tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-67807472829242712382024-03-21T06:41:39.666-07:00Kayak The MerrimackChronicling my kayaking adventures in the Mighty Merrimack River and other New England waterways.Steve and Jenhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03180943724907201195noreply@blogger.comBlogger43125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6780747282924271238.post-35142437148498396802019-08-11T09:31:00.000-07:002019-08-11T09:31:02.376-07:00Merrimack Source to SeaA group of river advocates and local politicians recently completed a source to sea trip on the Merrimack River. Their mission was to bring attention to the sewerage outflows that happen at treatment plants along the river when a large rainstorm occurs. Some plants do report these outflows but many do not. Many of the politicians on hand are sponsoring legislation to require reporting. Ultimately the group would like to eliminate the outflows entirely but that is a much more expensive undertaking. <br />
<br />
Although I have not kayaked much recently I love to read stories about groups trying to bring attention to the great resource that the Merrimack Rive is. Link to the article below:<br />
<br />
<a href="https://www.lowellsun.com/2019/08/09/group-docks-in-lowell-after-30-mile-paddle-to-support-merrimack-river/" target="_blank">Lowell Sun Article</a><br />
<br />Steve and Jenhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03180943724907201195noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6780747282924271238.post-50621020932442141682013-05-02T18:31:00.000-07:002013-05-02T18:31:16.215-07:00The Kayaking Season That Wasn'tAt this time last year I had already taken a couple kayaking trips, this year not so much. Three weeks ago while trying to install a steel door in my basement, the door fell on my foot. It shattered my big toe and fractured the middle one.<br />
<br />
So no kayaking for me anytime soon, The doctor says I should be completely healed in three or four months. I am hoping to get back in the kayak before that but for now I am not supposed to get it wet so Merrimack River water is definitely out of the question.<br />
<br />
I probably won't be posting any trip reports anytime soon but will be living vicariously through the other kayaking bloggers out there.<br />
<br />
Steve and Jenhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03180943724907201195noreply@blogger.com6tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6780747282924271238.post-58363429861662863872012-10-28T20:52:00.002-07:002012-10-28T20:57:24.349-07:00Boston Harbor Kayaking Trip - Fort Point Channel to Charles River<iframe frameborder="0" height="350" marginheight="0" marginwidth="0" scrolling="no" src="https://maps.google.com/maps/ms?msid=201234329629539657521.0004cd1e18568601f24cc&msa=0&ie=UTF8&t=h&z=14&output=embed" width="425"></iframe><br />
<small>View <a href="https://maps.google.com/maps/ms?msid=201234329629539657521.0004cd1e18568601f24cc&msa=0&ie=UTF8&t=h&z=14&source=embed" style="color: blue; text-align: left;">Boston Harbor / Charles River</a> in a larger map</small><br />
<small></small><br />
<small>My kayaking trips have been few and far between this year due to my wife and my new little bundle of joy. I thought my kayaking was done for the season until a kayaking buddy called last week to see if I could make it out for a trip to Boston Harbor, through the locks and into the Charles River. With hurricane Sandy about to blow in and my wife letting me out of the house for the afternoon, I had to jump at the chance.</small><br />
<small></small><br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjq-BxnUTIgFHpursdNy-uWaStyR-V8A8ulJxokICBJ7NHJV-fAWI-nETB01Z5pPZYt-tMIuFHO8awD04-RDbRgxPIVxcNbGHp9tCVbGtTrEtTRL1ZkJFSYCjuOkZ5fvE6ehpc3-VRmnkA7/s1600/IMG_2024.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjq-BxnUTIgFHpursdNy-uWaStyR-V8A8ulJxokICBJ7NHJV-fAWI-nETB01Z5pPZYt-tMIuFHO8awD04-RDbRgxPIVxcNbGHp9tCVbGtTrEtTRL1ZkJFSYCjuOkZ5fvE6ehpc3-VRmnkA7/s400/IMG_2024.JPG" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Fort Point Dock</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<small></small><br />
<small></small><br />
<small>Our put in for the trip was the new <a href="http://www.fortpointpier.com/" target="_blank">Fort Point Channel dock</a> off Necco Street in South Boston. I used to work right around the corner form the dock but had not had the opportunity to use it. To get to the dock you need to enter a pay parking lot but there are some spots near the dock that they let you use for free if you are a kayaker. </small><br />
<small></small><br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgwlUTxfPofR3AxP1qCJy3Dh9BumxZ5lgtvPoB_pYntQcKSJ4RT1gSSzxCj8DJnEYSQLW4yv1OZGAQMWjWp2sTXEV4DSmC1Q8meacYrNZE33-cgKznKzFJ4ibwZDv-Bt-n0dQ8pUyW4azsv/s1600/IMG_1957.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgwlUTxfPofR3AxP1qCJy3Dh9BumxZ5lgtvPoB_pYntQcKSJ4RT1gSSzxCj8DJnEYSQLW4yv1OZGAQMWjWp2sTXEV4DSmC1Q8meacYrNZE33-cgKznKzFJ4ibwZDv-Bt-n0dQ8pUyW4azsv/s400/IMG_1957.JPG" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Financial District</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg0ittHijLbjTsp89hpmzOyksKenYNawWLPQiCWdv15sckIIn6pU2zaipDRx48V6BvAWNL1_T6ZHvvLGG41WDmyog1oEA5U17WZ_BHvVqxDXbiZoiACFG36d7I2PRmHRn_JRrDO3DG-3skg/s1600/IMG_1977.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg0ittHijLbjTsp89hpmzOyksKenYNawWLPQiCWdv15sckIIn6pU2zaipDRx48V6BvAWNL1_T6ZHvvLGG41WDmyog1oEA5U17WZ_BHvVqxDXbiZoiACFG36d7I2PRmHRn_JRrDO3DG-3skg/s400/IMG_1977.JPG" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Entering the Harbor</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<small></small><br />
<small></small><br />
<small>The weather was perfect for our trip, sunny, mid 60s and no wind. We headed out into the channel around noon passing under the Summer, Congress, Seaport and Northern Ave bridges then into the harbor. There is quite a bit of ferry traffic in the harbor so we hugged the shore past the financial district and the North End.</small><br />
<small></small><br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgh45pJlAGYgDBN0ZDCLWnTSwLY0FpdNcp0ySLOP8SJFg_kV0mpWxVhZ5ZRYNEXWJyM5yPcoP5wl0kC-lTfNR5e0YLXORhuXO2J7GNvqvm_026AMJqtNRtWK9uV8zH6k4OBAjQhl9e95GK9/s1600/IMG_1985.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgh45pJlAGYgDBN0ZDCLWnTSwLY0FpdNcp0ySLOP8SJFg_kV0mpWxVhZ5ZRYNEXWJyM5yPcoP5wl0kC-lTfNR5e0YLXORhuXO2J7GNvqvm_026AMJqtNRtWK9uV8zH6k4OBAjQhl9e95GK9/s400/IMG_1985.JPG" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Coast Guard Station</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<small></small><br />
<small>Just past the North End you will pass the US Coast Guard Base Station. There were a couple large ships in port with everyone on board undoubtedly preparing for what will be a busy week once Hurricane Sandy arrives. After admiring the Coast Guard ships we paddled across the mouth of the Charles to admire a ship that is a little older. The USS Constitution sits behind a large barrier warning you that they will use force if you get too close(see sign). We decided not to test them and admired from a safe distance.</small><br />
<small></small><br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgqX_wY8DO6lxF59gLJP8C2N0uHO3Cj97R7MgePLH8pgGXtuppb1KIHV2y5zVhV3FHOUM4T7j3ClwdmK_w11ZLraeVkNseRqRRVIaiqICzDcNWr_Oa94GvV8LmFu0uq7kO-rnphutCAI8Ao/s1600/IMG_1990.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgqX_wY8DO6lxF59gLJP8C2N0uHO3Cj97R7MgePLH8pgGXtuppb1KIHV2y5zVhV3FHOUM4T7j3ClwdmK_w11ZLraeVkNseRqRRVIaiqICzDcNWr_Oa94GvV8LmFu0uq7kO-rnphutCAI8Ao/s400/IMG_1990.JPG" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">USS Constitution</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<small></small><br />
<small></small><br />
<small>Next we headed into the mouth of the Charles river. In order to get further upstream we needed to pass through the locks. I am told these locks can be fairly treacherous for kayakers in the Summer months when there is lots of power boat traffic. Fortunately for us there we no power boats to contend with on this day. There are a couple locks, I believe the one on the right is for commercial boats, we entered on the left. In order to get the lock attendant to open the locks you need to signal him with 2 long and 2 short blasts from an air horn or whistle. The attendant sits in the catwalk above the locks. Once the doors opened we entered the lock and held on to the side while the water rose. We were in there at low tide so the water only rose a couple inches, was pretty anti-climatic actually. Soon the door on the other side of the lock opened and we were out into the Charles River.</small><br />
<small></small><br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi85dBBlYNs4Z3uNIl5vhUcSvuH3Erzg32rnksxfpsL8aw9e7UpnnrQyS2aiJcd8j1qhgSEAbrdarJsjgxs3dIiZxO3fMmQTBFL-gzipffDoy0qOtzThSJAjtVdxoKf1DiUDNN1oCeGdtup/s1600/IMG_1996.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi85dBBlYNs4Z3uNIl5vhUcSvuH3Erzg32rnksxfpsL8aw9e7UpnnrQyS2aiJcd8j1qhgSEAbrdarJsjgxs3dIiZxO3fMmQTBFL-gzipffDoy0qOtzThSJAjtVdxoKf1DiUDNN1oCeGdtup/s400/IMG_1996.JPG" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Entering the lock</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhpacEfsp5rBs7KJE1BKfMIVl_EARrKjwHbXrhZBL6S5bm_rIxA8wnqfzyQEOxRtH9sYUu00paz26jD8pW5GpBOZSbobbfyUINshZzbOdkunhkWoFhKbyj7NeM8JMdmoYAMQgiKvLsRL7ok/s1600/IMG_1997.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhpacEfsp5rBs7KJE1BKfMIVl_EARrKjwHbXrhZBL6S5bm_rIxA8wnqfzyQEOxRtH9sYUu00paz26jD8pW5GpBOZSbobbfyUINshZzbOdkunhkWoFhKbyj7NeM8JMdmoYAMQgiKvLsRL7ok/s400/IMG_1997.JPG" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">In the lock</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<small></small><br />
<small></small><br />
<small>I have to say it was pretty cool paddling under the Zakim Bridge. I worked in Boston though the peak of the Big Dig and watched as the bridge was constructed and have crossed the bridge thousands of times on my way to work. Nice to see it from a different perspective. The are a couple more bridges to paddle under before the river opens up to the basin. The last bridge is just before the Museum of Science which requires you to navigate a narrow channel that you will undoubtedly be sharing with power boats. In our case it was Duck Boats. For those who don't know duck boats are WW2 era amphibious vehicles that are now used to ferry tourists around Boston. They are everywhere in the Charles, luckily they don't move very fast or create much of a wake but in a narrow channel with waves bouncing off the sides it can get a little hairy. Luckily we made it through unscathed.</small><br />
<small></small><br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh1O5T6cy-CJfObn21dc6K8a6LdPrzkTNJhV6orom2P8zPlFUp1EftOQr6VreK2IqQw-1oD5k1qxSO7G0Hu3VZOm1O-N9hyphenhyphenVd2zGc_9VIfZXP8k1XnX9ni_S5RBPH3kc9aHeeo0NzVDR7fT/s1600/IMG_2007.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh1O5T6cy-CJfObn21dc6K8a6LdPrzkTNJhV6orom2P8zPlFUp1EftOQr6VreK2IqQw-1oD5k1qxSO7G0Hu3VZOm1O-N9hyphenhyphenVd2zGc_9VIfZXP8k1XnX9ni_S5RBPH3kc9aHeeo0NzVDR7fT/s400/IMG_2007.JPG" width="400" /></a></div>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEijUjEOss5HOAd0TmPrU2lEw7JIofI_5eQy_8wqwLkdZ8L-x7ubIk1_E9IIXWR-qtfZtr9Co4anjYFvs3QLc2dSl05Vowl7hZSMXTcPqDn55VR9QSfk0RVLKEU4UsfapOQscBGYQ5pS2mWp/s1600/IMG_2011.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEijUjEOss5HOAd0TmPrU2lEw7JIofI_5eQy_8wqwLkdZ8L-x7ubIk1_E9IIXWR-qtfZtr9Co4anjYFvs3QLc2dSl05Vowl7hZSMXTcPqDn55VR9QSfk0RVLKEU4UsfapOQscBGYQ5pS2mWp/s400/IMG_2011.JPG" width="400" /></a></div>
<small></small><br />
<small></small><br />
<small>We paddled about a a mile further upstream until we got to the DCR Hatch Shell where we pulled up on shore for a break before heading back the way we came. The wind started to pick up a bit on the way back, with that and the boat traffic I have a couple waves wash over my bow so I was glad to have my spray skirt on. This trip was about 7 -1/2 miles round trip and we were out for about three hours. Nice urban paddle to finish up the season with lots to see along the way. </small><br />
<small> </small>Steve and Jenhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03180943724907201195noreply@blogger.com4tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6780747282924271238.post-25831191534767460922012-06-17T20:02:00.000-07:002012-06-17T20:02:10.185-07:00Father's Day on the Spicket River<iframe frameborder="0" height="350" marginheight="0" marginwidth="0" scrolling="no" src="https://maps.google.com/maps/ms?msid=201234329629539657521.0004c2b5b9f60c9574701&msa=0&hl=en&ie=UTF8&t=h&z=15&output=embed" width="425"></iframe><br />
<small>View <a href="https://maps.google.com/maps/ms?msid=201234329629539657521.0004c2b5b9f60c9574701&msa=0&hl=en&ie=UTF8&t=h&z=15&source=embed" style="color: blue; text-align: left;">Father's Day on the Spicket River</a> in a larger map</small><br />
<br />
<small>I think I may have mentioned on this blog in the past that my wife is an "inside girl". Kayaking isn't really her thing but on Father's day she grudgingly obliges. Last year we kayaked the Ipswich river and that was a little long of a paddle for my wife so she pleaded for a shorter paddle this year. So the Spicket it was. My daughter, who is now 4, is much more excited about kayaking now that she is a year older and had been looking forward to our special trip. </small><br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg8F4adyg6Utf49G5IFdNr_o5lWSMrEzXCHFPuE89H9cxeK4eKe5F5ZhxDjClWT2X3d56Zn2vF-A0x3IrJDEJpfyQaYaFVqRr5Id39-2juTcpyH-VGV1_J4u9XWn6-k5FbgnVvr_k6oUEcy/s1600/IMG_1930.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg8F4adyg6Utf49G5IFdNr_o5lWSMrEzXCHFPuE89H9cxeK4eKe5F5ZhxDjClWT2X3d56Zn2vF-A0x3IrJDEJpfyQaYaFVqRr5Id39-2juTcpyH-VGV1_J4u9XWn6-k5FbgnVvr_k6oUEcy/s400/IMG_1930.JPG" width="400" /></a></div>
<br />
<small>Someone posted a comment on this blog that they had used a put-in off Lowell Street in Methuen so I wanted to check it out. My regular put-in, at the end of Pine Street is pretty good, but it is right behind a private business so I am always worried that my car will get towed. The Lowell Street put-in is just before the turn for pine street. There is a large public parking lot and a very short walk to the water. The only issue with the put in is there is a 3 foot retaining wall that you will need to climb down to get to the water. It wasn't that bad actually, even with a four year old. There were some pipes stuck into the ground at the top of the wall giving you something to hold onto while climbing down.</small><br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEioyGSS6bGn_XFSrhvKNvaY4L79ritWCYORrtSvuiO02r7dmMZT_jsIC7_Ps1Lr9RyX3_qoSUKXuv4Efb4Ufksk7TMjEIAWEX72KxqpaIw-GKZX8iE723g-m3awLpe96i5Q645-WDfG0TgK/s1600/IMG_1932.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEioyGSS6bGn_XFSrhvKNvaY4L79ritWCYORrtSvuiO02r7dmMZT_jsIC7_Ps1Lr9RyX3_qoSUKXuv4Efb4Ufksk7TMjEIAWEX72KxqpaIw-GKZX8iE723g-m3awLpe96i5Q645-WDfG0TgK/s400/IMG_1932.JPG" width="400" /></a></div>
<br />
<small>As we were heading out, Joyce Godsey, one of the members of the<a href="http://methuenrailtrail.org/" target="_blank"> Methuen Rail Trail</a> came by to take our picture. They have been working hard to promote the Rail Trail and the River for kayaking so she was excited to see us out there. After our photo op we headed upstream toward the bird sanctuary. We were paddling against the current but the Spicket moves so slow it is barely noticeable. Lots of wildlife on this trip. We saw Great Blue Heron, red winged blackbirds, turtles and a couple river otters.</small><br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg8kSt20wICkiSMnJtvqpZOODFi94i53oabMZMgF4oO9gGTVss9UY8cJs7_DpoJO0cLXt8MwTLujVN1ebPfq97fR-yhxGlfDAwE6JpjHx9vSygmrF213kR4xlqFcbcPZiLTzZLDrnqTJRbz/s1600/IMG_1934.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg8kSt20wICkiSMnJtvqpZOODFi94i53oabMZMgF4oO9gGTVss9UY8cJs7_DpoJO0cLXt8MwTLujVN1ebPfq97fR-yhxGlfDAwE6JpjHx9vSygmrF213kR4xlqFcbcPZiLTzZLDrnqTJRbz/s400/IMG_1934.JPG" width="400" /></a></div>
<br />
<small>When I paddled this section of there river last year there was a large tree across the river just past the heron rookery. It seems that someone has removed the tree making it possible to now paddle upstream into New Hampshire. On this trip we paddled a few hundred yards past the Hampshire Road bridge although the map above does not show it since the battery on my iPhone died. There is another tree across the river at this point. We paddled up to it today and it looks like I could have easily paddled through, this wasn't the case last year so I have a feeling someone has done some work on this tree as well. I may have to take a solo trip sometime soon just to see how far upstream I can actually paddle. Our trip back was slightly faster with the current pushing us along.</small><br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjj1Jux5QiFCiDMNBuuvzehmGsdEIEFOQwQ_qpHNRhkfDq9PKtCKC5jVna8VNMo1-mC3Wod0_396R_8Vcsn_FIBcbyOr6zqV_kDIf8PB31FT1bZwWRNicY5EYMaDIbbhtTdFUKb82SYdVSY/s1600/IMG_1939.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjj1Jux5QiFCiDMNBuuvzehmGsdEIEFOQwQ_qpHNRhkfDq9PKtCKC5jVna8VNMo1-mC3Wod0_396R_8Vcsn_FIBcbyOr6zqV_kDIf8PB31FT1bZwWRNicY5EYMaDIbbhtTdFUKb82SYdVSY/s400/IMG_1939.JPG" width="400" /></a></div>
<br />
<small>Total distance paddled was 4 miles and we are on the water for about an hour and a half. Not a bad way to celebrate Father's day with my girls.</small>Steve and Jenhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03180943724907201195noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6780747282924271238.post-30530733405277310122012-06-02T15:10:00.000-07:002012-06-02T15:10:00.720-07:00Seabrook / Hampton Harbor Kayaking Trip<iframe frameborder="0" height="350" marginheight="0" marginwidth="0" scrolling="no" src="https://maps.google.com/maps/ms?msid=201234329629539657521.0004c160f17ca2427f66f&msa=0&hl=en&ie=UTF8&t=h&ll=42.875713,-70.826283&spn=0.04403,0.072956&z=13&output=embed" width="425"></iframe><br />
<small>View <a href="https://maps.google.com/maps/ms?msid=201234329629539657521.0004c160f17ca2427f66f&msa=0&hl=en&ie=UTF8&t=h&ll=42.875713,-70.826283&spn=0.04403,0.072956&z=13&source=embed" style="color: blue; text-align: left;">Seabrook Harbor</a> in a larger map</small><br />
<small><br /></small><br />
<span style="font-size: small;"><small><span style="font-size: small;">I took another trip this past Wednesday evening with the NE Seacoast Paddlers Meetup Group. This was a much smaller group than the last trip I took with these guys. I don't typically paddle after work but this was a nice short paddle and this was an area that I have been wanting to explore.</span> </small>The put in for this trip is just south on the drawbridge in Seabrook NH on route 1A. The plan for the trip was to paddle into Seabrook harbor and into the Blackwater River which flows into Salisbury MA. The plan was to paddle a few miles up the river and then come back with the out going tide. </span><br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhtN6shEpASeAZgkixopT9-2esqlWQHEca4a2xvuB2ZTdSVuiVRLJoBaKxaVzJQ9ZW7m2abVWmnVYKFExZ0ECjQuCUfbejW7K6vc5NbdXbzZ0VRZZx5yiDTxUvTJyA1llnh-AkZuqwpp5PW/s1600/IMG_1911.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhtN6shEpASeAZgkixopT9-2esqlWQHEca4a2xvuB2ZTdSVuiVRLJoBaKxaVzJQ9ZW7m2abVWmnVYKFExZ0ECjQuCUfbejW7K6vc5NbdXbzZ0VRZZx5yiDTxUvTJyA1llnh-AkZuqwpp5PW/s400/IMG_1911.JPG" width="400" /></a></div>
