Paddling to Populatic Pond

I'd been wanting to experience the Populatic Pond section of the Charles River for awhile, and today's nice weather provided a late season opportunity.  Once again I referenced McAdow's guidebook The Charles River: Exploring Nature and History on Foot and by Canoe and launched at River Road in Norfolk where the Mill River flows into the Charles.  After paddling the short distance downriver to Myrtle Street I turned about and began my trip to Populatic.  I expected there to be some ice, and found that only the north end of the pond, where the river enters and exits, had open water (photo at left).
Before reaching the pond I passed by "The Buzzards Bay"...

...where my logo felt right at home.

I also stopped to admire the work of an artistic beaver...

Heading upriver from the pond I paddled a much narrower Charles River and came across the lion's share of today's trash before reaching this sizable barrier...

The blowdown was located about half a mile upriver from the pond. 
No sooner had I turned around than sunshine returned and began warming things up in earnest.  Lunch was taken at a nice spot where the river runs parallel to Populatic Street in Franklin...

The site included a rustic diving log for those inclined to take the plunge.

The day's trash haul included an empty ice-cube tray (unfrozen) which I'll take as a good omen and a can of "Soda Shaq"...

There were 65 recyclable containers (25 redeemable) and 54 pieces of miscellaneous rubbish. 
YTD = 6186.

I take comfort in realizing that the "100 day countdown till spring" begins one week from today.