Escape to Southern Waters

Today I finally escaped the lingering effects of last week's Polar Vortex and found providence in the Providence River section of Narragansett Bay, Rhode Island.  The springlike weather provided ideal conditions for getting my 2014 paddling season underway.  From a list of possible launch sites found on the Rhode Island Canoe and Kayak Association's web site I chose the Passeonkquis Cove Fishing Access in Warwick.  Upon my arrival a pair of duck hunters were launching a small skiff and heading out.  Shortly, I also headed out and after finding things a bit breezy out of the south, crossed the river from Gaspee Point to Bullock Point where more tranquil waters were eventually found in Bullock Cove...

The above photo was taken upon emerging from the culverts under Crescent View Ave.

After my return trip under the roadway I stopped for some leg stretching and found a fair amount of trash in the grass adjacent to the culverts and the road...

As I returned to where the cove meets the bay, the tanker Okhta Bridge was seen making its way towards Providence...

Little Conimicut Light can be seen in the distance to the right of the ship's bow.

Once the tanker passed I re-crossed the river and watched as it prepared to rendezvous with a waiting tugboat...

Perhaps it's carrying some heating oil to replenish dwindling supplies.

Back at Passeonkquis Cove my first aquatic trash haul of the new year gathered hullside...

There were 32 recyclable containers and 30 pieces of miscellaneous rubbish such as plastic bags and Styrofoam cups.

I don't recall ever seeing as many mute swans as were seen today.  There were also Brant geese, bufflehead ducks, and sea gulls.