Photo: AP Photo/Mike Groll
One of the stranger sights on the Hudson River, Bannerman's island castle is a high-walled ruin topped with turrets that looks like it was built to repel catapult attacks. In reality, the century-old structure off the river's eastern shore was a warehouse for bayonets, pith helmets, rifles and other military relics.

Photo: AP Photo/Mike Groll
The island has had a second life in recent years as a summer tourist attraction. Visitors many who know the castle from their daily train commute to New York City can take a tour boat or a kayak for guided tours of the island. But hard hats must be worn. Big chunks of the castle tumbled down this winter and more could fall at any time.

"Every year, something deteriorates and comes down on us," Neil Caplan of the Bannerman Castle Trust said as he gave a tour of the island recently.

Two companies run kayak tours on selected weekend dates. Hudson Valley Outfitters, runs five-to-six-hour tours for $120, which includes kayak, equipment and lunch. Storm King Adventure Tours, runs a four-hour tour for $120, which also includes kayak and equipment.

Read the rest of the story here, via Associated Press and Yahoo!. By Michael Hill.