<span style="font-size: small;"><br /></span><br />
We met at the put-in just before 6:30, weather was overcast and humid with a chance of thunderstorms. We checked the forecast before we left and determined it was safe to go out as the storms would not pass directly over us. This put in was pretty good for kayaks. There is plenty of parking, restroom facilities and a short walk down the beach to the water. The trip was planned just before high tide as to have the most water for our trip and to ride the outgoing tide back in.<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEipciiVd-IntFHTxG6PecgzTaTiP8sIUgKeedhu2dEFvaTuI2F4AVYCdaXdSCzySACnnKpoyJCYSiWhRhHovieOlTx8nAlNDdZf2PWbgKY-7f0moO6NKyWpwYpv0-O28ZbdlbFA4-XTco86/s1600/IMG_1912.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEipciiVd-IntFHTxG6PecgzTaTiP8sIUgKeedhu2dEFvaTuI2F4AVYCdaXdSCzySACnnKpoyJCYSiWhRhHovieOlTx8nAlNDdZf2PWbgKY-7f0moO6NKyWpwYpv0-O28ZbdlbFA4-XTco86/s400/IMG_1912.JPG" width="400" /></a></div>
<br />
Our group of 7 paddlers headed out just after 6:30. The first thing you notice upon heading out in the harbor is the Seabrook Nuclear Power Plant lurking in the distance. A bit ominous to see it sitting out there in the middle of the marsh. Just a couple hundred yards into our paddle a newbie on the trip somehow capsized his kayak. Luckily for him the water was fairly warm and the trip leader had some impressive rescue skills. I have seen an assisted rescue performed in a pool but never in an actual situation. It was good to see how easy it was for him to get this fairly heavy guy back in his boat. Definitely a skill I need to work on in the future.<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjBiIW0RpEzajbKQG7tcRP9v-rNgfhLaTU8gAvLzpuSh9iigFmY-5QXL6vmWVP8oJFTyPB_RWilW_dxERMMZO5BwBM-KZt0PpJcdJwHsvDN8rQDs7P2a0WSoJx7an9pXadN5ljAMdld9U-0/s1600/IMG_1910.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjBiIW0RpEzajbKQG7tcRP9v-rNgfhLaTU8gAvLzpuSh9iigFmY-5QXL6vmWVP8oJFTyPB_RWilW_dxERMMZO5BwBM-KZt0PpJcdJwHsvDN8rQDs7P2a0WSoJx7an9pXadN5ljAMdld9U-0/s400/IMG_1910.JPG" width="300" /></a></div>
<br />
Even at high tide there were some fairly shallow spots in the harbor. One particular area to watch out for is marked my large wooden poles. Apparently there are some submerged walls that are used to hold the sand back so that they don't have to keep dredging the harbor. I assume at low tide you would need to paddle around this section. After paddling a few hundred yards into the harbor we headed south into the Blackwater river. About a mile into the river we encounter the bridge at route 286. This is also the site of the famous Browns and Markeys seafood shacks. The tide was still pretty high going under the bridge which required either ducking or leaning back on my deck to pass under without hitting my head. I believe after passing under the bridge we entered Salisbury MA.<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjqbRKhYFfUCYxslr0SxWhry92SJ3SEXPjFZTSx1n-v52aX-OLEjrJ3WEnC9XGSG-GyTZK6a1QQDA2sYFMK3kXqS2lY8XbadZdHXWuB0nBC9df2DSAAUBOJ81HlW5Qs5tSHHmVX2N7s_s4t/s1600/IMG_1915.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjqbRKhYFfUCYxslr0SxWhry92SJ3SEXPjFZTSx1n-v52aX-OLEjrJ3WEnC9XGSG-GyTZK6a1QQDA2sYFMK3kXqS2lY8XbadZdHXWuB0nBC9df2DSAAUBOJ81HlW5Qs5tSHHmVX2N7s_s4t/s400/IMG_1915.JPG" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Markeys</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
We followed the river for another mile before we decided to turn back as it was starting to get dark. I believe we could have paddled another mile down the river if it weren't for our late start. The tide was still coming in a bit as we were paddling back requiring ducking while paddling to get under the bridge. I found it easier to just grab hold of the underside of the bridge and pull myself through. Eventually we all made it through for a quick paddle back to take-out. One recommendation if paddling in the area is bug spray. The no-see-ems were pretty bad and I did not have any bug spray. Definitely something that I will be adding to my kayaking gear.<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgudyJnwscd13URup-Yn8Ebk0HWDwQQhOIH3ZEvkofuvTeoJUBMffOCZgcTEcG37SPgZE9EmasS0KTdwjUwtAN_GBMIqrbJahlpkqZms5mdoAF8k742lgYv3tU-48iy7SSYcD5-AJYLMvaX/s1600/IMG_1924.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgudyJnwscd13URup-Yn8Ebk0HWDwQQhOIH3ZEvkofuvTeoJUBMffOCZgcTEcG37SPgZE9EmasS0KTdwjUwtAN_GBMIqrbJahlpkqZms5mdoAF8k742lgYv3tU-48iy7SSYcD5-AJYLMvaX/s400/IMG_1924.JPG" width="400" /></a></div>
<br />
Total distance of this trip was just under 6 miles and we were on the water for 2 hours. This was a nice quick little after work paddle. I think this section can be paddled at any time but it is easier at high tide. Great trip with a great group of people, looking forward to my next paddle with them.Steve and Jenhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03180943724907201195noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6780747282924271238.post-41911047760018498262012-05-28T20:13:00.001-07:002012-05-28T20:21:18.831-07:00Odiorne Point Kayaking Trip - Little Harbor and Sagamore Creek<iframe frameborder="0" height="350" marginheight="0" marginwidth="0" scrolling="no" src="https://maps.google.com/maps/ms?msa=0&msid=201234329629539657521.0004c11897c64b3deb453&ie=UTF8&t=m&ll=43.058353,-70.743456&spn=0.02195,0.036478&z=14&output=embed" width="425"></iframe><br />
<small>View <a href="https://maps.google.com/maps/ms?msa=0&msid=201234329629539657521.0004c11897c64b3deb453&ie=UTF8&t=m&ll=43.058353,-70.743456&spn=0.02195,0.036478&z=14&source=embed" style="color: blue; text-align: left;">Odiorne Point, Rye NH</a> in a larger map</small><br />
<br />
<small>I have driven by Odiorne Point in Rye, New Hampshire a bunch of times in the Spring and Summer and it always seems to be crawling with kayakers. Not being familiar with the tides and currents in the area I have always been hesitant to make the trip. The <a href="http://www.meetup.com/NESeacoastPaddlers/" target="_blank">NE Seacoast Paddlers Meetup Group</a> had a trip planned from Odiorne this past weekend so I couldn''t pass up the opportunity to paddle some new waters. The plan for the trip was to put in a few hours before high tide, paddle into Little Harbor and the up Sagamore Creek. There was an option to stop at a restaurant along the river for lunch/dinner and then paddle back out when the tide turned.</small><br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEghO49TNcx_HKt3zRmjBXdVqOfoCA7fMrWXou1nqRgD5WVwu0kxOcutjJxoFzUv_kmOEntpQhucdzE6rM33jkbS8NuQAY7FC40ergjBlTNPlL-GJ4Wc2d_ph1-nxBSTbCTzv8VjhP49Yhry/s1600/IMG_1885.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEghO49TNcx_HKt3zRmjBXdVqOfoCA7fMrWXou1nqRgD5WVwu0kxOcutjJxoFzUv_kmOEntpQhucdzE6rM33jkbS8NuQAY7FC40ergjBlTNPlL-GJ4Wc2d_ph1-nxBSTbCTzv8VjhP49Yhry/s400/IMG_1885.JPG" width="300" /></a></div>
<br />
<small>The put in at Odiorne Point State Park was pretty good. There was a large parkhing lot which was pretty full by the time the 40 or so paddlers in our group arrived. The address of the put in is 505 Ocean Boulevard (Route 1A) Rye NH. Coming from the south it is just before the small bridge in Rye. The is actually another informal put in on the other side of the bridge that I saw a few people using. The ramp itself was a bit muddy, I almost lost a shoe along the edge of the ramp. </small><br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhun8alZsT9W7xKyGIrZ9M8ZQiD1b36-IEd1UiBWmG859B4gbUCjWNLfBWinvFihryd1feN7-gMEFMTUTMspjwTrcT-ihraofl97fRVjer7LtlEoz-tkRCfQD1ay9TPfc72H37mRqol3SIa/s1600/IMG_1886.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhun8alZsT9W7xKyGIrZ9M8ZQiD1b36-IEd1UiBWmG859B4gbUCjWNLfBWinvFihryd1feN7-gMEFMTUTMspjwTrcT-ihraofl97fRVjer7LtlEoz-tkRCfQD1ay9TPfc72H37mRqol3SIa/s400/IMG_1886.JPG" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Wentworth by the Sea Hotel</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiBhYySLoB55PAGdeDKcqyMnlEMGTwUod6vUfAXFcxJZO95KuSK3vyxcZZeOJCNFiRDOMDeeLu3cCYsdny0jekgmMkiEVB3duRINqZZdOvBdzVu07eK7q33khX4z3kPx1YkLovVLEK4iuP0/s1600/IMG_1888.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiBhYySLoB55PAGdeDKcqyMnlEMGTwUod6vUfAXFcxJZO95KuSK3vyxcZZeOJCNFiRDOMDeeLu3cCYsdny0jekgmMkiEVB3duRINqZZdOvBdzVu07eK7q33khX4z3kPx1YkLovVLEK4iuP0/s400/IMG_1888.JPG" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Wentworth Golf Club</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<br />
<small>We set out around 1pm, I though the initial paddle out into the harbor would be tough with the tide coming in but it was pretty easy paddling, We paddled north past a nice golf course on the left and toward the Wentworth by the Sea Hotel on New Castle Island. There is a large Marina on the island but there was not too much boat traffic, a bit surprising being Memorial Day weekend. The trip leaders directed us to pass under the (Route 1B) bridge on the right. The current under the bridge was pretty strong, kind of fun to get shot through.</small><br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj8uNZDfH81Ja8Y7IM0wjdkbtm9ppMkYwfEktTsKVrWZttlx__3F3CRWvzb8U1KeNmKaaXCfpuwoAlg1Ky4f2XDuLdWrICDaAhwFH1p4UuIwKEv6KmbLj5ECnQz-iY96KXmBGnduACL92z3/s1600/IMG_1894.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj8uNZDfH81Ja8Y7IM0wjdkbtm9ppMkYwfEktTsKVrWZttlx__3F3CRWvzb8U1KeNmKaaXCfpuwoAlg1Ky4f2XDuLdWrICDaAhwFH1p4UuIwKEv6KmbLj5ECnQz-iY96KXmBGnduACL92z3/s400/IMG_1894.JPG" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Shooting Under the Bridge</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgUioOwnANTD9H5nSx8LFJzVxgDFtKwl_KzT9_0RO5E82CU8DE6Lpp8AWcEDmzxXVpr660gZCOQwOhfZC1uBY4bo_T-fzsVIETyD2BRBJEZsjgxMizJ81rrc08igDANi9b_Pid7OPN4hILs/s1600/IMG_1896.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgUioOwnANTD9H5nSx8LFJzVxgDFtKwl_KzT9_0RO5E82CU8DE6Lpp8AWcEDmzxXVpr660gZCOQwOhfZC1uBY4bo_T-fzsVIETyD2BRBJEZsjgxMizJ81rrc08igDANi9b_Pid7OPN4hILs/s400/IMG_1896.JPG" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Playing in the waves</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<br />
<small>Once the group was through we pushed further north toward the Portsmouth Naval Shipyard and around a couple small islands. One area to watch out for is a small ledge that the incoming tide was flowing over. A couple brave souls from our group paddled over it and had a rough time getting back. I briefly considered giving it a shot but after watching a couple guys struggle I decided to conserve my energy.</small><br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhs8Qsm9vUYbV29L8Icwrgw6r1k5MaieO7Ri06bmaSB2uEH65KO0fc4OAsMgfijKpHk4_fRF7Q_-183jBSIbatQWoI3mzpQiRmV4pNmbcmHDirUQMPrpH_4D4RmZPUrJ4a1QXWOndf0wZjN/s1600/IMG_1900.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhs8Qsm9vUYbV29L8Icwrgw6r1k5MaieO7Ri06bmaSB2uEH65KO0fc4OAsMgfijKpHk4_fRF7Q_-183jBSIbatQWoI3mzpQiRmV4pNmbcmHDirUQMPrpH_4D4RmZPUrJ4a1QXWOndf0wZjN/s400/IMG_1900.JPG" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Portmouth Naval Prison</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<br />
<small>Once around the islands we let the incoming tide push us up the Sagamore Creek. At the mouth of the Sagamore is the <a href="http://www.nhstateparks.org/explore/state-parks/wentworth-coolidge-mansion-state-historic-site.aspx" target="_blank">Wentworth-Coolidge Mansion</a>. This structure dates to the 1700s and is the former home of the first Governor of New Hampshire. The Sagamore itself has a few shallow spots at the mouth but a little speed will push you through. We paddled about 2 miles upstream where it opens up a bit and the area appears to be surrounded by conservation land. </small><br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhWW_DDMR5c4-y4NXVfsC9PHnfqkf2eOGKHwYR31EC7PwDDb_4RhXaNShXNaoxGq1nX8UmWgsLNax1DwNuX_gNahq_eVwUi2rGODG650xajjhEvd3kvkpG12FfiX7G5WWfxdJOiqqFCbWRH/s1600/IMG_1905.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhWW_DDMR5c4-y4NXVfsC9PHnfqkf2eOGKHwYR31EC7PwDDb_4RhXaNShXNaoxGq1nX8UmWgsLNax1DwNuX_gNahq_eVwUi2rGODG650xajjhEvd3kvkpG12FfiX7G5WWfxdJOiqqFCbWRH/s400/IMG_1905.JPG" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Lots of rocky shoreline</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEicbvPwzffFZEVGw4Ii5XqEHbSaAnrNa-I2Hp4ihhjEIlHCzjKDWBd2OLbB2RgXXe92fKmvNpM5PlWwMC_F92C8PcVyjvfGp2EbP18iHvs_1Tke_V0dzbaQNfbJQhlCyUsZ0xoBSPZMvsSt/s1600/IMG_1903.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEicbvPwzffFZEVGw4Ii5XqEHbSaAnrNa-I2Hp4ihhjEIlHCzjKDWBd2OLbB2RgXXe92fKmvNpM5PlWwMC_F92C8PcVyjvfGp2EbP18iHvs_1Tke_V0dzbaQNfbJQhlCyUsZ0xoBSPZMvsSt/s400/IMG_1903.JPG" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Wentworth Coolidge Mansion<br />
<br /></td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<small>We made a brief stop to stretch our legs and then headed back downstream just before high tide. The trip leaders suggested a stop on the way back down at <a href="http://www.bgsboathouse.com/index.php" target="_blank">BG's Boathouse</a> for an early dinner. We stopped for a quick bite and enjoyed the view of the Sagamore. The restaurant has a nice little landing area for paddle craft. I have often wondered why more waterfront restaurants don't offer landing areas. Maybe with kayaking becoming more popular more places will catch on. After a finishing dinner we pushed back into little harbor. A couple highlights of the trip back were the group of kids contemplating jumping off the Route 1A bridge as we were passing by. We also saw a pair of deer on the opposite shore as we were leaving the Boathouse. Seeing deer was a first for me on a paddling trip.</small><br />
<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgbhbbgH1E2q7Vxq9uX12Ug_Rxsj1VkD_6Bh-6tMkCZsgfgsVPBK5CEOh4jEX2tpmYJ4mov6A3UWReqQ8kxkw6zwr075qpBlXcTGXkcTnLM8oKq8vV_axVOquSjTUplbUvCxXtn37JCLMt5/s1600/IMG_1907.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgbhbbgH1E2q7Vxq9uX12Ug_Rxsj1VkD_6Bh-6tMkCZsgfgsVPBK5CEOh4jEX2tpmYJ4mov6A3UWReqQ8kxkw6zwr075qpBlXcTGXkcTnLM8oKq8vV_axVOquSjTUplbUvCxXtn37JCLMt5/s400/IMG_1907.JPG" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Cold Water...Crazy Kids</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg_DkMdfA4GjrMs3zVBLPCs6-iWh-lb6ucWKgMZqcYZKedVsuFMcD5mq70xJt4Is1bTdkbNQ_Sq-KHO4rcamNTSvM53Agvef2VxAkSJyObRid5itQd3Wwd5o0B_PC0yeYpYLrxZBD5rN8Xy/s1600/IMG_1908.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="311" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg_DkMdfA4GjrMs3zVBLPCs6-iWh-lb6ucWKgMZqcYZKedVsuFMcD5mq70xJt4Is1bTdkbNQ_Sq-KHO4rcamNTSvM53Agvef2VxAkSJyObRid5itQd3Wwd5o0B_PC0yeYpYLrxZBD5rN8Xy/s400/IMG_1908.JPG" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">deer!!!</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
</div>
<small>Quite an enjoyable trip overall. Total distance was just over 7 miles of easy paddling. We were out for about 4 and a half hours including a stop for lunch. Beside paddling right at the put in, if you paddle left, under the bridge, there is a sizable tidal area to explore. Odiorne Point is a great little area to explore and I hope to get back there again very soon.</small>Steve and Jenhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03180943724907201195noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6780747282924271238.post-12406728953821203982011-11-06T20:10:00.000-08:002011-11-06T20:10:42.800-08:00Merrimack River Kayaking Trip - Scruender Park, Methuen to Pines Recreation Area, Groveland<iframe frameborder="0" height="350" marginheight="0" marginwidth="0" scrolling="no" src="http://maps.google.com/maps/ms?hl=en&vpsrc=6&ctz=300&ie=UTF8&msa=0&msid=201234329629539657521.0004b11ac0481de8ea862&t=h&ll=42.755332,-71.07296&spn=0.088231,0.145912&z=12&output=embed" width="425"></iframe><br />
<small>View <a href="http://maps.google.com/maps/ms?hl=en&vpsrc=6&ctz=300&ie=UTF8&msa=0&msid=201234329629539657521.0004b11ac0481de8ea862&t=h&ll=42.755332,-71.07296&spn=0.088231,0.145912&z=12&source=embed" style="color: blue; text-align: left;">Methuen to Groveland</a> in a larger map</small><br />
<br />
<small>After the freak snowstorm we had last weekend I thought my kayaking season might be over. But the weather warmed up enough for me to get out on the Merrimack this morning. Temperatures were in the high 40s when I put in but quickly warmed up to the mid 50s, pretty comfortable kayaking weather. Wind was pretty light but picked up a bit toward the end of my trip.</small><br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"></div><br />
<small>I was looking forward to some foliage paddles this season but I somehow seemed to miss it. Colors now appear to be varying shades of yellow. I was hoping with most of the leaves gone from the trees I might see an eagle in the trees but none seemed to be around this weekend. There was a lone Great Blue Heron, some cormorants and ducks still hanging out. Water levels are still pretty high with a brisk current I am paddling at an average of 5 mph.</small><br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh4GrO0aDPk1DqwwAdwdC7Vr1AqKWsQhEWGBohOTtTD2W7_MSbjEgRIcvhacrw4DJe8Blzudt19eO1bY2tc1GJ-hzw38Z5KRDVTu3Drq8tdpkG6isNdzrWlRyJRnQufIVFJzZRRvat8fVaj/s1600/IMG_1850.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="300px" ida="true" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh4GrO0aDPk1DqwwAdwdC7Vr1AqKWsQhEWGBohOTtTD2W7_MSbjEgRIcvhacrw4DJe8Blzudt19eO1bY2tc1GJ-hzw38Z5KRDVTu3Drq8tdpkG6isNdzrWlRyJRnQufIVFJzZRRvat8fVaj/s400/IMG_1850.JPG" width="400px" /></a></div><br />
<small>I paddled around the back side of a small island just past the 2nd 495 bridge and found myself in a short narrow little area (below) that reminded me a bit of the Ipswich River. It was pretty shallow so I am not sure this section could be paddled in the summer but it was nice to get out of the sun and wind for a few minutes.</small><br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjY1xtJh03bOYa7qfRaOPvVVDzzG6CMP79_nh7yrPos5xARm1ajGTSzySxphYbwdZhEOItmTW5CSeYpki3EZaVK7HYfN-0_YQv62rihurP3GoE4Ed7cenuZYNhTzil4djHOTPhN01hyphenhyphenkI5C/s1600/IMG_1852.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="300px" ida="true" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjY1xtJh03bOYa7qfRaOPvVVDzzG6CMP79_nh7yrPos5xARm1ajGTSzySxphYbwdZhEOItmTW5CSeYpki3EZaVK7HYfN-0_YQv62rihurP3GoE4Ed7cenuZYNhTzil4djHOTPhN01hyphenhyphenkI5C/s400/IMG_1852.JPG" width="400px" /></a></div><br />
<small>My destination for this trip was the Pines Recreation Area boat ramp in Groveland. I stopped here for a break on a trip a few weeks ago and chatted up an older gentleman working there. I think the ramp is for Groveland residents only but I couldn't find any information on it. The ramp was gated off for power boats but no problem for someone carrying a kayak. There is a nice flat ramp and parking area just a short walk away. My typical takeout is at Riverside Park in Haverhill. The problem there is you need to climb a fairly steep flight of stairs to get to the parking lot. Not always an easy feat after a couple hours of paddlng. The Pines Recreation Area is just about a mile past the Haverhill and I may try using it again in the future as long as nobody kicks me out as I am not a Groveland resident.</small><br />
