Wednesday, August 18, 2010

Charles River & Bogastow Brook in Medfield Meadows

Since most of the recent thunderstorms have passed to the south of my usual haunts, I decided to head in that direction and trash patrol the Charles River in Medfield.  Before launching my boat at the route 27 bridge, I came upon two recently created trash receptacles in the shrubbery.  Some shore fishermen had obviously put some thought into containing their trash but, apparently, didn't understand how to close the loop and properly dispose of it...
Trash recovered within 50 feet of the launch site made up the lion's share of today's haul.
Once afloat, I headed upriver passing these grazing cattle...

Reaching the point where Bogastow Brook joins the river, I couldn't resist the temptation to venture into the brook.  Around the second bend was this immature black-crowned night heron...
He wasn't bothered by my presence and made no attempt to flee. 
Around the next bend was this great egret and he, too, seemed used to having visitors...
The opening photo was taken at about the point where I turned around in Bogastow Brook and headed back to the Charles.
While paddling today, I found myself thinking about the recent hoopla concerning casinos in Massachusetts.  The politicians are arguing over how many casinos the state will authorize, and the racetracks are ready to jump into the slot parlor business as if it is their birthright.  I can't help thinking that the Native Americans have lost their rightful place in line and been bumped aside (yet again) by those with better political connections.  The Wampanoag and Nipmuc peoples have struggled valiantly for more than three hundred years to maintain their existence as tribes.  Now, when they finally have a chance to build casinos, such as the neighboring Pequots and Mohegans have, the Commonwealth appears to have forgotten the debt it owes these people.  One of the reasons the US government created the 1988 Indian Gaming Act was to protect gaming as a means of generating revenues for the tribes and thereby encourage their economic development.  The Commonwealth should allow the tribes to build and run any casinos.  Massachusetts will benefit from a percentage of the proceeds as Connecticut does with Foxwoods and Mohegan Sun.  I think many would agree that having our state government involved in running casinos wouldn't be a very good bet!
Once my bow hit the sand, it was back to the business at hand and my boat disgorged the day's haul onto the beach.  Total for this patrol was 102 pieces of trash.  Of these, 40 were recyclable (26 redeemable) and 62 were miscellaneous rubbish such as plastic bags, styrofoam cups, a plastic flower pot, and several clumps of fishing line.  YTD total stands at 4057.

4 comments:

Dixit et Fecit said...

Perhaps the local politicians are remembering when Monaco burned 32 house, two mills, many barns killing eight people during the King Philip War. February, 1676
ref: Town of Medfield, History of ~

Al said...

Dixit et Fecit,
"Perhaps the local politicians are remembering when Monaco burned 32 house, two mills, many barns killing eight people during the King Philip War. February, 1676"

Perhaps, but I doubt it. I also doubt they are remembering how Massasoit's 9-year old grandson was sold into slavery by Governor Winslow along with hundreds of other Native Americans.

One interesting thing regarding the incident you refer to was the notice (written in English) left at Death's Bridge by the perpetrators as they escaped across the river. It read: "Know by this paper that the Indians that thou has provoked to wrath and anger will war these twenty-one years, if you will. There are many Indians yett. We come three hundred at this time. You must consider that the Indians loose nothing but their lives, you must loose your fair houses and cattle." (from History of Medfield by William S. Tilden) as found in Ron McAdow's book The Charles River.

One might imagine the reasons for this "wrath and anger".

Yesterday, I paddled under the spot where the bridge and notice were once located.

Dixit et Fecit said...

Hopefully, between us, we can encourage those who tarry long enough to read our comments to study the history of our area.
Puts a little wonderment into your travails with naught but a paddle, kayak & camera. Every photo could tell a story. Who said that?

Anonymous said...

Just started paddling the Sudbury River. No wonder it looks so tidy. Your blog is delightful!