Rocky Narrows Reflections

Fortunate was I in having my workweek end at mid-day yesterday almost within site of the Charles River in Sherborn, MA.  The sun was out, winds were calm, and after a cold start the day had warmed nicely.

Pulled the boat off my car's roof and, to my horror, found my paddle was AWOL having been left home due to work-related space saving measures.  Thoughts of tying pogies to both ends of a tree branch were quickly dismissed without much debate. 
Momentary panic eased when I remembered there being a spare paddle stored below deck in my boat's aft.  The spare was a refugee from another river and despite looking a little rough, served nicely as a stand-in.  Actually came to feel quite comfortable.

In short order my boat and I were launched at Farm Road and heading upriver towards the Rocky Narrows and King Philip's Lookout area
. 

Aside from an acrobatic mini-helicopter soaring and swooping near the CSX railroad bridge, things were fairly quiet.
While I enjoyed lunch adrift on the water a hiker enjoyed his amidst the trees atop King Philip's Lookout...

 
Heading downriver I came across what looked to be the Orion capsule post-splashdown...

...seems to have weathered those 4,000 degree temps on re-entry AOK.
Actually, I believe it might be a solar powered water sampler.  There's one upstream and one downstream of the Medfield State Hospital construction project which is moving along...

Both the sun and warm temperatures began a fast fade as I entered the Rocky Narrows on my return downriver...

...resulting in a reflective mood as this year approaches its end. 

Paddled past the takeout...

...and continued downriver until turning around where the river swept ahead into Natick...

Back ashore my trash haul from the river (left side) got acquainted with their terrestrial cousins (right side) found at the boat launch/trailhead area...

There were 25 recyclable containers (14 redeemable) and 16 pieces of miscellaneous rubbish such as Styrofoam and plastic bags.  YTD = 5696

This sign posted at the Rocky Narrows canoe landing seems to have been successful in keeping that area clean as a whistle...

Might work well at boat launches on other rivers.