<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiEW3stfv2lFbM7AwBBWq19aEk3Fw1yZ75VA2CDQ1CP2w9UsOMaew3iUcsEfOL6X6QYQRcTw0vqH0gOTz8bGvXqtyo79t0L9fMP2fDAge6Xcbgzm4dFEZep9aIxlc70CXLtzT7ESupVJpyI/s1600/IMG_1860.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="300px" ida="true" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiEW3stfv2lFbM7AwBBWq19aEk3Fw1yZ75VA2CDQ1CP2w9UsOMaew3iUcsEfOL6X6QYQRcTw0vqH0gOTz8bGvXqtyo79t0L9fMP2fDAge6Xcbgzm4dFEZep9aIxlc70CXLtzT7ESupVJpyI/s400/IMG_1860.JPG" width="400px" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Pines Recreation Area</td></tr>
</tbody></table><br />
<small>Total mileage of this trip was just over 10 miles and I completed the trip in 1 hour and 50 minutes. </small>Steve and Jenhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03180943724907201195noreply@blogger.com5tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6780747282924271238.post-13592011886339779622011-10-23T20:29:00.000-07:002011-10-23T20:29:22.406-07:00Merrimack River Kayaking Trip - Mouth of the Merrimack Seal Paddle<iframe frameborder="0" height="350" marginheight="0" marginwidth="0" scrolling="no" src="http://maps.google.com/maps/ms?vpsrc=6&ctz=240&ie=UTF8&msa=0&msid=201234329629539657521.0004b00258a11155eeae4&t=h&ll=42.814922,-70.846367&spn=0.044073,0.072956&z=13&output=embed" width="425"></iframe><br />
<small>View <a href="http://maps.google.com/maps/ms?vpsrc=6&ctz=240&ie=UTF8&msa=0&msid=201234329629539657521.0004b00258a11155eeae4&t=h&ll=42.814922,-70.846367&spn=0.044073,0.072956&z=13&source=embed" style="color: blue; text-align: left;">Mouth of the Merrimack</a> in a larger map</small><br />
<br />
<small>I have been wanting to get out into the mouth of the Merrimack for a while now but have been a bit hesitant to get out there without someone with some experience. This area is a large tidal expanse that can get a bit dangerous when the tides are coming in or going out. I recently found that <a href="http://www.plumislandkayak.com/plum/index.php">Plumb Island Kayak</a> offers guided tours of the area and one of the tours even makes a trip out to see some seals. So I gave the guys at Plumb Island Kayak a call and they told me they had some availability in a tour going out Sunday afternoon.</small><br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg0oLFqwQ_TKEAySycZXSgcfT97KHf2INc5AL8xmIIQsh3JSMsZaad25A9vtYNPh-IPVGlsc1DAM4HiNC6aRPcoAoBaOgT9hW1irBF1ZxLNEila7jB1YP4WEU38-ojkln95w_Dnv7nYT60Q/s1600/IMG_1824.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="300px" rda="true" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg0oLFqwQ_TKEAySycZXSgcfT97KHf2INc5AL8xmIIQsh3JSMsZaad25A9vtYNPh-IPVGlsc1DAM4HiNC6aRPcoAoBaOgT9hW1irBF1ZxLNEila7jB1YP4WEU38-ojkln95w_Dnv7nYT60Q/s400/IMG_1824.JPG" width="400px" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Pu in / Take out</td></tr>
</tbody></table><br />
<small>The put-in for this trip was a private ramp right behind Plumb Island Kayak. This trip is usually planned just before low tide so as to ride the tide out to the seals and the tide the incoming tide back. I would be paddling with a group of about 15 college students and there were 4 guides on the trip. Weather today was a little cool - mid 50s but there was no wind, pretty much perfect conditions.</small><br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjaJnJPweMdWBXB4CTLtDacurrWHPh0eV040Ak-bHYAimfTa-P7zOx3CRsC8qLO8miZEKD87ySc_T3mSPPuEd_DJpHbKhG4iz8Gf3UPbEYJyIpD43yQeWVbqtpFVfNsRKr3-j5Ur9f-GOjU/s1600/IMG_1838.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="300px" rda="true" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjaJnJPweMdWBXB4CTLtDacurrWHPh0eV040Ak-bHYAimfTa-P7zOx3CRsC8qLO8miZEKD87ySc_T3mSPPuEd_DJpHbKhG4iz8Gf3UPbEYJyIpD43yQeWVbqtpFVfNsRKr3-j5Ur9f-GOjU/s400/IMG_1838.JPG" width="400px" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">First Seal Sighting</td></tr>
</tbody></table><br />
<small></small><small>Our destination was Badgers Rocks where the seals tend to congregate at this time of the year. We headed out across the river to the Salisbury side and hugged the shore for about three miles as we headed toward badgers Rocks. As we approached the rocks we could see at least a dozen seals on the the rocks. We approached slowly but as we got closer the seals ungracefully made their way off the rocks and into the water. As we just drifted past we would see numerous little heads popping up to check us out. We drifted around in the area for about a half hour and just watched the seals popping up and down. Every once in a while one of the would slap its tail at us warning us that we were too close. </small><br />
<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj5jhtDEGaebA8zY6069uY3F0KT-bQ2mNx2deim4DOIdHcgEuiPuq0UUaqwES7HORDQaoj-Q6P8aQW2f76A7E7P9PbRthpZkySugjwxdzjBVKzqcGnKNUcFK_difBelg0lMCAZ_lJlc3BJ1/s1600/IMG_1842.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="300px" rda="true" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj5jhtDEGaebA8zY6069uY3F0KT-bQ2mNx2deim4DOIdHcgEuiPuq0UUaqwES7HORDQaoj-Q6P8aQW2f76A7E7P9PbRthpZkySugjwxdzjBVKzqcGnKNUcFK_difBelg0lMCAZ_lJlc3BJ1/s400/IMG_1842.JPG" width="400px" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Close up of a big guy</td></tr>
</tbody></table><br />
<br />
<small>Soon the sun was going down and it was getting cold so the group headed back. Total distance of this trip was just over 6 miles and we were out on the water for about 2 and a half hours. This was a great late season trip, definitely will be paddling this section of the river again. </small><br />
<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjNySX789OqsHbR4JVEyUn6gtEyTLH328APDiK2W00-I9qOYtIkrIES506WHwYLbS9l-VpWHB_z8oqdGo77PJaZQw_GaVTodcJK1xXiJ7Y-_JJ-msIpb3U2Zw2x0QU0nDwkHG6CylOL03q-/s1600/IMG_1849.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="400px" rda="true" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjNySX789OqsHbR4JVEyUn6gtEyTLH328APDiK2W00-I9qOYtIkrIES506WHwYLbS9l-VpWHB_z8oqdGo77PJaZQw_GaVTodcJK1xXiJ7Y-_JJ-msIpb3U2Zw2x0QU0nDwkHG6CylOL03q-/s400/IMG_1849.JPG" width="300px" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">View of the Mouth looking toward the ocean</td></tr>
</tbody></table>Steve and Jenhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03180943724907201195noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6780747282924271238.post-52978767460603620842011-10-16T20:29:00.000-07:002011-10-16T20:29:29.930-07:00Merrimack River Kayaking Trip - Methuen to Haverhill<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjU08ePKnp1cNx08vAtnRVmlEg9HY6dX6tspgQE2ZtkAeH9fJy2XXcG2Vv_vxvIbx3rxW5MH8FEYIuSRaqks8gugKpuXW5erNtunKkNsreWtU5lLxhBSWBkSDUVmoEYxt0Pm0diAAgERXzE/s1600/haverhill.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; cssfloat: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="246px" oda="true" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjU08ePKnp1cNx08vAtnRVmlEg9HY6dX6tspgQE2ZtkAeH9fJy2XXcG2Vv_vxvIbx3rxW5MH8FEYIuSRaqks8gugKpuXW5erNtunKkNsreWtU5lLxhBSWBkSDUVmoEYxt0Pm0diAAgERXzE/s400/haverhill.jpg" width="400px" /></a></div>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.<br />
<br />
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.<br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi7UDyih5PGLRAI8x1rxzi2JxJ0KH9W0U_KsBbRWBUmYijPqmNY7TFKxNzFnwuVRgEA6F9a1d1Ls0mHmtOgXc-srhqXvQf-gT69Kx0mzp5608tsDPqmbAzYLiyalX5ji513GIYbgtCPyQ16/s1600/IMG_1815.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="300px" oda="true" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi7UDyih5PGLRAI8x1rxzi2JxJ0KH9W0U_KsBbRWBUmYijPqmNY7TFKxNzFnwuVRgEA6F9a1d1Ls0mHmtOgXc-srhqXvQf-gT69Kx0mzp5608tsDPqmbAzYLiyalX5ji513GIYbgtCPyQ16/s400/IMG_1815.JPG" width="400px" /></a></div><br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhRcxW1Z76n0HxyyGp9v_sOnMitvqJ5V_CBLPO2hU3XdJyX3i-t19WF96doxap7RiDMEQj9V9VrF_fnfz3H6nqH8y0Q_X9EsJgOTUkDxaQFh7TSsPHJHp5rQfGBu_oeQGIcEVggKF3Z8T-L/s1600/IMG_1816.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="300px" oda="true" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhRcxW1Z76n0HxyyGp9v_sOnMitvqJ5V_CBLPO2hU3XdJyX3i-t19WF96doxap7RiDMEQj9V9VrF_fnfz3H6nqH8y0Q_X9EsJgOTUkDxaQFh7TSsPHJHp5rQfGBu_oeQGIcEVggKF3Z8T-L/s400/IMG_1816.JPG" width="400px" /></a></div>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,<br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh6sF9SXsOCtYtHPujV9J6Nu8cuGiP3RC1gLQDrxxB5hEAgsd6SuK0Ob7uzbSDJ2xls8wb578vld2aHqbyk-G4fCwqnJBtu7W65azUp5pHxT1FgLBuZbl2OOFLzhHDDb_wlNgRGUCOwhxgU/s1600/IMG_1819.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="300px" oda="true" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh6sF9SXsOCtYtHPujV9J6Nu8cuGiP3RC1gLQDrxxB5hEAgsd6SuK0Ob7uzbSDJ2xls8wb578vld2aHqbyk-G4fCwqnJBtu7W65azUp5pHxT1FgLBuZbl2OOFLzhHDDb_wlNgRGUCOwhxgU/s400/IMG_1819.JPG" width="400px" /></a></div>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.<br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjUzd16Q_omjYUVq5qNrCy-ny8sBWJljpn8NGlODI7JRL_VpAMdCBJUju1rK9TMUxVRlZowuoW8xfKXFj1YOFHsX-l9ONsJEBJvwIZFvvEQ2VS_GCeUb4xvNVu4ZsMHMfVCDdFuv4QWs5h6/s1600/IMG_1823.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="400px" oda="true" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjUzd16Q_omjYUVq5qNrCy-ny8sBWJljpn8NGlODI7JRL_VpAMdCBJUju1rK9TMUxVRlZowuoW8xfKXFj1YOFHsX-l9ONsJEBJvwIZFvvEQ2VS_GCeUb4xvNVu4ZsMHMfVCDdFuv4QWs5h6/s400/IMG_1823.JPG" width="300px" /></a></div>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....Steve and Jenhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03180943724907201195noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6780747282924271238.post-29207384558234223242011-10-10T19:31:00.000-07:002011-10-10T19:31:00.147-07:00Merrimack River Kayaking Trip - Scruender Park, Methuen MA to Cashman Park, Newburyport MA<iframe frameborder="0" height="350" marginheight="0" marginwidth="0" scrolling="no" src="http://maps.google.com/maps/ms?vpsrc=6&ctz=240&ie=UTF8&msa=0&msid=201234329629539657521.0004aefb447222b68887c&t=m&ll=42.787842,-71.004639&spn=0.176369,0.291824&z=11&output=embed" width="425"></iframe><br />
<br />
One of the reasons that I purchased my Perception Avatar kayak was so that I could take longer trips. Anything over 10 miles in my 11 foot Necky and I was done. One trip in particular that I was looking forward to is the trip from Schruender Park in Methuen to Cashman Park in Newburyport. I have paddled this stretch of river in two separate trips but it had been my goal to paddle the entire stretch as a day trip. Total mileage of this trip is just about 23 miles so it is a trip that takes a bit of planning including leaving a car in Neburyport or having someone who will pick you up. For me the one good thing about having a wife that doesn't really like to kayak is she is always available to pick me up at the end of my trips.<br />
<br />
Due to the increasing boat traffic after Haverhill I didn't want to attempt this trip during the summer. I have been warned that things can get pretty crazy downstream with all of the marinas. You also need to time the tide right so you are not paddling against and incoming tide. The rule of thumb is to hit Haverhill just about at high tide. <br />
<br />
This past Sunday everything seemed to line up perfectly for my trip with a high tide at about 10:30am. I put in in Methuen around 9:00am, weather was cool with no wind and forecast to warm up to the mid 80s later in the day. The first 10 or so miles of my trip went great I was making good time but I did notice that my kayak seemed to be pulling to the left a little. I assumed I must have bent the skeg a little at put in, something I could straighten out when I stop for lunch. Once I got past Haverhill the boar traffic started to pick up significantly no doubt because of the unseasonably warm weather. A bad omen was the three large and extremely loud powerboats like the one below that screamed past me.<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjA6IPSOmDhneDckkbgClhCalqW3hjtwff23KpqEPKxwGTIk1gEetlZfcH5GM3_fHg4xRn_dbzDKUzylcXt-nQVhdSMyzWqzWG084GNDfeaaod1HdSYzsfHQaeLcfTvLbY5X4Dle9C8-cBw/s1600/IMG_1801.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjA6IPSOmDhneDckkbgClhCalqW3hjtwff23KpqEPKxwGTIk1gEetlZfcH5GM3_fHg4xRn_dbzDKUzylcXt-nQVhdSMyzWqzWG084GNDfeaaod1HdSYzsfHQaeLcfTvLbY5X4Dle9C8-cBw/s400/IMG_1801.JPG" width="400" /></a></div><br />
At about the 15 mile mark my left arm was really starting to get sore from correcting strokes needed due to the bent skeg so I decided to stop for lunch and see what I could do about it. I was able to straighten it out a bit but it was still pulling a little but I decided to power on. Boat traffic continued to increase as I headed downstream making crossing the river a bit precarious. I wanted to be on the left side of the river when I got to the Route 95 bridge so I could paddle north around the islands in Newburyport / Salisbury, The last time I paddled this section I was on the right side of the river and wasn't able to get across due to the strong current and tide. <br />
<br />
This time around I was able to stay north of the islands and was treated to less boat traffic and some really nice scenery along Deer, Eagle, Carr and Ram Islands. Quite a contrast to the marinas and the hundreds of boats on the other side of the islands. I planned to paddle north around Ram island but was pretty tired at this point so I cut between Carr and Ram Island headed across the Mariana and into the boat Launch at Cashman Park to finish up my day.<br />
<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi1cTFOGeMMAl-tUh5xQjgKZ5f0KGPfFzfbX6EKNIaOkX_0A3sUUTGmQD-PyNR_wPqRsgpKPSCFi2oJQto6mni99YS3m4plPJoj183zyHFRWvGnRYhRRnKltXP_zRyox66jr9iGErgi3kp_/s1600/IMG_1806.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi1cTFOGeMMAl-tUh5xQjgKZ5f0KGPfFzfbX6EKNIaOkX_0A3sUUTGmQD-PyNR_wPqRsgpKPSCFi2oJQto6mni99YS3m4plPJoj183zyHFRWvGnRYhRRnKltXP_zRyox66jr9iGErgi3kp_/s400/IMG_1806.JPG" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Eagle Island</td></tr>
</tbody></table><br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjSpUS4GNOCnrFg-2cibrlZ7zKHHFHGzWM38aVNlvqCG4GAz2_ODpQkKXRvzGIIDRT28mpyndSGLl-RXivAGtFsF6vqpKKMZRUqZHjNEMDJ0fyjdFTyLkNnEkWSL2B1Qfq-ZOCEOMlLLDwm/s1600/IMG_1811.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjSpUS4GNOCnrFg-2cibrlZ7zKHHFHGzWM38aVNlvqCG4GAz2_ODpQkKXRvzGIIDRT28mpyndSGLl-RXivAGtFsF6vqpKKMZRUqZHjNEMDJ0fyjdFTyLkNnEkWSL2B1Qfq-ZOCEOMlLLDwm/s400/IMG_1811.JPG" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Carr Island</td></tr>
</tbody></table><br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgvTQN5_4JfWkIV0DiXYcpwhjtpHqIgmRWdUtjAw7ZkLP53Gz0KUapZTm8rjPL-0nHjzjb0UJfVM2gtphbUZeAcCZA7ACza_CZF1Xy9JMnt8cD6o1JLXzhUGgAgjyzM-5Eak5TS4ECS7as_/s1600/IMG_1814.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgvTQN5_4JfWkIV0DiXYcpwhjtpHqIgmRWdUtjAw7ZkLP53Gz0KUapZTm8rjPL-0nHjzjb0UJfVM2gtphbUZeAcCZA7ACza_CZF1Xy9JMnt8cD6o1JLXzhUGgAgjyzM-5Eak5TS4ECS7as_/s400/IMG_1814.JPG" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Between Carr and Ram Island heading toward Cashman Park</td></tr>
</tbody></table><br />
Total mileage of my trip was just under 23 miles and I was on the water for just over 5 hours. I have some pretty sore arms and shoulders today but I am glad to have completed the trip at least just to say that I did it. The area around the islands in Newburyport is really nice. If I wasn't so tired at the end of my trip it would have been nice to explore a little. I guess that will have to be a trip for next season.Steve and Jenhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03180943724907201195noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6780747282924271238.post-62124211125813231942011-09-26T19:14:00.000-07:002011-09-26T19:14:59.256-07:00More On The Hooksett Wastewater Treatment Plant DisksThere were a couple interesting articles in the Lawrence Eagle Tribune this week about the spill this past March that released millions of plastic waste water filtration disks into the Merrimack River. The first article is about the steps they are taking in Hooksett to prevent something from happening again.<br />
<br />
<a href="http://www.eagletribune.com/local/x198126727/Hooksett-N-H-taking-steps-to-prevent-another-disk-incident-in-Merrimack">Taking steps to prevent another disk incident in the Merrimack</a><br />
<br />
The second article is about a gut from Merrimack MA who has picked up 12,000 of the disks on a short stretch of the river.<br />
<br />
<a href="http://www.eagletribune.com/local/x1243298637/The-12-000-disk-man">The 12,000 Disk Man</a><br />
<br />
Sadly, despite the new measures put in place and the cleanup efforts of many I fear we will be finding these disks in and along the Merrimack for years to come.Steve and Jenhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03180943724907201195noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6780747282924271238.post-57143462664173002922011-09-26T18:55:00.000-07:002018-07-01T11:18:25.547-07:00Seals Sneak Spray Skirt Review<div style="text-align: center;">
<iframe frameborder="0" marginheight="0" marginwidth="0" scrolling="no" src="//ws-na.amazon-adsystem.com/widgets/q?ServiceVersion=20070822&OneJS=1&Operation=GetAdHtml&MarketPlace=US&source=ac&ref=qf_sp_asin_til&ad_type=product_link&tracking_id=ourjoutoadogr-20&marketplace=amazon&region=US&placement=B001X8EUNG&asins=B001X8EUNG&linkId=877bbe356c215a7d1321825c9fa89906&show_border=true&link_opens_in_new_window=false&price_color=333333&title_color=0066c0&bg_color=ffffff" style="height: 240px; width: 120px;">
</iframe></div>
<br />
When I purchased my new kayak earlier this month with plans for taking it into the ocean I knew I would be needing a spray skirt. I went back and forth regarding getting a neoprene or nylon model but finally settled on nylon as every time I see someone trying to attach a neoprene skirt they always seem to be struggling or asking for help. Since I spend a fair amount of time paddling solo I needed something easy to get on.<br />
<br />
After a bit of research I settled on the <a href="http://www.sealsskirts.com/index.php">Seals Sneak Spray Skirt</a>. This skirt is advertised as a recreational skirt for light to moderate conditions. It has a lot of great features but at the top of the list is that it can be purchased for under $90. <br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
Some of the features of this skirt are: <br />
- Detachable Suspenders<br />
- Tensioned deck stay<br />
- Zippered Front<br />
- Mesh Pockets<br />
- Comfortable Neoprene Waistband<br />
<br />
I had a chance to use this skirt a few weeks ago in some pretty windy conditions in Boston Harbor. The waves were between 2 and 3 feet. A few waves washed completely over my bow and to the skirt's credit I stayed dry. This is a very comfortable skirt, I have used other skirts without suspenders and they never seem to stay in place. The zippered front of this skirt is really nice feature. This allows to to get at the contents of your cockpit and you can just unzip it and step put of your kayak without needing to reattach. Another nice feature is the pockets allowing you to keep waterproof items close at hand.<br />
