With only a week remaining until the Run of the Charles, I decided to checkout part of the course and conduct a trash patrol at the same time. Skies were fairly fickle with showers and dark clouds bracketed by occasional peeks at the sun. After launching at the Norumbega Duck Feeding Area, I headed upriver into a steady current. Initially a belted kingfisher was scouting ahead for me. However, he transferred me over to this Mute Swan that paddled my right flank for nearly a half-mile above Riverside...
It was interesting to see the swan show a few unruly Canada geese who the real boss was.
Upon reaching the Leo J. Martin Memorial golf course, I made a point of seeing how much clearance there was under the golfcart bridge that crosses the river there. Downriver paddlers will see this view as they approach the bridge...
The bridge became my turnaround point and the swift current provided an almost effortless ride back to Norumbega. Along the way I observed red-winged blackbirds, the earlier mentioned swan and Canada geese, a deceased beaver, a kestral, and several red-tailed hawks.
Also encountered today were several groups of canoe and kayak paddlers that appeared to be scoping out the course of next weekend's race as well.
The small beach at Riverside made a great spot for a group photo of the day's haul...
Today's breakdown: 55 recyclable containers (10 redeemable) and 89 pieces of miscellaneous rubbish such as styrofoam, plastic bags, fishing gear, and nip bottles. My YTD total stands at 1785.
This coming Saturday (4/24) the Charles River Watershed Association will hold their 11th Annual Charles River Cleanup. More than 3,000 volunteers will conduct a major offensive covering all 80 miles of the river's shores. Anyone interested in signing up should visit their web site: http://www.charlesriver.org/
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