Here in New England it's not too often we see a Leap Day accompanied by temperatures above 60 degrees. After launching late this morning at Lowell Road in Concord I paddled up to the inscription at Egg Rock where part of the text was submerged for the first time in quite awhile (photo at left).
In consideration of the day's gusty winds I chose to ascend the Assabet River in hopes it would provide some shelter from the gusts.
Wildlife was in abundant supply with large numbers of robins, one group of red-winged blackbirds (1st of the season) behind Barrett's farm, this small hawk...
...several wood ducks...
...this pair of pileated woodpeckers...
...and this beaver perched at water's edge...
They along with many hundreds of what I believe to be stonefly nymphs seem to know that spring is sprung.
Thanks to the high water levels access to the long-abandoned railroad bed of the Boston and Maine Railroad's Reformatory Branch was easier than usual. In some spots it's condition is amazing considering this section along the Assabet last saw trains in the mid 1920s.
Some 1870s stonework that's stood the test of time...
The view down the old right of way (towards Reformatory) from atop the culvert...
The view to the east from the same spot...
Looks as though crossties and rails could be set down tomorrow.
East of where the line crossed the Assabet River the right of way hasn't faired as well...
...and the forest has reclaimed much the right of way.
By the time I reached Route 2 a spring shower signaled a passing cold front...
...and made a good place to turn around.
Once back at Lowell Rd. the sunshine was beginning to return.
A fair amount of trash was encountered today...
...and included such inflatable items as an inner tube, a Mylar balloon, a football, and a basketball. The rest was mostly plastic containers.
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