<br />
Overall a great spray skirt for short money. Probably will need to upgrade in a couple years if I ever plan on open ocean kayaking but I think this will server me just fine for years to come.Steve and Jenhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03180943724907201195noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6780747282924271238.post-23202174065734644522011-09-19T20:45:00.000-07:002011-09-19T20:45:30.907-07:00Boston Harbor Kayak Trip - Thompson and Spectacle Islands<iframe frameborder="0" height="350" marginheight="0" marginwidth="0" scrolling="no" src="http://maps.google.com/maps/ms?msa=0&msid=201234329629539657521.0004ad409e744c9adf3a5&ie=UTF8&t=h&vpsrc=6&ll=42.325809,-71.005325&spn=0.04442,0.072956&z=13&output=embed" width="425"></iframe><br />
<small>View <a href="http://maps.google.com/maps/ms?msa=0&msid=201234329629539657521.0004ad409e744c9adf3a5&ie=UTF8&t=h&vpsrc=6&ll=42.325809,-71.005325&spn=0.04442,0.072956&z=13&source=embed" style="color: blue; text-align: left;">Boston Harbor Islands</a> in a larger map</small><br />
<br />
One of my goals for this season was to put my kayak in the ocean. One of my co-workers kayaks pretty frequently in Boston Harbor and we have been trying to schedule a trip all season. Finally this weekend our schedules meshed and we were able to get out there. Our plan was to put in in South Boston and paddle to Thompson Island and then on to Spectacle Island. I have been checking the weather forecast all week as it was supposed to cool off a bit. I was not concerned about the temperatures as much as the wind. Up until Saturday night the forecast was saying 5 - 10 mph winds. When I woke up Sunday morning the forecast changed to 15 - 20 mpg winds. Supposedly my new kayak is built for this kind of weather so I headed out in spite of my better judgement.<br />
<br />
We arrived at Pleasure Bay Park at 9am. Pleasure Bay Park is located on the South West corner of Pleasure Bay on William J Day Boulevard. There is a good sized parking lot at the park and a short walk down the beach to the water.<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiYaKI0jkPbfU3lVTF4tpoiMhJCo8lF2Un8cNEIl0iuWLUFk-mbFcwzV6ZQFfY_NopXKL_1Qy1OuucSKa53bnEsYu8M4XiVApLW9JG6Ltq5Y53KZQB-0asUnxorBzPRheWTxbmedSlShUVu/s1600/IMG_1771.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiYaKI0jkPbfU3lVTF4tpoiMhJCo8lF2Un8cNEIl0iuWLUFk-mbFcwzV6ZQFfY_NopXKL_1Qy1OuucSKa53bnEsYu8M4XiVApLW9JG6Ltq5Y53KZQB-0asUnxorBzPRheWTxbmedSlShUVu/s400/IMG_1771.JPG" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Beach at Pleasure Bay Park looking toward Thompson Island</td></tr>
</tbody></table>The wind wasn't too bad as we headed out but about a quarter of a mile into our paddle to Thompson Island it started really picking up. The wind was blowing at least 15 mpg right into our faces. This made paddling a bit of a workout to say the least. The paddle across to Thompson Island is just over a mile. Thompson is a private island that is currently home to an Outward Bound Education Center. We hiked around the island a bit and saw some of the climbing apparatuses...not for one afraid of heights. Historically the island was home to a farm and trades school from the early 1900s to about 1970.<br />
<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjJHUq-2HEojyGe9cx7IpLeTg1cjbxcMlvGs6I3u6ia6jeaTOaG_PDxRaXc9p6jG3_2zj9L4hD9t9w7lMjBL9wsvdYY3z9Dt9frYglm2SpcnlLbbp4TVyV6pZanSQ5ygbS1Log6UQWOnq0d/s1600/IMG_1773.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjJHUq-2HEojyGe9cx7IpLeTg1cjbxcMlvGs6I3u6ia6jeaTOaG_PDxRaXc9p6jG3_2zj9L4hD9t9w7lMjBL9wsvdYY3z9Dt9frYglm2SpcnlLbbp4TVyV6pZanSQ5ygbS1Log6UQWOnq0d/s400/IMG_1773.JPG" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Thompson Island looking toward Boston</td></tr>
</tbody></table><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh3j7uT3TYnSNxYeCBbjFiIDrkiPQ_4b4WpBMcDQQRqBVL84XbZjcmPY_cIqfHqu_ODaNyihDaN18xhpRGj4YLQWFJ4jJjFR3wugPb4zbT34SM1Mo1wmZEA1s7quqakFfVVxE5Q9wdxF7zq/s1600/IMG_1775.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh3j7uT3TYnSNxYeCBbjFiIDrkiPQ_4b4WpBMcDQQRqBVL84XbZjcmPY_cIqfHqu_ODaNyihDaN18xhpRGj4YLQWFJ4jJjFR3wugPb4zbT34SM1Mo1wmZEA1s7quqakFfVVxE5Q9wdxF7zq/s400/IMG_1775.JPG" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">North East side of Thompson Island looking toward Spectacle</td></tr>
</tbody></table><br />
<br />
After hiking around the island for a half hour or so we headed over to Spectacle Island. We paddled around the northern tip of Thompson Island straight across to Spectacle. The trip across was just under a mile and a half and we were again going into the wind. We also needed to cross a shipping channel. This late in the season the boat traffic was pretty light but we did need to wait for a ferry and a large pleasure boat to pass before we made our way across the channel. <br />
<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiNd8y_fWufYr_Fbx-IW7ed0npAdQfINjyZGfMmM1YzNc_5YZ8LYIU_6Mb3ZdEUCd7Q25kdUw8mFsu4U7zeDAfaZKIZQlgahvu-RmrZZEc_vb4wfO5emBpxdGWM_c4cmoMFzuIdCOJgRTJ_/s1600/IMG_1788.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiNd8y_fWufYr_Fbx-IW7ed0npAdQfINjyZGfMmM1YzNc_5YZ8LYIU_6Mb3ZdEUCd7Q25kdUw8mFsu4U7zeDAfaZKIZQlgahvu-RmrZZEc_vb4wfO5emBpxdGWM_c4cmoMFzuIdCOJgRTJ_/s400/IMG_1788.JPG" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Top of North drumlin looking toward Deer Island</td></tr>
</tbody></table><br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjWJrI227la9UblDjzvCr79SA-w_fl9F4mrFJAhf-60RwpNLMjNkPeEoCmPhbHuORA0gRxV2CusfG0_IbCdjkUjVgTPBubjXTmBNXRemCcaFFSYNkvk1IgFVjnXee2hS6d54quOKScbeQLK/s1600/IMG_1794.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjWJrI227la9UblDjzvCr79SA-w_fl9F4mrFJAhf-60RwpNLMjNkPeEoCmPhbHuORA0gRxV2CusfG0_IbCdjkUjVgTPBubjXTmBNXRemCcaFFSYNkvk1IgFVjnXee2hS6d54quOKScbeQLK/s400/IMG_1794.JPG" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">North drumlin looking at visitor center and Long Island</td></tr>
</tbody></table><br />
We landed on Spectacle Island just to the left of the pier. Spectacle Island has an interesting history. In the mid 1800s it houses a couple hotels that were closed due to illicit activities. It then became a horse rendering facility and a city dump which was active until almost 1960. In the 1990s the excavated dirt from the Big Dig Central Artery Project was used to cap and resurface the island. The island opened to visitors in 2006 as a recreational park. There is a ferry that runs to the island is Spring, Summer and Fall. The island also has a visitor center with a seasonal restaurant / snack bar. There island consists of two large hills or "drumlins". We hiked to the top of the north drumlin and the 360 degree views were great. The city skyline on one side and the outer harbor islands on the other.<br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh1oBcL-QEI2JXekRwmP0HOgErgOFVrzIDwBllpjFiKOblu0UWZH6n83rW_t6ljLWFcOTwKyaf-jqcL7n3Sf4Nerd5SyRKPby_L55q7LooVSC3RLtF2wSXkSJtKxYC7T4WeFMHA26P6v1a_/s1600/IMG_1797.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh1oBcL-QEI2JXekRwmP0HOgErgOFVrzIDwBllpjFiKOblu0UWZH6n83rW_t6ljLWFcOTwKyaf-jqcL7n3Sf4Nerd5SyRKPby_L55q7LooVSC3RLtF2wSXkSJtKxYC7T4WeFMHA26P6v1a_/s400/IMG_1797.JPG" width="300" /></a></div><br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhN3jORgW72JRgT5PgzBRNqoo60pyvYD2HzuQEZ4VAY4jGuGXvS_Ax3BA3qNcpSIQOIkc4BVjTuf9ITkB_pqAMRcK9OvAm3oXL3LmqrrQppeWJWideEJIt-HL6oRpt4BZwg3v2DwOhOzsnt/s1600/IMG_1798.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhN3jORgW72JRgT5PgzBRNqoo60pyvYD2HzuQEZ4VAY4jGuGXvS_Ax3BA3qNcpSIQOIkc4BVjTuf9ITkB_pqAMRcK9OvAm3oXL3LmqrrQppeWJWideEJIt-HL6oRpt4BZwg3v2DwOhOzsnt/s400/IMG_1798.JPG" width="400" /></a></div><br />
<br />
After hiking back down we headed back to South Boston with the wind at out backs which made the paddle much much more enjoyable. I was really able to test my new kayak on this trip in conditions that it was made for. My paddling partner who kayaks in the harbor almost exclusively has a kayak a bit shorter and higher volume than my Avatar and I found myself having to stop and wait for him. This was in no way due to my superior paddling ability but exclusively the speed of my kayak. I am very impressed with how fast it is especially in rough conditions.<br />
<br />
Total distance of this paddle was about four and a half miles. We were out in the harbor for about 3 and a half hours. We probably spent less than 2 hours actually paddling the rest of the time was spent exploring the islands. It was great to finally get into the ocean and experience some real waves and rough conditions. There are about a dozen more islands out in the harbor to explore. I just wish the season wasn't coming to an end. Looking forward to getting out there at least once more this year and will have something to look forward to in the spring.Steve and Jenhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03180943724907201195noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6780747282924271238.post-26815851849891171482011-09-11T21:03:00.000-07:002011-09-11T21:03:50.541-07:00Perception Avatar 15.5When I started kayaking last year I never would have anticipated being the owner of three kayaks in just a year, but here I am just having purchased a third kayak. Over the past couple months I have found that I seem to be outgrowing my 11 foot Necky. I still love my Necky and it is perfect for small winding rivers and trips under 10 miles. But for trips over 10 miles I find that I am reaching the limit of my little boat. I also have been really wanting to get into the ocean and my Necky is just not the right boat for that type of trip.<br />
<br />
So over the past couple months I have been scouring Craigslist looking for a nice, inexpensive, used sea kayak. My criteria was something around $500, over 14 feet in length, with a skeg or rudder and generally something that I could grow into. Last week there was an ad for a Perception Avatar, I looked up the specs and read the reviews of the boat and it seemed like it would be a great fit for me. It met all of my criteria and was being offered at a good price so I headed over to take a look and ended up coming home with a new boat.<br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiewCnJEPu5RJFp3xO8rr0u7r3Q-E773EY00GpySxB2Wb7az084MXdSuQBlJiCpPtpVduvBqQkJwaRM4wzNN1IJFhwa5xIjZLNq7p1Z-q-3byVvTWzTqD0joPwF1yR5Xj4NXBbORTCD9aBJ/s1600/IMG_5496.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="198" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiewCnJEPu5RJFp3xO8rr0u7r3Q-E773EY00GpySxB2Wb7az084MXdSuQBlJiCpPtpVduvBqQkJwaRM4wzNN1IJFhwa5xIjZLNq7p1Z-q-3byVvTWzTqD0joPwF1yR5Xj4NXBbORTCD9aBJ/s400/IMG_5496.JPG" width="400" /></a></div><br />
From what I can tell the Avatar family of kayaks were manufactured from 2003 through 2008. They include a 16 foot composite version, a 15 foot 10 inch plastic version and a 15 foot 7 inch plastic version (which I purchased).<br />
<br />
The specs on the boat are as follows:<br />
<br />
Length: 15' - 7"<br />
Width: 23 1/4"<br />
Weight: 54 lbs<br />
Cockpit: 34" x 19"<br />
<br />
According to Perception, the Avatar was designed with the Greenland style in mind and reflects progressive thinking by our touring boat designers. Brent Reitz was very instrumental in the design of the Avatar. The Avatar features a multi-chine hull design that relies on its graceful sleek hull design for turning rather than a rudder system.<br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi5lZOX27_39paLgYFqXBx82zkGxkvPGvY9ZsCu2jdQJ5Auu3FGROTEIHPZE4orqz3omUkGZrbMOmb8XO33T6IZ7qX0TlcFFm-j9p64BscBEdhHMLWqP3qQMY6A_5C95irT05CPp_juuiHi/s1600/IMG_5501.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="266" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi5lZOX27_39paLgYFqXBx82zkGxkvPGvY9ZsCu2jdQJ5Auu3FGROTEIHPZE4orqz3omUkGZrbMOmb8XO33T6IZ7qX0TlcFFm-j9p64BscBEdhHMLWqP3qQMY6A_5C95irT05CPp_juuiHi/s400/IMG_5501.JPG" width="400" /></a></div><br />
<br />
First Impressions:<br />
<br />
I took the boat out for for my first trip this past Saturday. I wanted to paddle waters that I was familiar with so I headed down to the Merrimack River in Methuen for the 10 mile downstream paddle to Haverhill. My first disappointment with this kayak is that I found that my kayak cart will not fit into either the bow or stern hatch. I was able to easily fit this cart into the stern hatch of my Necky. The stern compartment is taken up by the skeg box and the bow is fairly shallow making it impossible to fit anything tall inside. I believe this is due to the Greenland style design.<br />
<br />
Getting into the water I immediately noticed that this kayak does not have the initial stability that the rec kayaks that I usually paddle do. The boat felt pretty twitchy as I was heading out and took a couple miles to get used to. I was also paddling into a pretty stiff wind which was pushing me around more than I expected it to. The wind shortly settled down and I settled into a nice rhythm. I could tell that this was much faster than my 11 foot necky. I could get it up to speed faster and it has a really good glide to it. I had to make some seat and foot adjustments along the way to get comfortable but once I was locked in I found the boat to be very comfortable. Especially the seat which has a great Geltech seat pad. <br />
<br />
One aspect that will take some getting used to is that I could not position my feet vertically on the foot braces as I am accustomed to. The bow is so narrow that I needed to angle my feet outward in a V to fit comfortably. When reading reviews of the Avatar one of the complaints about this boat is if you wear over a size 12 shoe your feet won't fit. Not an issue for me though as I wear a size 8.<br />
<br />
I was hoping to try out the skeg on this trip but the mechanism is a bit sticky and needs to manually be pulled up and down. I will need to do a little maintenance on it in the off season. I was not sure if I was going to feel too confined with the much smaller cockpit in this boat, made even smaller by the thigh pads. But I quickly got used to it as I was able to lock my self in and really feel connected to the kayak. Before I knew it I was at my take out in Haverhill and I noticed it took me quite a bit less time to get there than when I took this trip just a couple weeks ago. I checked my GPS when I got home and found that the Avatar is significantly faster than my Necky Manitou.<br />
<br />
I last paddled this route in my Necky on August 26th. It took me 2 hours and 23 minutes with and average speed of 3.9 mph. This past Saturday in my Avatar it took me 1 hour and 46 minutes with and average speed of 5.2 mph.<br />
<br />
Overall I am very happy with my Perception Avatar 15.5. It is a very fast boat that will allow me to get out on longer trips and into the ocean. This is a boat that I will be able to grow into. I am really looking forward to longer trips and my first trip into the ocean.Steve and Jenhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03180943724907201195noreply@blogger.com5tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6780747282924271238.post-63322725907647300192011-08-23T20:13:00.000-07:002011-08-23T20:15:46.438-07:00Kayak 3 Rivers in 5 Miles - Merrimack, Spicket and Shawsheen<iframe frameborder="0" height="350" marginheight="0" marginwidth="0" scrolling="no" src="http://maps.google.com/maps/ms?msa=0&msid=201234329629539657521.0004ab35e63483fca7121&ie=UTF8&t=h&vpsrc=0&ll=42.715108,-71.138594&spn=0.024508,0.0196&output=embed" width="425"></iframe><br />
<small>View <a href="http://maps.google.com/maps/ms?msa=0&msid=201234329629539657521.0004ab35e63483fca7121&ie=UTF8&t=h&vpsrc=0&ll=42.715108,-71.138594&spn=0.024508,0.0196&source=embed" style="color: blue; text-align: left;">Shawsheen and Spicket Rivers</a> in a larger map</small><br />
<br />
<small>At the end of last season I attempted to paddle upstream on the Merrimack River to the mouths of the Spicket and Shawsheen Rivers. They are on opposite sides of the river about 2 miles upstream from where I put in at Schruender Park in Methuen. On my last attempt the water level was too low so I was only able to look from a distance at these rivers. Over the last couple weeks we have gotten quite a bit of rain which seems to have replenished the river levels quite a bit. So I decided this past Sunday to make another attempt to paddle upstream on the Shawsheen and Spicket rivers.</small><br />
<br />
<small>I strapped my kayak to my cart nice and early and hiked down the street to my put in at Schruender Park in Methuen. As expected the water levels were higher that they were a few weeks ago and after just a few minutes of paddling against the current I could feel it in my arms. But I pushed through it and continued about 2 miles upstream to the mouth of the Spicket River. I was glad to see that there was indeed enough water flowing so I would be able to paddle upstream for at least a short distance. I was pretty disturbed by the amount of trash deposited along the banks, tires, auto parts, appliances, pretty sad actually. </small><br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjcRiZKv6dMOYKFcPOCW_UEvaRNQrkzR3vH6j8ZNosGFA6jJ1pLdCF2MJ68pQ6TWVxhGj6QFhqvqF42TWMJyydVsgs-XyJ-UIAY-24U6VQ_YmVRLudzgwpOHC_G0GwlXaXEYbGKPooekzx8/s1600/IMG_1728.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjcRiZKv6dMOYKFcPOCW_UEvaRNQrkzR3vH6j8ZNosGFA6jJ1pLdCF2MJ68pQ6TWVxhGj6QFhqvqF42TWMJyydVsgs-XyJ-UIAY-24U6VQ_YmVRLudzgwpOHC_G0GwlXaXEYbGKPooekzx8/s400/IMG_1728.JPG" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Mouth of the Spicket River</td></tr>
</tbody></table><small>After paddling about 200 yards upstream I encountered a sand bar that I needed to portage over and another 100 yards or so I encountered another shallow portion that I considered portaging over as well but looking upstream it looked like I would be doing more portaging than paddling so I decided to turn around , head back downstream and see what the Shawsheen River had to offer. There were a couple interesting features in this section of the Spicket river. First being the discharge waterfall of the lawrence canal. The seconsd was the very large pipe that ran under the Canal Street bridge. Not sure wat that pipe carries or once carried but it was huge. I was a bit disappointed that I was only able to paddle about 300 yards upstream but I was glad to have at least done that.</small><br />
<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg7ihQgjydRUTE9y8NKUl6aJncwcKWeJPRNS0LXIVUC_EXFp2TGf4KeaxyS388hlXC4hjx9_IQZYFIRs3nUK20JmSQDcMtbEmJoPSFm1JgD9jx5-Vr3-3xcYQ2x1bl-gqbQfZMqs7DqzkJA/s1600/IMG_1729.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg7ihQgjydRUTE9y8NKUl6aJncwcKWeJPRNS0LXIVUC_EXFp2TGf4KeaxyS388hlXC4hjx9_IQZYFIRs3nUK20JmSQDcMtbEmJoPSFm1JgD9jx5-Vr3-3xcYQ2x1bl-gqbQfZMqs7DqzkJA/s400/IMG_1729.JPG" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Lawrence Canal discharge</td></tr>
