Saturday, February 22, 2014

A Pettaquamscutt State of Mind

With sun and warmer temperatures predicted for today I had to at least try to find a better climate...preferably one without humongous snow banks.  My plan was to find that better climate some 90 miles to the south in the Rhode Island towns of Narragansett and South Kingstown.  Just as a precaution, a snow shovel was brought along, in the event I needed to shovel-out a parking space for my car at the boat ramp.  Thankfully, the shovel wasn't necessary as snow amounts had been greatly reduced in this part of the Ocean State.

Shortly before reaching the Pollock Ave boat ramp, I saw the marker for Pettaquamscutt Rock alongside Middlebridge Road...
I walked up the path to where the rock could be seen through the brush...
...and a few minutes later was enjoying the view from the top while thinking of the significant role this spot played in dealings between the Narragansett tribe and the first European settlers of Rhode Island.
My hunch would be that it was the Narragansett people who chose such a cool spot for conducting business.

Once launched into the Pettaquamscutt River I headed south, passing under Middle Bridge Road where the only other paddler was encountered.  She was on a stand-up-paddleboard and heading in the other direction.  I continued into Pettaquamscutt Cove until reaching Gooseberry Island (opening photo) where a little lunch provided enough energy for the short climb to the island's highpoint...
A retreating ice sheet could be seen at the cove's south end.
 
The strong breeze out of the southwest soon helped me reach the Sprague Bridge where the river narrows before emerging into a lively Narragansett Bay...
Many folks were enjoying a walk to the north tip of Narragansett Beach and it was close to high tide.

Before reaching the breaking surf I turned about and headed back to Middle Bridge where I landed at the bridge's west end...
A short walk to the west along Middlebridge Road brings one to the stone marker for Jireh Bull's trading post/garrison house...

During the conflict known as "King Philip's War" this site was to be used as a staging ground by an 1100-man military force from Massachusetts, Plymouth, and Connecticut whose purpose was to destroy the Narragansett tribe in December 1675.
The Narragansett burned the garrison before it could be used by the invading force, but were unable to prevent the Puritan army from locating and destroying their main village 7 or 8 miles to the west.

Once back on the river, I continued north until reaching another ice sheet a short distance above Bridgetown Road...
The ice terminated my upriver journey and, after turning about, I began paddling against the wind to my takeout at Pollock Avenue.

There my very modest trash haul enjoyed a little beach time...

Not much trash in these waters...only 7 recyclables and 8 pieces of misc. rubbish. 
YTD = 246

So, all in all, it was mission accomplished and the Ocean State has, once again, provided salvation to this winter hating paddler.

Helpful maps and information by the Narrow River Preservation Association and Rhode Island Blueways can be found at these links:
Upper Pettaquamscutt River
Lower Pettaquamscutt River and Cove

Tuesday, February 18, 2014

Ending Up in a Rut


Rant of a self-acknowledged "Winter Hater":  Too much snow; Too much cold; Too many commercials; It's all getting old; Looks like we always end up in a rut.

To get through I've been listening and watching Les McCann, Eddie Harris, and Benny Bailey from back in 1969 as they "...tried to make it real - compared to what."    (Sorry about the short commercial)

Sunday, February 2, 2014

A Visit to Massasoit's Sowams

Ever since first reading Edward Winslow's account of his 1621 visit to Massasoit's residence at "Sowams", I've wondered just where this place was located.  Recently, I came across (online) a historical sketch written in 1904 by Virginia Baker: Massasoit's Town - Sowams in Pakanoket, Its History, Legends, and Traditions.  In opening she explains: ..."The ancient chroniclers often allude to Massasoit's place of residence, and the questions that naturally present themselves are: Where was this place? Why did Massasoit select it for his abode?  What is its history?" 
Reading her sketch provided me with a location and, even better, one which I could paddle to on this fairly mild "Groundhog Day".  After spending a good part of Saturday studying maps, etc., I emerged from my burrow early this morning and under the cover of darkness traveled to Barrington, Rhode Island arriving there just a little after daybreak. I launched into the Barrington River between the East Bay Bike Path and the Rt. 114/Rt. 103 bridge (opening photo).  Fog was making a valiant effort to prevent any and all from seeing their shadows.  I paddled against the incoming tide to below Tyler Point and then crossed over to the Town of Warren's shore until reaching the location given by Baker (appropriately named Baker Street).  At a shallow spot my boat's painter was tied to a post and I went ashore for the short walk to a small park alongside Baker Street...
The pictured ring of stones had me wondering if it was meant to represent a possible location of Massasoit's lodge or perhaps the spring bearing his name.  Unfortunately, there were no signs or plaques that I could find.  A little disappointed, I started heading back to the water, and almost walked into a moss covered stone bearing this tablet, on the sidewalk across the street...
It was erected by the State of Rhode Island in 1907.  With this found, my goal for the day had been successfully accomplished and from now on I'll have a physical place to envision whenever thinking of the Massasoit/Winslow encounters.  I should mention that there are other theories as to the geographical location of Sowams.  Some claim it was in Barrington and others say Bristol.

After re-launching I returned to the Barrington River and rode the incoming tide a few miles upriver to Hundred Acre Cove where small floating icebergs emerging out of the fog brought to mind the Titanic...

Solid ice was encountered a short ways above Osamequin (Massasoit's real name) Nature Trail and Bird Sanctuary.  This stately osprey nest was located nearby...

While ashore having a snack and waiting for the tide to turn, the fog began clearing and allowed me to view more of the cove...

It was chock-full of buffleheads, mergansers, Canada geese, mute swans, and seagulls.  This merganser sort of stuck around...

Upon returning to the takeout, the sun was gaining ground so I continued back around Tyler Pt. and headed a short way up the Warren River to where I could see it stretching northward...
...towards the Palmer River and Massachusetts.

Now that I've seen the possible location of Sowams, I'd have to say that Massasoit sure selected an ideal location.  This photo, taken from the confluence of the Barrington and Warren Rivers (after the fog lifted), shows the Warren waterfront and Sowams would be behind the building at the far right ....
From this location he would have had access to the Warren and Barrington Rivers as well as Narragansett Bay's upper and lower sections.  Also, the Kickemuit River was only one mile to the east and provided access to Mount Hope Bay and the Taunton River.  Bounties of fish, waterfowl, oysters, quahaugs, and lobsters were there for the taking.
 
I'm really starting to appreciate this region at the 41st latitude, especially in winter. 

My trash haul for the day...

There were 30 recyclable containers and 27 pieces of miscellaneous rubbish such as plastic bags and Styrofoam.  More than half of the trash was found at the boat ramp from which I launched. 
YTD = 231