With the weather calling for 20 - 25 mph winds this morning I wasn't planning on any kayaking. But knowing my opportunities for paddling this season are getting short and the cool crisp air and blue skies calling my name I headed out. This section of the river is my go to paddle if I am just looking to get out for a couple hours. Total distance of this trip is just over 9 miles and it usually takes me about an hour and forty five minutes depending on how much I stop to admire the scenery.
My put in for this trip was Scruender Park in Methuen. Water levels are still very high and thus the current is strong making for an average speed of 5.2 mph (based on my gps). I thought about paddling upstream a bit but a taste of headwind in my face and I quickly thought better of it. The wildlife on the river was pretty sparse today. I saw a couple cormorant, a few pairs of ducks and a lone great blue heron. Unfortunately no eagle sightings today.
One would think by mid October the foliage would be in full bloom but the trees really seem to be holding onto their green this year. After turning the corner about halfway through the trip the wind was no longer at my back so I hugged the shore for a bit of shelter. I soon found my self in downtown Haverhill and paddled past workers at the marina disassembling the piers for the season,
Landing at my take out at Riverside park I was glad to be landing at low tide and have a but of shoreline to land my kayak. The last few trip this year have all been at high tide where the water covers the bottom of the steps making it a bit precarious to get out of the boat without getting wet.
Hopefully the the weather will cooperate and I can get a couple more trips in this season. Otherwise I may just have to invest in that wetsuit I have been looking at....
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