</tbody></table><br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjVJ2khqFTsBc-NyihXKOJokYY2quBIziQbvwp4Nj11GF0VUhcPFAHUKTL4_w5CHclI0k4g26TpchNptlnpjPJkc5uGA-yCMvQ6yiSKnbgADvjBpv5jf3gL21WK9npLab70hJD-Q_v2lDJy/s1600/IMG_1731.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjVJ2khqFTsBc-NyihXKOJokYY2quBIziQbvwp4Nj11GF0VUhcPFAHUKTL4_w5CHclI0k4g26TpchNptlnpjPJkc5uGA-yCMvQ6yiSKnbgADvjBpv5jf3gL21WK9npLab70hJD-Q_v2lDJy/s400/IMG_1731.JPG" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Upstream toward Canal Street Bridge</td></tr>
</tbody></table><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhhL9sTuOLrgOq5RtdE55MIc9iG9MAnd6BCk2xJmEWO3nzECYMNKsdipJLWcZIATYQ4NnUCg7FKcVeluv2HiqSrCNylD7vdorH_aRhO2B2VfuYTpBFPH2w7tCsevw9MGbNhFYJ1bQQM-vYN/s1600/IMG_1735.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhhL9sTuOLrgOq5RtdE55MIc9iG9MAnd6BCk2xJmEWO3nzECYMNKsdipJLWcZIATYQ4NnUCg7FKcVeluv2HiqSrCNylD7vdorH_aRhO2B2VfuYTpBFPH2w7tCsevw9MGbNhFYJ1bQQM-vYN/s400/IMG_1735.JPG" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Under the Canal Street Bridge looking downstream</td></tr>
</tbody></table><small>The mouth of the Shawsheen river is interesting in that in order to get through it you need to paddle through a 200 yard tunnel. There are actually three tunnels side by side so you have a choice of which one to paddle through. I sat in front of them for a few minutes contemplating if I really wanted to paddle through and if so which one. Finally I decided to just pick the one in the middle and went for it. I have to say it was pretty damn creepy. You at least have the light at the other end of the tunnel to guide you but when you get to the 100 yard mark it is very dark. At one point my paddle caught on something which felt like something pulling on, this really freaked me out. Needless to say I picked up the pace and eventually made it to the other end and daylight.</small><br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgNoUuYyDcg-d6urK_yE8Hoxz1ahpPEzr7_asiuwUJHjR9AZih8WtxI_SzXtx6CGcinTlg4RKTY_pwUG6H0r6c5zvkQwwIZO6INujkjAZ7hTE4Jp9uZA0P_VeRL1DPhI2iE-7Mfsh4cHM-m/s1600/IMG_1736.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgNoUuYyDcg-d6urK_yE8Hoxz1ahpPEzr7_asiuwUJHjR9AZih8WtxI_SzXtx6CGcinTlg4RKTY_pwUG6H0r6c5zvkQwwIZO6INujkjAZ7hTE4Jp9uZA0P_VeRL1DPhI2iE-7Mfsh4cHM-m/s400/IMG_1736.JPG" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Tunnels at the mouth of the Shawsheen River</td></tr>
</tbody></table><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj9bYBYZ0tvcVV5P80MOPsqyhyphenhyphenL4kE9UlQDq7Uh6OHF-m0-2nNE_TZLmJJgB_QCnNTYtN6-rNdAGYXEtALJc35dVpm7NXmgYNc7F0P8Sazy9wSjHKyAtENvqhTAXgO1ItRa0XJBnq8HABgV/s1600/IMG_1738.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj9bYBYZ0tvcVV5P80MOPsqyhyphenhyphenL4kE9UlQDq7Uh6OHF-m0-2nNE_TZLmJJgB_QCnNTYtN6-rNdAGYXEtALJc35dVpm7NXmgYNc7F0P8Sazy9wSjHKyAtENvqhTAXgO1ItRa0XJBnq8HABgV/s400/IMG_1738.JPG" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Daylight!!!! Other side of the tunnel</td></tr>
</tbody></table><small>After paddling through the tunnel I was able to paddle another 250 or so yards until I encountered some rocks and quick water just under the Haverhill commuter rail bridge. Not feeling much in the mood for any more portaging I turned around headed back downstream through the same middle tunnel I came through and headed for home. The trip back through the tunnel was uneventful but no less creepy.</small><br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj3L44DTZewDGXDQBHXjXIksGD2R23bSaI2Mb3HWl8SSeUx-9-3BPDlCiQ9VYJnoOdU4netcG3ln5sG9yRreoWH14P0JK-xp4cYsqowlu9puXrzaDtjqRtOFUC0R0tA7Oj4IbKWRoifw67y/s1600/IMG_1739.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj3L44DTZewDGXDQBHXjXIksGD2R23bSaI2Mb3HWl8SSeUx-9-3BPDlCiQ9VYJnoOdU4netcG3ln5sG9yRreoWH14P0JK-xp4cYsqowlu9puXrzaDtjqRtOFUC0R0tA7Oj4IbKWRoifw67y/s400/IMG_1739.JPG" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">End of the line on the Shawsheen River</td></tr>
</tbody></table><small>On the way home I decided to hug the shoreline a bit in hopes of another bald eagle sighting, I was not to be disappointed. About a mile downstream a beautiful mature bald eagle took off from a branch above my head. I did not have my camera ready but I watched as he soared a few hundred yards downstream and flew into the trees. So I readied my camera and continued hugging the shore paddling downstream just in case he decided to surprise me again. Just as I was thinking I missed him he popped out just above my head again but I had my camera ready this time. Not a great shot but if you click on the picture below you can see the white on his tail.</small><br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh-WAM0MRjx3SdOvpxooRKHy1Kl_PhJ8NDH26EetvNo32CdriX5F9tsglQ6z01sa3ntKQ1i_J2n4F1qdqvpCRGw-jmCxT4c5H7QhYR4qdfzxxlI1QSFC3HSLNcx28kjp_Pumz9wCtjA8LQb/s1600/IMG_1740.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="227" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh-WAM0MRjx3SdOvpxooRKHy1Kl_PhJ8NDH26EetvNo32CdriX5F9tsglQ6z01sa3ntKQ1i_J2n4F1qdqvpCRGw-jmCxT4c5H7QhYR4qdfzxxlI1QSFC3HSLNcx28kjp_Pumz9wCtjA8LQb/s400/IMG_1740.JPG" width="400" /></a></div><br />
<small>Total mileage of this trip was about 5 miles and I was on the water for just under 2 hours. I was really hoping to be able to paddle further upstream on the Spicket and Shawsheen Rivers but I am beginning to think it may only be possible in the early Spring. Overall a nice little trip the highlight being my second trip of the year seeing a bald eagle.</small>Steve and Jenhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03180943724907201195noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6780747282924271238.post-49856775377934487302011-07-31T21:09:00.000-07:002011-07-31T21:21:30.072-07:00Merrimack River Kayak Trip - Lawrence MA to Bradford MA<iframe frameborder="0" height="350" marginheight="0" marginwidth="0" scrolling="no" src="http://maps.google.com/maps/ms?msa=0&msid=201234329629539657521.0004a96872b1faf31640a&ie=UTF8&t=h&ll=42.737805,-71.118399&spn=0.071815,0.09234&output=embed" width="425"></iframe><small>View <a href="http://maps.google.com/maps/ms?msa=0&msid=201234329629539657521.0004a96872b1faf31640a&ie=UTF8&t=h&ll=42.737805,-71.118399&spn=0.071815,0.09234&source=embed" style="color: blue; text-align: left;">Merrimack River - Lowell to Bradford</a> in a larger map</small><br />
<br />
I attended another trip today with the MRWC. This trip was on my home turf as it would take us right past my usual put-in in Methuen. I have paddled this section of the river many times but this was my first time using the put in and take out that we used for this trip.<br />
<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjlQrUL6gMx-xRq-wSb15plYWcp6Y3lFdpPd-CO3Obf0ozVe4g4P25mzM1D7B4EiVq8-FFZKmd2mIK4omLTNJtCXZUPjKydAGWMnuTbVPmmVi8XQwxAtkyZn3QnfDwFUU6fUOo8A2cB3i3N/s1600/IMG_1712.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjlQrUL6gMx-xRq-wSb15plYWcp6Y3lFdpPd-CO3Obf0ozVe4g4P25mzM1D7B4EiVq8-FFZKmd2mIK4omLTNJtCXZUPjKydAGWMnuTbVPmmVi8XQwxAtkyZn3QnfDwFUU6fUOo8A2cB3i3N/s400/IMG_1712.JPG" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Boat Launch at Pemberton Park, Lawrence MA</td></tr>
</tbody></table><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEijyV1BW2uPHKoAAv2C6KcRhscxf72X-rGKmjUjnEE9MGKf79KWO8piYmm4rUsb9UVQVF2WH3kyzL7Z5WoyBRaUoCl1e2TcXzpKW1p1cbFzajpq7ABargKwjs6xHi1NwehblAmd8lJgFtqd/s1600/IMG_1709.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEijyV1BW2uPHKoAAv2C6KcRhscxf72X-rGKmjUjnEE9MGKf79KWO8piYmm4rUsb9UVQVF2WH3kyzL7Z5WoyBRaUoCl1e2TcXzpKW1p1cbFzajpq7ABargKwjs6xHi1NwehblAmd8lJgFtqd/s400/IMG_1709.JPG" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Merrimack River just below the Great Stone Dam Lawremce MA</td></tr>
</tbody></table><br />
We started the trip at the boat launch Pemberton Park in Lawrence. This launch is just below the Great Stone Dam. The ramp itself is very nice and is in pretty good shape. There is a small beach area at the bottom of the ramp that was great for launching kayaks. The park leading to the ramp was another story, There were numerous homeless people living in the park and what appeared to be other illicit activity going on. Nobody bothered us but I would not be really comfortable leaving my car there for an extended period of time.<br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiKZRhfYbNTGbwN5nqNCDWoS4MOsivtbJBCNvnOrzZ_e05irOiQi9PKcmuzJKaJ1n_lL7xAmaKlMQHuyzl-wytx3VNcBNUal00a9U-X0UwzkjtOnUr6zsYgUxuED1VNWtjviFIEGIKrdvs2/s1600/IMG_1715.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiKZRhfYbNTGbwN5nqNCDWoS4MOsivtbJBCNvnOrzZ_e05irOiQi9PKcmuzJKaJ1n_lL7xAmaKlMQHuyzl-wytx3VNcBNUal00a9U-X0UwzkjtOnUr6zsYgUxuED1VNWtjviFIEGIKrdvs2/s400/IMG_1715.JPG" width="400" /></a></div><br />
After shuttling our cars to the takeout we were underway. The first mile and a half of this trip takes you through downtown Lawrence. There are large mills on both sides of the river in this section. This section is also where the Spicket River empties into the Merrimack on river left and the Shawsheen on River right, At about this one and a half mile mark we passed under route 495. Once under this bridge the banks of the river appear much more rural with mostly wooded banks for the next 6 or so miles. The river is pretty wide but the current does give you a nice little push. Currently though the river is very low. Lower than I have seen it in some time, so the current was not helping too much. The low level also reveals the rocky bottom. There are several rock gardens to navigate as most of us found as we slid over or just heard the thud of the rocks hitting out boats. There is one short section of quick water once past the island at the 6 mile point but because of the low water level it wasn't as quick as it is at other times of the year.<br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiiAVDvieZFul6tAFbT-vv9-N73uUctIyGVS9HYUQbQBLi5QkH3F1-O9BCxVWreigjfMcWqlENKzEgUbOhDo9sOdBtrrhb2EszLB610-RwUox2ZxlyryNehkzz6hKgRVr5U-xHN24pUZZmr/s1600/IMG_1720.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="267" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiiAVDvieZFul6tAFbT-vv9-N73uUctIyGVS9HYUQbQBLi5QkH3F1-O9BCxVWreigjfMcWqlENKzEgUbOhDo9sOdBtrrhb2EszLB610-RwUox2ZxlyryNehkzz6hKgRVr5U-xHN24pUZZmr/s400/IMG_1720.JPG" width="400" /></a></div><br />
The highlight of this trip had to be our bald eagle sightings. I have paddled this section of the river at least a half-dozen times over the past couple years and I have never seen an eagle. I have always wanted to and I was told they are out there but they have always eluded me....until this trip. We saw four eagles and I couldn't have been more excited. The first two were pointed out to be by another paddler. They were soaring very high above us and if someone had not said something I probably would have just though they were hawks. But as I looked closer I could definitely see the telltale white tail and head. I snapped a picture but they were so high they just look like a dot unless you zoom way in on the picture. See above. I would have been satisfied with the first sighting but a few miles downstream another eagle flew over our heads at treetop height. If that weren't enough another mile downstream we watched an immature eagle fly away with a large fish. I was unable to get a picture of the second two eagles as I was just enjoying watching them. This would have been a perfect time to have my DSLR camera with me but I just can't bring myself to drag $800 worth of camera and lens near the water. Might just have to invest in some type of waterproof enclosure so I can get some pictures of these majestic birds.<br />
<br />
After our excitement with the eagles we paddled our final couple miles through downtown Haverhill. This final leg was made a bit harder as we were working against the tide and were baking in 90 degree sun. But we all made it to our takeout at the public ramp next to the Crescent Yacht Club on Ferry Street in Bradford. As I mentioned earlier this was my first time using this boat ramp. There were a few powerboats putting in here bit there seemed to be plenty of parking. Nice to know this is an option if I don't feel like going the extra couple miles to the car top launch at Riverside park on my next trip.<br />
<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjz7Sd7-KpZyd4a6ljmNrkc4nAHytE_v5VbzQuFV7iDVrnl0jgeZr44FTs7SwbFmE4v3fzfhW6IFOueo3GGfLVQawR99hniI3bZ7WnF5nH72-i-kbZMjTMvgzZjXiwER4lFwedIicResh-v/s1600/IMG_1724.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjz7Sd7-KpZyd4a6ljmNrkc4nAHytE_v5VbzQuFV7iDVrnl0jgeZr44FTs7SwbFmE4v3fzfhW6IFOueo3GGfLVQawR99hniI3bZ7WnF5nH72-i-kbZMjTMvgzZjXiwER4lFwedIicResh-v/s400/IMG_1724.JPG" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Publir ramp next to Crescent Yacht Club, Bradford MA</td></tr>
</tbody></table><br />
Total miles of this trip was just over 10 miles and it took us about 3 hours excluding our stop for lunch. At higher water this past June I paddled this section of river in under 2 hours so we were a bit slower than normal. Another great day on the water and it was amazing to finally see some bald eagles practically in my back yard.Steve and Jenhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03180943724907201195noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6780747282924271238.post-85840449376218350432011-07-26T21:17:00.000-07:002011-07-26T21:17:35.698-07:00Merrimack River Kayak Trip - Lowell to Dracut<iframe frameborder="0" height="350" marginheight="0" marginwidth="0" scrolling="no" src="http://maps.google.com/maps/ms?msa=0&msid=201234329629539657521.0004a8d9dcc219254794c&ie=UTF8&ll=42.655214,-71.280266&spn=0.022055,0.077717&t=h&output=embed" width="425"></iframe><br />
<small>View <a href="http://maps.google.com/maps/ms?msa=0&msid=201234329629539657521.0004a8d9dcc219254794c&ie=UTF8&ll=42.655214,-71.280266&spn=0.022055,0.077717&t=h&source=embed" style="color: blue; text-align: left;">Merrimack River - Lowell - Dracut</a> in a larger map</small><br />
<br />
<small>Last weekend I participated in another of the MRWC kayaking trips. I penciled this trip into my calendar early this season as it was the only section of the Merrimack River in Massachusetts that I have not paddles. The trip started at the foot of the Pawtucket Falls in Lowell and we took out at the Dracut / Methuen line. </small><small>Our put in for this trip was right behind Lelacheur Park. The walk down to the water was a bit hairy as it included a walk down a fairly steep embankment covered with gravel as well as traversing a few washed up trees. One of the kayakers on the trip is an usher at the park so we were able to leave our kayaks under the bleachers while we shuttled the cars to the tale out.</small><br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhyHlk6HzVIZTN258Wbuu7hs4fEuIC5hmsR092_KFdyoly51kfmNBoh-4HRQuDidQZQZkoSgcNCmk9vbUwtdZSRHlbR-a0NimEbqZmF2NVirQJCkMsRpxYbL7-7MkpAopSsHdag3z5gDiC5/s1600/IMG_1664.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhyHlk6HzVIZTN258Wbuu7hs4fEuIC5hmsR092_KFdyoly51kfmNBoh-4HRQuDidQZQZkoSgcNCmk9vbUwtdZSRHlbR-a0NimEbqZmF2NVirQJCkMsRpxYbL7-7MkpAopSsHdag3z5gDiC5/s400/IMG_1664.JPG" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Put in behind Lelacheur Park</td></tr>
</tbody></table><small>Once underway we headed straight across the river to do a little exploring of the mouth of Beaver Brook. This was as fun little side trip for me as I remember fishing in this brook as a kid. The brook was fairly shallow so we were only able to paddle 100 or so yards upstream before we had to turn around. Wildlife was pretty sparse on this trip, along with a few Great Blue Heron and Cormorants we did see the below gaggle of geese who waited patently for us to vacate beaver brook. Nice to see non-Canadian geese for a change.</small><br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiPGOCFrXTfRqj3rfP-3Yj8RHRHJS3SM2EeKccYXZT-lw4SWHIyA_vKI4N13NVQqi99tpQbiyigXoAcRESPZo5XKjzvAyN6IJAoe2pDxng34Lcod-Z01P7V0OSTA1CVqKR_VNLhKE8j6o-i/s1600/IMG_1669.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiPGOCFrXTfRqj3rfP-3Yj8RHRHJS3SM2EeKccYXZT-lw4SWHIyA_vKI4N13NVQqi99tpQbiyigXoAcRESPZo5XKjzvAyN6IJAoe2pDxng34Lcod-Z01P7V0OSTA1CVqKR_VNLhKE8j6o-i/s400/IMG_1669.JPG" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Beaver Brook Geese</td></tr>
</tbody></table><small>Upon exiting Beaver Brook we headed downstream passing under the Aiken Street (Ouellette) Bridge. Once under the bridge we encountered our first set if rapids. This section of the river is very shallow and rocky so our trip leaders directed us through a chute on the right side of the river. We all made it through upright although most of is bounced off a couple rocks on our way through this section. I have crossed over the Aiken Street bridge countless times over the past few years looking forward to kayaking this section of the river so it was great to finally conquer it.</small><br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiGBwLw4o3UEz5aW8m3CaMhP6n3Qe_5BjntQz72kmxrfyiN0E1XHhfSic2G1kgeBsGAtUt33X1J7k1iTbdTish7jEdM4KifZ_y4Bw-fY3wlGhE2r5G2tVOtahW2mOLKiTlbIleQftMap6Hj/s1600/IMG_1657.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiGBwLw4o3UEz5aW8m3CaMhP6n3Qe_5BjntQz72kmxrfyiN0E1XHhfSic2G1kgeBsGAtUt33X1J7k1iTbdTish7jEdM4KifZ_y4Bw-fY3wlGhE2r5G2tVOtahW2mOLKiTlbIleQftMap6Hj/s400/IMG_1657.JPG" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Looking downstream from Aiken Street Bridge</td></tr>
</tbody></table><br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiZmEq3C8BIyD1uGkB_0YfJ8ipwaQVgTFL5fEdmJpVwJMVdtH-x3tlaUlmHL7_aeO7aYV6rOM9O2c8EAiq1wLUXXhPwOYXIkUgeHWQU27FXlTvlLA0H2IhTBAnRNLE-cCsU8590ITVzoeWH/s1600/IMG_1675.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiZmEq3C8BIyD1uGkB_0YfJ8ipwaQVgTFL5fEdmJpVwJMVdtH-x3tlaUlmHL7_aeO7aYV6rOM9O2c8EAiq1wLUXXhPwOYXIkUgeHWQU27FXlTvlLA0H2IhTBAnRNLE-cCsU8590ITVzoeWH/s400/IMG_1675.JPG" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Looking upstream toward rapids and Aiken Street Bridge</td></tr>
</tbody></table><small>The next mile of the is the urban section of the trip which took us past various old mill buildings. Some of these mills have been restored and converted to condos others are in a pretty bad state of disrepair. Passing under these mills are the Lowell canals which at one time provided power for the mill machinery. We paddled past a couple sections where the canals emptied themselves back into the Merrimack.</small><br />
<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjtHQMix4zJPKvkCIckRuESIw621UfQ8haapHPDVGNGY9lZRJj1mBgJiir7bK5SiJ5KaRzgO-FMn94yF1TFGesQZX2zYcbLGKB9LViXyoVlc7urpUXFi-iJ_ce0EIuHCwbinv4SZ7Whzwhs/s1600/IMG_1682.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjtHQMix4zJPKvkCIckRuESIw621UfQ8haapHPDVGNGY9lZRJj1mBgJiir7bK5SiJ5KaRzgO-FMn94yF1TFGesQZX2zYcbLGKB9LViXyoVlc7urpUXFi-iJ_ce0EIuHCwbinv4SZ7Whzwhs/s400/IMG_1682.JPG" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Lowell Canal discharge</td></tr>
</tbody></table><small>Our next side trip took us through the mouth of the Concord River. We paddled as far as we could upstream which was only about 300 or so yards where the river got a bit shallow. We were just behind Lowell Memorial Auditorium at this point. There were a couple small waves in this section so a couple of us stopped to play.</small><br />
