burns said, “He’s a pretty in-
dependent fella. He got around just fine.
He did a great job in the raft. He was
all-in.” tics on the trip, Mr. Burns said, “Not to me, and I didn’t ask! They did mention they were glad there weren’t phones.”
Mr. Burns and his wife Diana guid- Mr. Burns said the 17-mile passage,
ed the trip. “Everything went really which started on the Indian River in In-
smoothly,” he said. “One of the security dian Lake, is a “mix of white water and
guys fell out of the raft, but he got back calm water. In fact, where we stopped
in pretty quickly. I was in the rapids it was calm water, and several people
and pretty focused, but they were jok- went swimming.”
ing around about it later.” Did the Governor join them?
He said there were four rafts in all: “No, I think he was taking a nap, and
one for the gear, two for the governor’s I don’t blame him,” Mr. Burns said.
group, and one for the security detail. “The whole crew sounded like they
Mr. Burns said the governor dined by had a great time.”
the river on smoked salmon, homemade Photos of Governor Paterson’s raft-
guacamole, grilled chicken and home- ing trip are on Beaver Brook Outfitters’
made cupcakes “to celebrate a birthday” Facebook page. Info: www.beaverbrook.
of one of Mr. Paterson’s guests. net.
Asked if the governor talked any poli-