Saturday, November 30, 2013

Seeing November to the Door

Since November's recent turn to a winter-like feel, I was only too happy to escort her to the door and say "good-bye" until next year.  Despite the morning's very cold start, plenty of sunshine and very little wind allowed a fine opportunity to experience a replenished Assabet River in Hudson and Stow.  This resulted from the nearly 2.5 inches of rain that fell last Wednesday. 

After launching at Cox Street, I soon encountered this blue heron who was at a loss to explain his not having flown south...
 He only shrugged when asked if he intended to stay over for the winter...

Where the Assabet turns sharply to the north in order to round Orchard Hill, I looked back to see this intervale lying at the hill's base...

The only breeze of the day was found on approaching the Gleasondale Dam, my turnaround point.   I retreated back upriver and out of said breeze before enjoying a mug-up of hot cocoa.

On my trip upstream to Cox Street I encountered this red-tailed hawk seemingly in "hawk heaven"...

A fair amount of trash was encountered today as well...
There were 41 recyclable containers (8 redeemable) and 46 pieces of miscellaneous rubbish such as Styrofoam, nip bottles, and plastic bags.  YTD = 6030

Upon approaching the takeout at Cox Street, the last song lyrics  heard from my shuffle were "...I'm going where the sun keeps shining, through the pouring rain.   Going where the weather suits my clothes.  Banking off of the north east wind, sailing on a summer breeze.  And skipping over the ocean like a stone...." sung by Fred Neil.    Don't I wish.

4 comments:

suep said...

Looks like a lovely day for a paddle...things are skimming up around here. Any idea on how your trash count is doing, relative to previous years? are you seeing any trends ? Hopefully it's going DOWN

Al said...

Hi Sue, Good to hear from you up there in Fennimore Cooper country.

I'm hoping an early December warming trend will hold off the ice for a little longer ('round these parts).

My trash count is down some from previous years and that's a good sign.

So far this year, I'm finding 8.7 pieces of trash per mile paddled.

Last year I found 9.9 pieces of trash per mile.

Hope you have a good winter.

BERNIE said...

"...replenished Assabet River in Hudson and Stow." Replenished not only by rain, but also by the Trash Paddlers 87 piece clean up. Thx for the beautiful ride. I could taste the sweet warmth of the hot chocolate.

Al said...

Thanks Bernie, Is the ground still white up your way?