<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjb8VGuCfPtCe9TAj2REhQndd97_RoHsO7m_uWKxIYV96O3XpbuFLa_8_8tKpnER_dX4Lnjho0-rnLaAt2Hbj7ftlj4pecJOkEHJubJ_urhiz3WEd8aVNFXxu6UncY7VwiHC1cghwaHJmqn/s1600/IMG_1688.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjb8VGuCfPtCe9TAj2REhQndd97_RoHsO7m_uWKxIYV96O3XpbuFLa_8_8tKpnER_dX4Lnjho0-rnLaAt2Hbj7ftlj4pecJOkEHJubJ_urhiz3WEd8aVNFXxu6UncY7VwiHC1cghwaHJmqn/s400/IMG_1688.JPG" width="300" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Mouth of the Concord River</td></tr>
</tbody></table><small>Continuing on another mile downstream and we passed under Hunts Falls bridge and then encountered Hunts Falls itself. Our trip leader advised us not to attempt to paddle over the falls as there was not enough water and we would most likely get hung up. We paddled through this section on the left side of the river through a nice little section of quick water. We then decided to break for lunch. After lunch, before we continued downstream the trip leader asked if anyone was interested in playing in the larger waves of the falls. Even though I don't have a whitewater boat I was feeling brave so I headed across and surfed a bit in the big waves. Looking it the wave in the picture below I think there was plenty of water to paddle through this section. Although I am probably better off now that I didn't.</small><br />
<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEinOONFs3WXYjrywbLKv3pdg8OkAnU7aNKK0xjNA90KlLn9Ik94os8T4qE2XoMv4futcrjuTWskkgn1ekhJApr7mawIL_09m6XLHb7-UUChMSqYuBy5zPHMNzGdSK5Cv024O2zZd9ILVmOu/s1600/IMG_1694.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEinOONFs3WXYjrywbLKv3pdg8OkAnU7aNKK0xjNA90KlLn9Ik94os8T4qE2XoMv4futcrjuTWskkgn1ekhJApr7mawIL_09m6XLHb7-UUChMSqYuBy5zPHMNzGdSK5Cv024O2zZd9ILVmOu/s400/IMG_1694.JPG" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Looking upstream at Hunts Falls</td></tr>
</tbody></table><br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg_Xr8f8-BESkqG5NJA0kYKHf-s7PtRJP7bfeoWcyD2LopGAyrtwFAfZnzaX3UAgm9rZmu2YZXwoY_igqLXlAwel6eQhOZ2apPYxg7yboNinJLqTsFFOkoJwU3NsdR9JGq2wGjip35rIZtt/s1600/IMG_1700.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg_Xr8f8-BESkqG5NJA0kYKHf-s7PtRJP7bfeoWcyD2LopGAyrtwFAfZnzaX3UAgm9rZmu2YZXwoY_igqLXlAwel6eQhOZ2apPYxg7yboNinJLqTsFFOkoJwU3NsdR9JGq2wGjip35rIZtt/s400/IMG_1700.JPG" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Playing in the big waves at Hunts falls</td></tr>
</tbody></table><small>For the final three or so miles of the trip the river widens up a bit. Right after Hunts Falls there is a waste water treatment plant that smells pretty ripe on some days. It wasn't too bad on the day we paddled this section, I didn't even realize we passed it. Right after the falls the river is dotted with a bunch of small rock islands. The current moves fairly quick so the three miles goes fast. The river gets a bit wider and deeper as well so the power boat and jet ski traffic increases. They seemed to be pretty courteous though and gave us a wide berth. The right side of the river in this section is fairly residential and also tales you by a few golf courses in the Town of Andover. The left side of the river follows Route 110. through Lowell, Dracut and Methuen. Out takeout for this trip was the small launch just before the Dracut / Methuen line that I used as a put in for my<a href="http://kayakthemerrimack.blogspot.com/2010/08/merrimack-river-kayak-trip-dracut-ma-to.html"> trip to Lawrence</a> last year.</small><br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi0U4zBZMqISQIUrjYxz4JIDu7Wbu2iFLvTZK8a51jF2tRbCxJiG3rfk2xGgNHAnCQV3Gn3OQpV-hcgmxK0YTwpFG4UJjkQQa7xpglWbH7HhCrxjwRNlT_rYBkZm-ixmTAu_j7_91YHw-Qe/s1600/IMG_1701.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi0U4zBZMqISQIUrjYxz4JIDu7Wbu2iFLvTZK8a51jF2tRbCxJiG3rfk2xGgNHAnCQV3Gn3OQpV-hcgmxK0YTwpFG4UJjkQQa7xpglWbH7HhCrxjwRNlT_rYBkZm-ixmTAu_j7_91YHw-Qe/s400/IMG_1701.JPG" width="400" /></a></div><br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjOOrD5NNT5siNbehuhMvBTqLSvRxnUA_2Vg55kRJuVxD2d7afoBX2cgrScPUhLBE1HXaE2pkE3z05hAHD5i7JaKX6dNV4v7AJnowysReLJXOQTa7gSxgWn0nkso3oRiaBBLm38rhELOajw/s1600/IMG_1704.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjOOrD5NNT5siNbehuhMvBTqLSvRxnUA_2Vg55kRJuVxD2d7afoBX2cgrScPUhLBE1HXaE2pkE3z05hAHD5i7JaKX6dNV4v7AJnowysReLJXOQTa7gSxgWn0nkso3oRiaBBLm38rhELOajw/s400/IMG_1704.JPG" width="400" /></a></div><br />
<br />
<small>Total length of this trip was about 6.5 miles and it took us about three hours including a stop for lunch. Due to the fast current and abundance of rocks this is probably not a section of the Merrimack River that I would paddle alone. It was a great trip for a group paddle though. This trip completes my goal of paddling the entire length of the Merrimack through Massachusetts. Next year I will start tackling the New Hampshire sections.</small>Steve and Jenhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03180943724907201195noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6780747282924271238.post-46375300626983218142011-07-18T18:24:00.000-07:002018-07-01T11:23:02.426-07:00Paddle Float Self Rescue<div style="text-align: center;">
<iframe frameborder="0" marginheight="0" marginwidth="0" scrolling="no" src="//ws-na.amazon-adsystem.com/widgets/q?ServiceVersion=20070822&OneJS=1&Operation=GetAdHtml&MarketPlace=US&source=ac&ref=qf_sp_asin_til&ad_type=product_link&tracking_id=ourjoutoadogr-20&marketplace=amazon&region=US&placement=B00DVE34UK&asins=B00DVE34UK&linkId=9146a6e114c2c5eb939f06b501d2063a&show_border=true&link_opens_in_new_window=false&price_color=333333&title_color=0066c0&bg_color=ffffff" style="height: 240px; width: 120px;">
</iframe> <iframe frameborder="0" marginheight="0" marginwidth="0" scrolling="no" src="//ws-na.amazon-adsystem.com/widgets/q?ServiceVersion=20070822&OneJS=1&Operation=GetAdHtml&MarketPlace=US&source=ac&ref=qf_sp_asin_til&ad_type=product_link&tracking_id=ourjoutoadogr-20&marketplace=amazon&region=US&placement=B000GKBHAQ&asins=B000GKBHAQ&linkId=f2a06983281644eb02e96eba35b09f13&show_border=true&link_opens_in_new_window=false&price_color=333333&title_color=0066c0&bg_color=ffffff" style="height: 240px; width: 120px;">
</iframe>
</div>
One of my kayaking goals for this year is to get into the ocean with my kayak. I realize that kayaking in the ocean is much more dangerous than the local rivers that I am used to. A friend of mine who kayaks mostly in Boston Harbor has been trying to get me out there with him. I promised myself that before I put my kayak in the ocean I will learn some self rescue techniques. <br />
<br />
For Father's Day I asked my wife and daughter to get my the rescue kit linked to the right. It includes a bunch of gear that I have been wanting to pick up buy most importantly it has a bilge pump and paddle float.<br />
<br />
For the past couple weeks I have been watching YouTube videos of people performing paddle float self rescues. Some of them seem to have a easy time of it while others seemed to fail miserably. I fully expected to fail miserably on my first couple attempts bit it turned out not so bad.<br />
<br />
So this past Sunday I paddled out into a local lake to practice my paddle float self rescue. I was actually able to get back into my kayak pretty easily on my first try. I was on a fairly smooth lake and the water was warm so the conditions were fairly favorable. I am sure that it would not be so easy in the cold, windy ocean. It look me about 2 minutes to get back in on my first try. I was a bit faster on my second attempt. Most of the time was spent inflating the float and getting it secured in the deck rigging.<br />
<br />
Kayaking purists seem to frown on the paddle float rescue as not a useful skill for rough conditions. They claim the Eskimo roll is the only fool proof rescue technique. Until I learn to roll my paddle float will have to suffice. Rolling will be one of my goals for next season. <br />
<br />
I posted a quick video below of my first attempt at a paddle float rescue. I apologize for the shaky camera work. My wife had our crappy video camera zoomed all the way in and and was trying to watch our daughter while filming.<br />
<br />
<br />
<div style="text-align: center;">
<iframe allowfullscreen="" frameborder="0" height="390" src="https://www.youtube.com/embed/OnXOkB5I-vo?rel=0" width="480"></iframe></div>
Steve and Jenhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03180943724907201195noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6780747282924271238.post-41091874033275921212011-07-17T20:45:00.000-07:002011-07-28T19:34:48.514-07:00Lake Mascuppic Kayak Trip - Tyngsboro / Dracut<iframe frameborder="0" height="350" marginheight="0" marginwidth="0" scrolling="no" src="http://maps.google.com/maps/ms?msa=0&msid=201234329629539657521.0004a84ef618b368c5326&ie=UTF8&t=h&ll=42.678679,-71.384912&spn=0.00968,0.01432&output=embed" width="425"></iframe><br />
<small>View <a href="http://maps.google.com/maps/ms?msa=0&msid=201234329629539657521.0004a84ef618b368c5326&ie=UTF8&t=h&ll=42.678679,-71.384912&spn=0.00968,0.01432&source=embed" style="color: blue; text-align: left;">Lake Mascuppic</a> in a larger map</small><br />
<br />
<small>Hard to believe that today was my first kayak trip on a lake. I am so close to the Merrimack River that is usually my go to destination . But I decided to change things up a bit and try a little lake kayaking. I grew up across the street from Lake Mascuppic so it would only be appropriate for my first trip to be on this lake. I have lots of fond memories of swimming. fishing, ice skating and many other activities on Lake Mascuppic growing up. So I packed up the girls and we headed out early this morning for a little trip around the lake.</small><br />
<br />
<small>Lake Mascuppic is approximately 200 acres and has shoreline in the towns of Tyngsboro and Dracut Massachusetts, the majority being in Tyngsboro. There is a state boat ramp in Dracut at the intersection of Tyngsboro Rd and Willowdale Rd and there is a residents only town beach in Tyngsboro that used to have a boat ramp as well, not sure if that ramp is still in use. Most of the shoreline is developed with residences and a few businesses.</small><br />
<br />
<small>We put in just south of the intersection of Tyngsboro Rd and Mascuppic Trail. There is on-street parking here and a very short walk down a gentle slope to the water. We paddled our kayaks counter-clockwise around the lake trying to hug the shore to stay out of the way of the powerboat and jet-ski traffic. My wife was in the Vapor with my daughter for this trip so we paddled pretty slowly but were able to get around the lake in about an hour and twenty minutes. Total Distance of this trip was about 2.25 miles, although we could have made it longer had we hugged the shore a little closer. </small><small>Not a whole lot of wildlife on the lake, a few ducks here and there but that was about it. </small><br />
<br />
<small>We did see quite a few other kayakers out on the lake as well as many houses with kayaks in their back yards waiting for their next trip. I do have to say after completing this trip that I much prefer paddling on a river than a lake. Half way into our trip the wind started to pick up a but and on the lake there was nowhere to hide from it. Between the wind and the wakes from the power boats the chop was pretty brutal at times. My wife was having a bit of trouble keeping straight with the high profile of the Vapor. As we neared the last third of the trip the power boat and jet ski traffic seemed to increase a bit.making it a bit treacherous to be in a kayak. Having my wife and daughter out there with me had me a bit nervous with my head on a swivel to make sure none of them were coming at us. At one point there wasn't much more than than 20 yards between my wife and my kayak and a jet ski drove between us. He slowed a bit but it still was enough to make us decide to call it a day. A couple pics below of the girls.</small><br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhexvMCAaf7FGmzfiAszVaDpWDykKAnP422c0sFL_bOUXDI_N77_9YvvVMsLShX1iosOSCP9pGx0qvAssKR4vAA48lUw9h_d3rifo5AGszlxNoFZFC1Se2HU56pTDoZRBsxxcmXIx5epkdg/s1600/IMG_1655.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhexvMCAaf7FGmzfiAszVaDpWDykKAnP422c0sFL_bOUXDI_N77_9YvvVMsLShX1iosOSCP9pGx0qvAssKR4vAA48lUw9h_d3rifo5AGszlxNoFZFC1Se2HU56pTDoZRBsxxcmXIx5epkdg/s400/IMG_1655.JPG" width="400" /></a></div><br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiLnaNLg845ToiWhT6GncC1xJD0BxrfxTOPuTVjYbM6hIy8_L-KIPQO7sTRfGcvO6A0plPJnesh_h972pkkwMFobV8a0iHyaDaQKV5ghcY_Rld5Sr8MGD_3jC1a4jAVjtRSB8Hp6BeA903c/s1600/IMG_1656.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiLnaNLg845ToiWhT6GncC1xJD0BxrfxTOPuTVjYbM6hIy8_L-KIPQO7sTRfGcvO6A0plPJnesh_h972pkkwMFobV8a0iHyaDaQKV5ghcY_Rld5Sr8MGD_3jC1a4jAVjtRSB8Hp6BeA903c/s400/IMG_1656.JPG" width="400" /></a></div>Steve and Jenhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03180943724907201195noreply@blogger.com3tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6780747282924271238.post-30535463706045465242011-07-06T18:59:00.000-07:002011-07-07T16:39:38.016-07:00Merrimack River Kayak Trip - Manchester NH to Merrimack NH<iframe frameborder="0" height="350" marginheight="0" marginwidth="0" scrolling="no" src="http://maps.google.com/maps/ms?msa=0&msid=201234329629539657521.0004a71f6fa29cdc92254&ie=UTF8&ll=42.941337,-71.464139&spn=0.121165,0.02298&t=h&output=embed" width="425"></iframe><br />
<small>View <a href="http://maps.google.com/maps/ms?msa=0&msid=201234329629539657521.0004a71f6fa29cdc92254&ie=UTF8&ll=42.941337,-71.464139&spn=0.121165,0.02298&t=h&source=embed" style="color: blue; text-align: left;">Merrimack River - Manchester to Merrimack</a> in a larger map</small><br />
<br />
<small>Last Saturday I participated in another paddling trip with the <a href="http://www.merrimack.org/">Merrimack River Watershed Council</a>. I was really looking forward to this trip as it was a section of the river that I have not yet paddled and it offers a few sections of class II whitewater. Having little whitewater experience this was a great trip for me as it allowed me the opportunity to hit some pretty big rapids with some very experienced whitewater paddlers from the AMC.</small><br />
<br />
<small>I would highly recommend a spray skirt for this trip. There were some on the trip without one who ended up with quite a bit of water in their boats when running through the big rapids. My spray skirt isn't really watertight and I found myself needing to pump out a couple times. There were about 20 people on this trip in various types of boats, there were 2 canoes, a half dozen or so whitewater boats, a sit on top kayak and the rest were in recreational kayaks, some with spray skirts some without. Before starting our trip we were given some basic instruction on what to do in the event of a capsize and other basic class II whitewater techniques. We were told at least 2 of us would end up on the water on this trip, I thought surely it would be me but I managed to stay in my kayak. Unfortunately I didn't get many pictures of the first half of the trip as my camera was stowed safely in my drybag. Someone in our group did have a waterproof camera and got some pictures of the group hitting the last section of rapids so I will post them when I get them.</small><br />
<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgLNWLL9NmQtEEGDKxPeNBYQyQepFUbGxHmReL2kgGHSrW9h9t8l83wZlMYZtr8w_59gUwpLkAQYXv3B_njLeIs5jKyDO7mi1G3u34AqPzdJQtA3zEnwKvbMjt-x9B-dH0Oye50G2HF0dop/s1600/IMG_1617.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgLNWLL9NmQtEEGDKxPeNBYQyQepFUbGxHmReL2kgGHSrW9h9t8l83wZlMYZtr8w_59gUwpLkAQYXv3B_njLeIs5jKyDO7mi1G3u34AqPzdJQtA3zEnwKvbMjt-x9B-dH0Oye50G2HF0dop/s400/IMG_1617.JPG" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Put in at Amoskeag Fishways</td></tr>
</tbody></table><small>So we started the trip behind the the<a href="http://www.amoskeagfishways.org/"> Amoskeag Fishways Visitor Center</a> in Manchester, NH. The visitor center is located just off exit 6 on 293 and has a cool fish ladder with large windows for viewing the fish swimming by. This is also the site of Amoskeag falls and Amoskeag dam. Our put in was a short walk down a trail to the water. After shuttling the cars to the take out points we got underway. We first paddled past Amoskeag falls on the left which is the site of some Class IV rapids called "Facial Abrasion" which are only navigable in the spring. It isn't much more than rocks at this time of the year. Less than a mile into our paddle we encountered our first major set of rapids. This first set of rapids is located in front of Arms Park and is also know as crack pipe. Not sure exactly how it got that name but I have to say I was a bit intimidated coming up upon it. It is a pretty large drop followed by a series of large waves. After watching a couple others make it through unscathed I went for it. It was quite a rush, I kept my kayak straight and stayed upright. I was completely soaked, including a few inches of water in my kayak where my new bilge pump came in handy.</small><br />
<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiPGdfbYYImMNmomX0EOA9IT0_H3WH_p1j1ymAgfNCvZm-7otsYrcxh1u0WI02od09dMpt2JbOR4UshHKf5iKiv7dEWoIgWmcP7xWrkeuELtzX6DKakjWCk2uxr1z6lfm0kg1dTFaK2U-zs/s1600/crackpipe.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiPGdfbYYImMNmomX0EOA9IT0_H3WH_p1j1ymAgfNCvZm-7otsYrcxh1u0WI02od09dMpt2JbOR4UshHKf5iKiv7dEWoIgWmcP7xWrkeuELtzX6DKakjWCk2uxr1z6lfm0kg1dTFaK2U-zs/s400/crackpipe.jpg" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Crackpipe</td></tr>
</tbody></table><small>This section of the river is fairly industrial with mills on both sides of the river. Except for the random shopping cart the river was fairly trash free, I was told this section used to be a lot worse. After the first three miles the banks of the river become less industrial and more residential. There are various small islands along this stretch and the river banks become a bit more wooded. </small><small>A bit past the 4 mile point of the trip at the route 293 overpass are the second large set of rapids. There is a large rock island in the middle of the river at this point where we got out to scout the rapids and the trip leader advised us which line to take through the rapids. She also told us there was no shame if we wanted to portage around this section. I briefly considered it but decided that I didn't come out here to walk. I went into the rapids planning to take a conservative line but somehow got sucked over the large wave in the middle but I again made it though upright. I actually paddled back up and re-ran the bottom section of these rapids a second time. A woman in a kayak identical to mine capsized in this section but the leaders got her back in her boat fairly quickly.</small><br />
<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj5XZPkLna-xmaxL_r0RzrnXZEyi5U0oLGN0iuHRI1PxdgqOeTYHVutm05KNuqaz2w7gBSrudbh4NOTHoxnT6j_rPWBBFuyucY8duAGBaYJxAlI025dY1nZsc7hzTuljKOtjrBGY2L1HOiF/s1600/IMG_1619.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj5XZPkLna-xmaxL_r0RzrnXZEyi5U0oLGN0iuHRI1PxdgqOeTYHVutm05KNuqaz2w7gBSrudbh4NOTHoxnT6j_rPWBBFuyucY8duAGBaYJxAlI025dY1nZsc7hzTuljKOtjrBGY2L1HOiF/s400/IMG_1619.JPG" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Scouting the 293 rapids</td></tr>
</tbody></table><small>The final section of class II rapids we encountered is called Goff's falls. This was probably the lesser of the three rapids but had a bit longer section of rapids. I again made it through this section upright, a mother and son in a canoe weren't so lucky and ended up capsizing and floated quite a way downstream before being rescued. This was about the half way section of the trip where we stopped for lunch. About half of our group finished their trip here at the Moore's Crossing takeout in Bedford. The rest of us continued on for a few more miles. </small><br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgJY3WO1OPGtJoeS3VFwU9lzZnpZqqO0Q6J40pgbV9sy7ME0jUgiVufNsudNRyDrvroUUp-EuBKgoqvEbmMuxk3ahloPK3iDbUDio4Z3ROC0egptgF7qzrq1oZeqjtByAPb_T7zi-wmbld_/s1600/IMG_1623.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgJY3WO1OPGtJoeS3VFwU9lzZnpZqqO0Q6J40pgbV9sy7ME0jUgiVufNsudNRyDrvroUUp-EuBKgoqvEbmMuxk3ahloPK3iDbUDio4Z3ROC0egptgF7qzrq1oZeqjtByAPb_T7zi-wmbld_/s400/IMG_1623.JPG" width="400" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">Goffs Falls Rapids</div><br />
<small>The remainder of the trip was a bit more relaxing. A few class I rapids were encountered but the river is more remote and slow moving in this section. Apparently we passed a lock that survived from the old Middlesex Canal system but I somehow paddled right by without seeing it. We also passed the landing approach for Manchester Airport. Kind of cool seeing the large jets fly by right over your head. Our takeout was at the Depot Street Boat ramp in Merrimack. This is also the site of Reeds Ferry, named for Wilbur Reed who ran a ferry on this section of the Merrimack in the 1700s and 1800s. </small><br />
<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhrn6D3Vk-RpknkJ4lob8JRP26-AcpEzzZ7xO2lSK1AZ2DCtUJG9wIxdDtsNY8kQ76t2DtsIJwIADlZzjaMp3cYASpXUIalkkwRwopjTi-F3ZmImV9mQTYQTWLwWLbaaJVuWJ0Pigk8XqJ2/s1600/IMG_1635.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhrn6D3Vk-RpknkJ4lob8JRP26-AcpEzzZ7xO2lSK1AZ2DCtUJG9wIxdDtsNY8kQ76t2DtsIJwIADlZzjaMp3cYASpXUIalkkwRwopjTi-F3ZmImV9mQTYQTWLwWLbaaJVuWJ0Pigk8XqJ2/s400/IMG_1635.JPG" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Smaller set of rapids</td></tr>
</tbody></table><br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi8uqJV5A0JLe96oE-L6NHdo3lncNLhS4Eg4oSr8dFcdhLhogI1pjK1Bcdy5YwjbkdoE5Rucev7Omyz-qdW5RoSrtw9v-71esbQeaN0Jx2483HsMh1w2E1kIy71ekNITq3_l_69ON0SiqOi/s1600/IMG_1640.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi8uqJV5A0JLe96oE-L6NHdo3lncNLhS4Eg4oSr8dFcdhLhogI1pjK1Bcdy5YwjbkdoE5Rucev7Omyz-qdW5RoSrtw9v-71esbQeaN0Jx2483HsMh1w2E1kIy71ekNITq3_l_69ON0SiqOi/s400/IMG_1640.JPG" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Depot Street - Takeout in Merrimack NH</td></tr>
</tbody></table><br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgPrzUmWC3y4sJozwxO2B6wDEOjauGNhowViPBV8nNYVIr1ayI7G89cV3sB4W8JRfZco0Qr3VjMbeLZUkGklpkjELTn1JX8EK3q3k8wJDuLI7D4D3rjLKWYqBW-RX1RDhStalrPqDrPNsVN/s1600/IMG_1641.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgPrzUmWC3y4sJozwxO2B6wDEOjauGNhowViPBV8nNYVIr1ayI7G89cV3sB4W8JRfZco0Qr3VjMbeLZUkGklpkjELTn1JX8EK3q3k8wJDuLI7D4D3rjLKWYqBW-RX1RDhStalrPqDrPNsVN/s400/IMG_1641.JPG" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Ramp at Depot Street takeout</td></tr>
</tbody></table><small>I have paddled a bunch of new sections of local rivers this year but I have to say this was my favorite trip so far. The total distance of the trip was just over 10 miles. We paddled through the towns of Manchester, Bedford and Merrimack. Including a spot for lunch and trip took us about 5 hours. This is not a trip that should be paddled solo. I would love to run this section again but I wouldn't dare without the company of some experienced whitewater paddlers. Also a spray skirt and bilge pump are absolute musts. Overall a great way to start the holiday weekend.</small>Steve and Jenhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03180943724907201195noreply@blogger.com9tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6780747282924271238.post-59628580437431594232011-06-07T18:03:00.000-07:002011-08-23T20:16:37.532-07:00Ipswich River - Topsfield to Ipswich<iframe frameborder="0" height="350" marginheight="0" marginwidth="0" scrolling="no" src="http://maps.google.com/maps/ms?ie=UTF8&hl=en&msa=0&msid=201234329629539657521.0004a5031292206e3ccd7&t=h&ll=42.641598,-70.921972&spn=0.037578,0.055295&output=embed" width="425"></iframe><br />
<small>View <a href="http://maps.google.com/maps/ms?ie=UTF8&hl=en&msa=0&msid=201234329629539657521.0004a5031292206e3ccd7&t=h&ll=42.641598,-70.921972&spn=0.037578,0.055295&source=embed" style="color: blue; text-align: left;">Ipswich River</a> in a larger map</small><br />
<br />
<small>I had a really nice paddle this past weekend on the Ipswich River. We started our day arriving at 8am at <a href="http://www.ipswichma.com/footbrothers/index.asp">Foote Brothers Canoe</a> in Ipswirch MA. Foote Brothers has a shuttle service where for $10 they will shuttle you and your kayak about 9 miles upstream to Salem Road in Topsfield. Our kayaks were secured to the trailer and we took a short drive to Topsfield and were in the water by 8:30.</small><br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgLIPU4-j_dZuGcKTv_sL_tkCVwRxohHicVlk_Y-RiKlkWuW0tkJSRoM7o-BIRd26sylR9rKfmxEYP4jqgcw-XyCMWTreCjCd0Yl6A8Xmv-R5CT_0d3wQcuFZRJwY-WdmJOUNmnmzIxs9Y_/s1600/IMG_1596.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgLIPU4-j_dZuGcKTv_sL_tkCVwRxohHicVlk_Y-RiKlkWuW0tkJSRoM7o-BIRd26sylR9rKfmxEYP4jqgcw-XyCMWTreCjCd0Yl6A8Xmv-R5CT_0d3wQcuFZRJwY-WdmJOUNmnmzIxs9Y_/s400/IMG_1596.JPG" width="400" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">Salem Road - Put In</div><br />
<small>The put in on Salem Road is pretty good. There is a gentle slope down to the water and plenty of room to pull of to the side of the road. Not sure if parking is allowed there but is was as good a place as any for us to launch. The first mile of the trip takes you through a fairly wooded area with the Topsfield Fairgrounds on your left side. You will pass under bridges for Route 1 and Route 97. A bit after the 1 mile point the Salem Beverly Waterway Canal forks off to the right. Apparently this canal was built in 1917 to provide water to Beverly and Salem Massachusetts. Stay left at the fork to continue into the Ipswich Wildlife Sanctuary.</small><br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgCXeRgOZFiOgQLylMSBHfKnHbinzb-w-syH2Ym4hICUv2D4ygpvD1vp815VEySwe_rJF07S3unMnIkMDG-_JNhmC1euDmpVFnBRUYuPGhyphenhyphenHr0x5MEfLAZvJoBOG5jF0HQ3mAu2cmtUehHK/s1600/IMG_1599.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgCXeRgOZFiOgQLylMSBHfKnHbinzb-w-syH2Ym4hICUv2D4ygpvD1vp815VEySwe_rJF07S3unMnIkMDG-_JNhmC1euDmpVFnBRUYuPGhyphenhyphenHr0x5MEfLAZvJoBOG5jF0HQ3mAu2cmtUehHK/s320/IMG_1599.JPG" width="320" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">Beaver Dam</div><br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjv8evQsTws7IxgJ96UROfNbYyWAeOjHtUwhB9uAglccL0IHB0FlFHiYlCKMfyEcyCVCIkP1XAUofUxvjOAThYC_RJid73NEDuOMt-nix8sdjgdbsj2oxz5HM19tJ5HMo_P2giJ5ur_tQN_/s1600/IMG_1602.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjv8evQsTws7IxgJ96UROfNbYyWAeOjHtUwhB9uAglccL0IHB0FlFHiYlCKMfyEcyCVCIkP1XAUofUxvjOAThYC_RJid73NEDuOMt-nix8sdjgdbsj2oxz5HM19tJ5HMo_P2giJ5ur_tQN_/s320/IMG_1602.JPG" width="320" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">Canadian Geese and goslings</div><br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhwThk_Y_JJp3cdJoolDhDSmSNdxKaI7UdVgEhNLtMYGZfD71tkmLQD4bMUO8559IMIHZcRrGeZ1kHUMPoNySzRTtQqUvgopc8Z4ZpA9wYyFqtwl3xHkO1H61LUAmuA-3_Npyu_CIQUn4XW/s1600/IMG_1606.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhwThk_Y_JJp3cdJoolDhDSmSNdxKaI7UdVgEhNLtMYGZfD71tkmLQD4bMUO8559IMIHZcRrGeZ1kHUMPoNySzRTtQqUvgopc8Z4ZpA9wYyFqtwl3xHkO1H61LUAmuA-3_Npyu_CIQUn4XW/s320/IMG_1606.JPG" width="320" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">Great Egret</div><br />
<small>The Wildlife Sanctuary is by far some of the nicest area that I have paddles. In the first 3 miles of our paddle we saw at least half-dozen Canadian Geese with goslings, Three or Four beaver lodges and well as a beaver. We also saw a large black snake and Numerous turtles. The birds were plentiful as well, we saw many Great Blue Heron and Egret and many other untold number of bird species. The paddle through the Wildlife Sanctuary lasts for another 4 miles where you enter what looked like some farmland and/or privately owned land. This section lasts for another 3 miles until you enter the final leg of the paddle through the Bradley Palmer State Park and Willowdale State forest. The last few miles of the paddle takes you back to Foote Brothers Canoe.</small><br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiCccnxUvLToIroCjOgJFaFuO-MF3WdHHCX7w_pTBT1Ax_ET6gThfurkmQNulItwC5aY3p66nNt7hDiOi-nTZc1FhptYvBPXNpDPZuDW5j1diXlgC2nolwe-UdbJHT3r14avXDlvbnIICMB/s1600/IMG_1598.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiCccnxUvLToIroCjOgJFaFuO-MF3WdHHCX7w_pTBT1Ax_ET6gThfurkmQNulItwC5aY3p66nNt7hDiOi-nTZc1FhptYvBPXNpDPZuDW5j1diXlgC2nolwe-UdbJHT3r14avXDlvbnIICMB/s400/IMG_1598.JPG" width="400" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">Ipswich Wildlife Sanctuary</div><br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjpLIuVZbWx_JnA4kY7FVfoLLAAMdXoCkyTCxwmrrTJduWl6CNpWB7fWbb-8MUMmX1lPMYFWRCKWErt-k1eR7h3qBX75zjdLfok9HwqrXtO85Rn6odqQ6EYJ5gjvuUBuGrgrL3KdrUL27-T/s1600/IMG_1608.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjpLIuVZbWx_JnA4kY7FVfoLLAAMdXoCkyTCxwmrrTJduWl6CNpWB7fWbb-8MUMmX1lPMYFWRCKWErt-k1eR7h3qBX75zjdLfok9HwqrXtO85Rn6odqQ6EYJ5gjvuUBuGrgrL3KdrUL27-T/s400/IMG_1608.JPG" width="400" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">Bradley Palmer State Park</div><br />
<small>Total length of this trip is about 9 miles. The guys at foot brothers told us it would take about 4 hours to complete the trip, but it took us three hours. There was a pretty good current pushing us along so that helped a bit. We were our pretty early so we didn't see too many fellow paddlers until the last third of our trip. From what I hear this is a very popular river for canoeing and kayaking but it was fairly quiet this past weekend. As an additional aid for boaters there are markers along the river to help chart your progress. The markers start with a letter representing the town you are in and a number to chart progress. These numbers so not represent mile. The marker we started at around T77 and we ended at I0.</small><br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjhrrR9fVTHOKQJ-uRTYpZGhNRpPkoE7A0zNLHaTVNFtMZLw50-dFhOV8FnFMx7ecYxyvDo0QAztVkFOVN5p38pkg_pDClr3p3h1hYvIXON-2mBw_yNk2DmsnNIPYHe_fxGanrVOFUCfhlw/s1600/IMG_1593.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjhrrR9fVTHOKQJ-uRTYpZGhNRpPkoE7A0zNLHaTVNFtMZLw50-dFhOV8FnFMx7ecYxyvDo0QAztVkFOVN5p38pkg_pDClr3p3h1hYvIXON-2mBw_yNk2DmsnNIPYHe_fxGanrVOFUCfhlw/s400/IMG_1593.JPG" width="400" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">Willowdale Dam</div><br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgtpouYYtFQZ_M-82UOqDyCO4L-YYxYrb0mn6Q5-53Hoyt774rGb-mamsq56P6u1kiUm8kgvpsw4ntPNiVKDWFIKh9FhiWEWTcP_EI_xVIS5bQnQSixRAaa2t9rvHgYPNJ54O2onHDYT12v/s1600/IMG_1594.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgtpouYYtFQZ_M-82UOqDyCO4L-YYxYrb0mn6Q5-53Hoyt774rGb-mamsq56P6u1kiUm8kgvpsw4ntPNiVKDWFIKh9FhiWEWTcP_EI_xVIS5bQnQSixRAaa2t9rvHgYPNJ54O2onHDYT12v/s400/IMG_1594.JPG" width="300" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">Take Out at Foote Brothers Canoe</div><br />
<br />
<small>After finishing my paddle I wanted to catch the shuttle and take another run immediately, it was that nice of a paddle. It helped that it was a beautiful day but this is a river that I will definitely be visiting again and again.</small>Steve and Jenhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03180943724907201195noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6780747282924271238.post-82677956431726216192011-05-31T19:57:00.000-07:002011-08-23T20:17:10.518-07:00Nashua River - Pepperell / Groton MA<iframe frameborder="0" height="350" marginheight="0" marginwidth="0" scrolling="no" src="http://maps.google.com/maps/ms?ie=UTF8&hl=en&msa=0&t=h&msid=201234329629539657521.0004a4804a061db72f8b5&ll=42.640147,-71.586914&spn=0.022099,0.036478&z=14&output=embed" width="425"></iframe><br />
<small>View <a href="http://maps.google.com/maps/ms?ie=UTF8&hl=en&msa=0&t=h&msid=201234329629539657521.0004a4804a061db72f8b5&ll=42.640147,-71.586914&spn=0.022099,0.036478&z=14&source=embed" style="color: blue; text-align: left;">Nashua River - Pepperell MA</a> in a larger map</small><br />
<br />
<small>I participated in another one of the Merrimack River Watershed Council's paddling trips this past weekend. This trip was my first time on the Nashua River. I made myself a goal over the winter to paddle some new rivers this season and this was my third new river this year. </small><br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjN13G9qgsb0TUdcGOmCDktMIlH8ITHLi20RLl9K7b7tvAVug4wD3x4rUVdMnF_7B-1wN8s0QzuQW3QIl903W1XFokWyeyqGAk0GREiGY_0VKgSgssvBDxKy97xkv0n2iJbHfXcCZ7NDlt0/s1600/IMG_1580.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjN13G9qgsb0TUdcGOmCDktMIlH8ITHLi20RLl9K7b7tvAVug4wD3x4rUVdMnF_7B-1wN8s0QzuQW3QIl903W1XFokWyeyqGAk0GREiGY_0VKgSgssvBDxKy97xkv0n2iJbHfXcCZ7NDlt0/s400/IMG_1580.JPG" width="400" /></a></div><br />
<small>The section of the river that we paddled is called Pepperell Pond. There is a dam further upstream which backs the river up into a large pond-like area with lots of islands and little culverts to explore. Lots of wildlife to see on the Nashua river and we were lucky to have a couple members of the Brookline Bird Club on our trip to point out all of the different species.</small><br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiw-ZHDp1lmsqpMqK53Tcv0cYuWScPmk8OorppBN81_u43WlNmYAxsje6Dex99SbpmoPdCJGJYNWil6Qaj6B5Tmaeb9KqeWjDnBSuTYE1ZhlgaJDViSuIqWwylXkNa_rQryLGATkjWTE1C9/s1600/IMG_1577.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiw-ZHDp1lmsqpMqK53Tcv0cYuWScPmk8OorppBN81_u43WlNmYAxsje6Dex99SbpmoPdCJGJYNWil6Qaj6B5Tmaeb9KqeWjDnBSuTYE1ZhlgaJDViSuIqWwylXkNa_rQryLGATkjWTE1C9/s400/IMG_1577.JPG" width="400" /></a></div><br />
<small>Our put in was at 120 River road in Pepperell MA. A bit of a steep walk down to the water but everyone stayed dry so no issues there. We started our paddle upstream but there was no discernible current in this section of the river. I am used to paddling more narrow rivers with a stronger current so it was nice to paddle on a larger body of water for a change. Unfortunately we were reminded immediately of one of the drawbacks of paddling on large open areas; wind. We paddled into a pretty stiff breeze for the first half mile or so, eventually it did die down a bit as we entered more sheltered sections of the river.</small><br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh1YYL0EZ19Kt3WrSeRj87weU_XCJ0O9XJ2UTspE3R4TJV0dyFoHDAVWwGyRp63apJKUGfs3HKwOAcDXTH9Udh_zqVF12akquXDNz_Kn3gLprodGECfKgAirBcWRqkFHwqtvahpZhmdOqYZ/s1600/IMG_1579.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh1YYL0EZ19Kt3WrSeRj87weU_XCJ0O9XJ2UTspE3R4TJV0dyFoHDAVWwGyRp63apJKUGfs3HKwOAcDXTH9Udh_zqVF12akquXDNz_Kn3gLprodGECfKgAirBcWRqkFHwqtvahpZhmdOqYZ/s400/IMG_1579.JPG" width="400" /></a></div><br />
<small>I think we paddles at least two miles stopping here and there to check out the wildlife. We found a nice spot to stop for lunch at our turnaround point. I believe we were in the J. Harry Rich State Forest. There was a nice network of trails running along the river, a perfect spot for a break.</small><br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhRzxZq6dpv7LWh7Jw2Sl9gzVsm0D_r7VvGS13HNc6Q_B5lfm2uNWaKg_gB6Yr3YA9Wnx-tQNiHrJQP1qvNTDikWDcw-jDi18eCp27C2sNZ5mDrcoVqczP9HsLCX2LWL8baXPsb04TV3Fsy/s1600/IMG_1586.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhRzxZq6dpv7LWh7Jw2Sl9gzVsm0D_r7VvGS13HNc6Q_B5lfm2uNWaKg_gB6Yr3YA9Wnx-tQNiHrJQP1qvNTDikWDcw-jDi18eCp27C2sNZ5mDrcoVqczP9HsLCX2LWL8baXPsb04TV3Fsy/s400/IMG_1586.JPG" width="400" /></a></div><br />
<small>After lunch we meandered back pretty much the same way we came. One interesting note we must have seen at least 3 pairs of swans during our trip. I was able to get close enough to snap a pic of the below nesting pair. The Nashua River also appears to a fairly popular river for boating, we saw quite a bit of others in powerboats, canoes and kayaks. There was even saw a group in an inflatable raft.</small><br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg4dC9AD-0RcZ-6PQ-4y27aoXzW2tNlXtshMPghfG7Vf5mUjEu34R8qSq8JCVK-7PQV_1DB5xIoQtiIVX_9sG8tGWGjn_5FgOUqB5tk_btU5RErIZ7L0VbJhzBFBYhP1sJJDc1xn7vds-zJ/s1600/IMG_1589.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg4dC9AD-0RcZ-6PQ-4y27aoXzW2tNlXtshMPghfG7Vf5mUjEu34R8qSq8JCVK-7PQV_1DB5xIoQtiIVX_9sG8tGWGjn_5FgOUqB5tk_btU5RErIZ7L0VbJhzBFBYhP1sJJDc1xn7vds-zJ/s400/IMG_1589.JPG" width="400" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br />
</div><small>Our total trip was approximately 5 miles and we were out on the water for about 3 hours. The MRWC is running a bunch more trips on the Nashua River throughout the season so I am hoping to explore more of the river as the season progresses.</small>Steve and Jenhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03180943724907201195noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6780747282924271238.post-28536111252373959532011-05-22T18:15:00.000-07:002011-08-23T20:17:33.086-07:00Squannacook River - West Groton MA<iframe frameborder="0" height="350" marginheight="0" marginwidth="0" scrolling="no" src="http://maps.google.com/maps/ms?ie=UTF8&hl=en&msa=0&msid=201234329629539657521.0004a3e5cfcd09dcab9aa&t=h&ll=42.622998,-71.647082&spn=0.022105,0.036478&z=14&output=embed" width="425"></iframe><br />
<small>View <a href="http://maps.google.com/maps/ms?ie=UTF8&hl=en&msa=0&msid=201234329629539657521.0004a3e5cfcd09dcab9aa&t=h&ll=42.622998,-71.647082&spn=0.022105,0.036478&z=14&source=embed" style="color: blue; text-align: left;">Squannacook River - West Groton</a> in a larger map</small><br />
<br />
<small>I had an opportunity to explore a short section of the Squannacook River this weekend. This section of the river is very remote and removed from civilization, the only sounds you hear while paddling are the birds chirping.</small><br />
<br />
<small>The Squannacook River is a tributary of the Nashua River that winds approximately 16 miles through the towns of Townsend, Shirley, Groton and Ayer. There are 5 dams on the river--3 in Townsend and 2 in West Groton. Our put in was just above one of the dams at the West Groton Water Supply District Building at 305 Townsend Rd, West Groton MA. This is a very convenient put in with lots of parking and a short walk to the water.</small><br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjr6MKIx8b-yQahFXAxOUzAkyzFOPDqP3v7J6S0b9OcRNsEfyR9B-Kch7oUUVX0M8knh90E3ZNjAgaz6eXcUdWBmJf0T2rNiUPnys0rf11JGBjgUfBv_i84hX5Rh4683wPFXrkq23A7RWVf/s1600/IMG_1562.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjr6MKIx8b-yQahFXAxOUzAkyzFOPDqP3v7J6S0b9OcRNsEfyR9B-Kch7oUUVX0M8knh90E3ZNjAgaz6eXcUdWBmJf0T2rNiUPnys0rf11JGBjgUfBv_i84hX5Rh4683wPFXrkq23A7RWVf/s400/IMG_1562.JPG" width="400" /></a></div><br />
<br />
<small>This section above the dam is called the Squannacook River reservoir and is a fairly large pond like section of the river. There is a large manufacturing facility across the reservoir but it disappeared quickly as we made our way upstream. As you paddle through the reservoir the river narrows down to about 30 feet wide in most sections. Most of this area is conservation land so there is nothing along the banks of the river through most of this section.</small><br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi5hL4xNaLFNLzu01Wm5ma2HqmLgQEE5dixpE7vTpLaD6TK6syVpbFF7tm_phL5w7PQgyitrr67E18twd4GFGBJ5hvK6aalpWtGyTdqQ116TbmAZ94gRQV3CJs31T3oguw2MEjF8rK-wy2k/s1600/IMG_1576.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi5hL4xNaLFNLzu01Wm5ma2HqmLgQEE5dixpE7vTpLaD6TK6syVpbFF7tm_phL5w7PQgyitrr67E18twd4GFGBJ5hvK6aalpWtGyTdqQ116TbmAZ94gRQV3CJs31T3oguw2MEjF8rK-wy2k/s400/IMG_1576.JPG" width="400" /></a></div><br />
<br />
<small>I was struck by the quiet while paddling and pleasantly surprised bu the cleanliness and lack of trash that I usually see along the rivers I normally paddle. Either there is a group that works really hard to keep the river clean or it is sees few people that litter doesn't get deposited. </small><br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg_uU5r5p5_Q3aazRNj8U-dP9UB4ewy3A_JzOEMhidndN8QR5Wi9nM1e-mAFd4sBzqYIWgZlP0GBNpfGjFKbV2UueD-Y63LU3HAFhyphenhyphenOhdQN6Avo31H1WBMhOljaqTBoo0X9y4tNlU7wfRL_/s1600/IMG_1570.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg_uU5r5p5_Q3aazRNj8U-dP9UB4ewy3A_JzOEMhidndN8QR5Wi9nM1e-mAFd4sBzqYIWgZlP0GBNpfGjFKbV2UueD-Y63LU3HAFhyphenhyphenOhdQN6Avo31H1WBMhOljaqTBoo0X9y4tNlU7wfRL_/s400/IMG_1570.JPG" width="400" /></a></div><br />
<br />
<small>There were quite a few downed trees along the river, most were fairly easy to navigate around. We did encounter one tree ahout halfway through our paddle that we needed to portage around which was a bit hairy as the banks are fairly high and steep. Luckily we make it through fairly dry.</small><br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjfO1KYtfnyfoN27QGvzEOlALipbk_-4lEPr7yE6ceEqhAM3Gkl8eE2aRDWCWB_t57bTY5UXOWXtGRHHIPv6GQrR8XMuubCCrn3JXQ72B4BGpHTf8Nkli3Z0BlECJ2-uZ4eR_vctoVP8wcn/s1600/IMG_1572.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjfO1KYtfnyfoN27QGvzEOlALipbk_-4lEPr7yE6ceEqhAM3Gkl8eE2aRDWCWB_t57bTY5UXOWXtGRHHIPv6GQrR8XMuubCCrn3JXQ72B4BGpHTf8Nkli3Z0BlECJ2-uZ4eR_vctoVP8wcn/s400/IMG_1572.JPG" width="400" /></a></div><br />
<br />
<small>There was a good bit of rain last week so there was a pretty brisk current that made our upstream paddle a bit strenuous. It is still a bit early in the season as well so I am sure that normally the current isn't that strong. We paddled upstream for a total of about two and a half miles where we encountered a nice section of rapids which was our turn around point.</small><br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhLYAsFLPD_ZuqNc3bWPYBbLvMCFnHP3EVSdb97E2Xer4sDWs3BigIBbcPzNSCvmCprC97s-sABs9xLNVkFsuWki9fRG9F4rK55a__sWgy4OWxg01MaI5G0Rc7Mj5bgccbnviTQYurxkztF/s1600/IMG_1565.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhLYAsFLPD_ZuqNc3bWPYBbLvMCFnHP3EVSdb97E2Xer4sDWs3BigIBbcPzNSCvmCprC97s-sABs9xLNVkFsuWki9fRG9F4rK55a__sWgy4OWxg01MaI5G0Rc7Mj5bgccbnviTQYurxkztF/s400/IMG_1565.JPG" width="400" /></a></div><br />
<br />
<small>For a minute I considered dragging my kayak upstream a bit and running through this section but as I got a closer look I decided it was probably not a good idea as I really didn't want to get wet. I am told that this section was just a trickle a couple weeks ago but it was pretty impressive on this day. There are apparently a few more similar sections of rapids further upstream.</small><br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhtsBiYyV-BpWCUw_3OfZUjX35P4aydAvHAsd0SJOObzxQp3dOBzEpY4RQP0zZMwmZ5EtTUlH8hLNwLvkU3n9dOiQdrJ5BM_8eIUXxi2yXbSZNGfDrYRFy8IjH_L1SBxebkdv5fQb_0aTg-/s1600/IMG_1568.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhtsBiYyV-BpWCUw_3OfZUjX35P4aydAvHAsd0SJOObzxQp3dOBzEpY4RQP0zZMwmZ5EtTUlH8hLNwLvkU3n9dOiQdrJ5BM_8eIUXxi2yXbSZNGfDrYRFy8IjH_L1SBxebkdv5fQb_0aTg-/s400/IMG_1568.JPG" width="400" /></a></div><br />
<br />
<small>We encountered plenty of wildlife along the river including turtles, Great Blue Heron, Red Winged Blackbirds and beaver. We also passed a couple fly fishermen, one of whom pulled out a small trout as we passed. We also saw another group of kayakers at the take out who I assume took a shorter version of the trip that we did. </small><br />
<br />
<small>The total distance of this trip was approximately 5 miles and took us about three hours upstream and back. One important note, if you plan to paddle this river bring plenty of bug spray. We didn't notice the mosquitoes while we were paddling but once we stopped to check out the rapids we were swarmed. Over all a really nice river that I hope to explore more of very soon.</small>Steve and Jenhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03180943724907201195noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6780747282924271238.post-62772237677349622262011-05-17T18:05:00.000-07:002018-07-01T11:29:34.953-07:00Kayaking with a 3 year old<div style="text-align: center;">
<iframe frameborder="0" marginheight="0" marginwidth="0" scrolling="no" src="//ws-na.amazon-adsystem.com/widgets/q?ServiceVersion=20070822&OneJS=1&Operation=GetAdHtml&MarketPlace=US&source=ac&ref=qf_sp_asin_til&ad_type=product_link&tracking_id=ourjoutoadogr-20&marketplace=amazon&region=US&placement=B071VVGDNW&asins=B071VVGDNW&linkId=468e27cccaf5913b4f9009fff530a635&show_border=true&link_opens_in_new_window=false&price_color=333333&title_color=0066c0&bg_color=ffffff" style="height: 240px; width: 120px;">
</iframe> <iframe frameborder="0" marginheight="0" marginwidth="0" scrolling="no" src="//ws-na.amazon-adsystem.com/widgets/q?ServiceVersion=20070822&OneJS=1&Operation=GetAdHtml&MarketPlace=US&source=ac&ref=qf_sp_asin_til&ad_type=product_link&tracking_id=ourjoutoadogr-20&marketplace=amazon&region=US&placement=B00AMKJ8HE&asins=B00AMKJ8HE&linkId=6199a549cce7246c9ab32146c155efd3&show_border=true&link_opens_in_new_window=false&price_color=333333&title_color=0066c0&bg_color=ffffff" style="height: 240px; width: 120px;">
</iframe></div>
<br />
When I started kayaking last year the only thing that was bothering me about my time on the water is that I was spending time away from my family on the weekends.
<br />
<div style="text-align: left;">
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: left;">
My wife and I started discussing how we could get her and my 3 year old daughter out there with me we considered briefly a tandem kayak and also a canoe but when I was able to pick up my Vapor 10xt for cheap that was the perfect solution. I can paddle the Vapor with my daughter and my wife can use the Necky.</div>
<div style="text-align: left;">
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: left;">
The Vapor XT has a huge cockpit so my daughter can sit in front of me with plenty of room so I don't have to worry about hitting her in the head with the paddle.</div>
<div style="text-align: left;">
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: left;">
My biggest concern regarding kayaking with her was safety. We got her an age appropriate PFD from LL Bean. It has a grab loop at the back just in she falls in the water and a crotch strap so it isn't going anywhere. I also picked up a bungee cord with carbiners at both ends so I can attach her pfd to mine in the event that we do capsize she won't get too far.</div>
<div style="text-align: left;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhL7c7ZkKJWdYi4-1dQAs58nuBkCT_JUuNWqqcNk3AArqpmDka9ASrEn0Ts3jYIcZQGPE22n4yswu1CGdIgI5B8LBBnkL7bkiYwNyen4JGjKO6ZPB9BIuUzkbTYJxJ9UFb9LLJVlxUFuxF2/s1600/IMG_1547.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhL7c7ZkKJWdYi4-1dQAs58nuBkCT_JUuNWqqcNk3AArqpmDka9ASrEn0Ts3jYIcZQGPE22n4yswu1CGdIgI5B8LBBnkL7bkiYwNyen4JGjKO6ZPB9BIuUzkbTYJxJ9UFb9LLJVlxUFuxF2/s400/IMG_1547.JPG" width="400" /></a></div>
<div style="text-align: left;">
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: left;">
I also found a nice little padded kayak seat to make her ride a little more comfortable and to keep her off the wet floor of the kayak. With all of our new gear we set off for the Spicket River this weekend for our first paddling trip.</div>
<div style="text-align: left;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiDOtbLY8mP-DgaI0FonOHXt18JuRjLMtWQ6hxnyoWejui6P6lCUopRcWLDJKIuH67lH-vv3RxQcpIkEX2MDOZ1wkvL1P9VRy8mF3jchcwQ9SvZPMA2DM0vKTqMniO3em0SxXj5jHrtcIpn/s1600/IMG_1557.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="241" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiDOtbLY8mP-DgaI0FonOHXt18JuRjLMtWQ6hxnyoWejui6P6lCUopRcWLDJKIuH67lH-vv3RxQcpIkEX2MDOZ1wkvL1P9VRy8mF3jchcwQ9SvZPMA2DM0vKTqMniO3em0SxXj5jHrtcIpn/s400/IMG_1557.JPG" width="400" /></a></div>
<div style="text-align: left;">
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: left;">
I wanted to keep our first trip under two hours and keep in interesting for her so we paddled through the wildlife sanctuary where we would surely see plenty of birds and other critters. Knowing your child's attention span is fairly important as you don't want to have to hear a child whine the whole way back to take-out. Luckily my daughter is fairly easy going for a 3 year old so I knew a couple hour trip would not be a problem as long as we had plenty of snacks and water.</div>
<div style="text-align: left;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhoyqcOChqX1nGXthO_bvOVF3L3RmHRvHW79HbO4IGFhEIrlbxWj9K1JY8ECaxG5xzGDqEtiu5cTV7FBLbjeHiFlJ-YIAnP3EB_2_v0e9Ch_nzvJp9C7rm5XxOnAZ8saocvcLN304qPyUiw/s1600/IMG_1554.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhoyqcOChqX1nGXthO_bvOVF3L3RmHRvHW79HbO4IGFhEIrlbxWj9K1JY8ECaxG5xzGDqEtiu5cTV7FBLbjeHiFlJ-YIAnP3EB_2_v0e9Ch_nzvJp9C7rm5XxOnAZ8saocvcLN304qPyUiw/s400/IMG_1554.JPG" width="400" /></a></div>
<div style="text-align: left;">
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: left;">
I am glad to say our first outing went flawlessly, it was a little cool and overcast but we saw plenty of nesting Great Blue Herons, Canadian Geese, Mallard Ducks, Red Winged Blackbirds and an otter or muskrat, not sure exactly what it was.</div>
<div style="text-align: left;">
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: left;">
We are really looking forward to taking some longer trips later in the season when it gets warmer so we can pack a lunch and have a nice family picnic.</div>
Steve and Jenhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03180943724907201195noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6780747282924271238.post-41950683935758440102011-05-08T14:38:00.000-07:002011-08-23T20:18:02.834-07:00Shawsheen River Kayak Trip - Tewksbury to Andover<a href="http://www.blogger.com/%3Ciframe%20width=%22425%22%20height=%22350%22%20frameborder=%220%22%20scrolling=%22no%22%20marginheight=%220%22%20marginwidth=%220%22%20src=%22http://maps.google.com/maps/ms?ie=UTF8&hl=en&msa=0&msid=201234329629539657521.0004a2b454c41fb337606&ll=42.607271,-71.178485&spn=0.039411,0.041754&t=h&output=embed"></iframe><br /><small>View <a href="http://maps.google.com/maps/ms?ie=UTF8&hl=en&msa=0&msid=201234329629539657521.0004a2b454c41fb337606&ll=42.607271,-71.178485&spn=0.039411,0.041754&t=h&source=embed" style="color:#0000FF;text-align:left">Shawsheen River - Tewksbury to Andover</a> in a larger map</small>"><iframe frameborder="0" height="350" marginheight="0" marginwidth="0" scrolling="no" src="http://maps.google.com/maps/ms?ie=UTF8&hl=en&msa=0&msid=201234329629539657521.0004a2b454c41fb337606&ll=42.607271,-71.178485&spn=0.039411,0.041754&t=h&output=embed" width="425"></iframe><br />
<small>View </small></a><small><a href="http://maps.google.com/maps/ms?ie=UTF8&hl=en&msa=0&msid=201234329629539657521.0004a2b454c41fb337606&ll=42.607271,-71.178485&spn=0.039411,0.041754&t=h&source=embed" style="color: blue; text-align: left;">Shawsheen River - Tewksbury to Andover</a> in a larger map</small><br />
I took my first official kayak trip this weekend on the Shawsheen River. The trip was sponsored by the Merrimack River Watershed Council and the Shawsheen River Watershed Association. There were about a dozen boaters on the trip, a few in canoes, the rest in kayaks. I have been wanting to get on the Shawsheen river so when I saw the MRWC was running this trip I had to jump on it.<br />
<br />
This was a one way trip downstream for a total distance of about 6 miles. Our put in was on Main Street in Tewksbury (behind the Knights of Columbus) and our take out was at the Ballardvale Mill pond in Andover. The trip took a little over two hours to complete. These trips put on by the MRWC are great as they organize shuttles from put in to take out so you don't need to paddle back upstream or need someone you pick you up.<br />
<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEihWbQK-5qNn1n5ACnrYybOd27UOUcgiho1V2hyphenhyphenppSqUgj92ynh-iz_Kwq_m-Wd-tSvRCVpNhEGjtmuWFPPb3igJk1OM39hUBhnY3MrucTAfsFgQrxnEA8C518I-VsQVrciRj3N_3n94u6U/s1600/IMG_1526.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEihWbQK-5qNn1n5ACnrYybOd27UOUcgiho1V2hyphenhyphenppSqUgj92ynh-iz_Kwq_m-Wd-tSvRCVpNhEGjtmuWFPPb3igJk1OM39hUBhnY3MrucTAfsFgQrxnEA8C518I-VsQVrciRj3N_3n94u6U/s400/IMG_1526.JPG" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Put In - Main Street Tewksbury</td></tr>
</tbody></table><br />
<br />
The were thundershowers in the forecast for the day of our trip but they held off long enough to give us a picture perfect morning. Shawsheen is a narrow river with a fairly strong current, not sure I would want to paddle upstream with the water levels where they are right now. As the crow flies the distance between put in and take out is only about 3 and a half miles but the river twists and turns through meadows and woods extending the trip out to about 6 miles.<br />
<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjmHFUXEElvNkwck1Pa6KcE37IjsW5EpLtRJ18CnbYX1sdRDo5cjEgWpljNrhzkaFwCk2bwWKLWHA4Rl15jU8AlR-xeIqi577aGYSh5v5qKwr25JZN0tYT0bVq7hCsvOsMRQ-WXxgX8sUdj/s1600/IMG_1532.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjmHFUXEElvNkwck1Pa6KcE37IjsW5EpLtRJ18CnbYX1sdRDo5cjEgWpljNrhzkaFwCk2bwWKLWHA4Rl15jU8AlR-xeIqi577aGYSh5v5qKwr25JZN0tYT0bVq7hCsvOsMRQ-WXxgX8sUdj/s400/IMG_1532.JPG" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Heading out - Meadows Section</td></tr>
</tbody></table><br />
The first couple miles of the trip is mostly meadow and wetlands where there are lots of birds and other wildlife to view. The next section of the trip takes you through a some wooded sections bordering some houses. There are a couple areas in this section to be careful of. Upon entering the first wooded portion of this trip there was a section of quickwater with a small dropoff. Expect to get a bit wet. There is also a section with some fairly large rocks that a couple of us (including myself) got hung up on. Also there were at least three large trees across the river. None of them required portage, just some limbo bending acrobatics to get under them. One member of our party capsized and went for a swim when going under the lowest one, luckily she was wearing a wetsuit.<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj9mmaqRvzs5W1wMY94jscwS0B-ecXxz1WyiXvn5n0p50ZMBD-reSk-ifBCU0gP0iBrhVLwIEh0XAfa1Oc5IipmbulXvEx4xuwmnQHpzsxVTGFKsYj1m0FR2f33mITmAVwRp4-TaHdnHRUJ/s1600/IMG_1535.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj9mmaqRvzs5W1wMY94jscwS0B-ecXxz1WyiXvn5n0p50ZMBD-reSk-ifBCU0gP0iBrhVLwIEh0XAfa1Oc5IipmbulXvEx4xuwmnQHpzsxVTGFKsYj1m0FR2f33mITmAVwRp4-TaHdnHRUJ/s400/IMG_1535.JPG" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">First downed tree</td></tr>
</tbody></table><br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjGbUH9kBcYdZjG3Csfkqp90lf9FY4qrfwNKxcdVTHYT1hNJTxglYtOKL8sLuzV7LO27GfDYJTbiWocazWix7BX8wpKLyASZGI-pFozP8LBuiJtfH22iLSRhgzb-DVVlDwgV4Q8Jsf1URtP/s1600/IMG_1539.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjGbUH9kBcYdZjG3Csfkqp90lf9FY4qrfwNKxcdVTHYT1hNJTxglYtOKL8sLuzV7LO27GfDYJTbiWocazWix7BX8wpKLyASZGI-pFozP8LBuiJtfH22iLSRhgzb-DVVlDwgV4Q8Jsf1URtP/s400/IMG_1539.JPG" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Lone paddler</td></tr>
</tbody></table><br />
The next couple sections alternate between meadows and woods for a couple miles until you pass under route 93. There are a couple short alternating sections of woods and meadows and then you will pass under a couple rail bridges and then enter the flats section which is a big, wide backed up section called Mill Pond at the Ballardvale dam. <br />
<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjPe7pRlnebto9VbRn62JViO9OFtyTeIrKk9r8aJdGxcVkKSOLv84z_yeKaM117yIk095aXYVCiQHB0WvuZtZeWeUUuGpHuxIPSrfNZiNJN-Mun2QuDJmenn0YlYUVDvOIsMl7MIgBy_jTb/s1600/IMG_1543.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjPe7pRlnebto9VbRn62JViO9OFtyTeIrKk9r8aJdGxcVkKSOLv84z_yeKaM117yIk095aXYVCiQHB0WvuZtZeWeUUuGpHuxIPSrfNZiNJN-Mun2QuDJmenn0YlYUVDvOIsMl7MIgBy_jTb/s400/IMG_1543.JPG" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">1st Rail Bridge</td></tr>
</tbody></table><br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhceWO6UJz-v8WCbtsWdHMTEHAejuTOesFerrA9R4P22KSk4Mbw_NDsIk62dQu2xFVWh3XACsL7QFyEjj_yBrhvkVhVTTbS_0WFP89pAeOCIw7jq8KiYQEWz5lWHUmcUqLyB2J9Rbdp5CTy/s1600/IMG_1544.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhceWO6UJz-v8WCbtsWdHMTEHAejuTOesFerrA9R4P22KSk4Mbw_NDsIk62dQu2xFVWh3XACsL7QFyEjj_yBrhvkVhVTTbS_0WFP89pAeOCIw7jq8KiYQEWz5lWHUmcUqLyB2J9Rbdp5CTy/s400/IMG_1544.JPG" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">2nd Rail Bridge</td></tr>
</tbody></table><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjge6hzwNkrdjXwbQUn0dzKi_nzeJa_f46u-o1eCYAIg8x0MOMOsuWHuMnfinNv1PZF189SVHwiqRy4GhfE0KhId0aa4dNdeIkqs7sd1s63k23EaqTt3elqMJQrUPSEEMhFskDZ22rCirjE/s1600/IMG_1545.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjge6hzwNkrdjXwbQUn0dzKi_nzeJa_f46u-o1eCYAIg8x0MOMOsuWHuMnfinNv1PZF189SVHwiqRy4GhfE0KhId0aa4dNdeIkqs7sd1s63k23EaqTt3elqMJQrUPSEEMhFskDZ22rCirjE/s400/IMG_1545.JPG" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Andover St Bridge before takeout</td></tr>
</tbody></table><br />
<br />
The takeout is right before the Ballardvale dam at the intersection of River Street and Andover Street. There is a private lot along the banks of the river with plenty of parking. This trip was a great start to my kayaking season. A pretty relaxing trip with a few sections to get your heart pumping. If you have any interest in kayaking the Shawsheen I encourage you to visit the <a href="http://www.shawsheen.org/">SRWA</a> website. They have lots of great information and maps of the river.Steve and Jenhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03180943724907201195noreply@blogger.com1