Tuesday, January 27, 2015

A Long Ways from the Water


Surely these are the times that try this paddler's soul.

On this morning four days from the halfway point in my 100-day countdown to the vernal equinox, my outside thermometer shows 13 degrees and the barrel, containing paddling gear, is adorned by an absurd white top-hat this morning.  Navigating anything other than oceans of fluffy white snow seems a long way off.

Fortunately I have plenty of heat emanating from my pellet stove, good music on the radio, some old maps to peruse, and an appropriate movie to later screen: Atanarjuat:The Fast Runner (if I can find it).

For some comic relief I enjoyed reading Kevin Cullen's take on all this in today's Boston Globe: "Blizzards can seem like the end of the world".

Some waterways I'm planning to experience once Old Man Winter takes his leave are:

Part of the Wampanoag Canoe Passage specifically near Massasoit's Monponsett hunting lodge where his eldest son Wamsutta (aka Alexander) was taken into custody by the dastardly (in my opinion) Josiah Winslow.

Where Metacomet (aka King Philip) and his Pokanoket followers escaped Pocasset by crossing the Taunton River.

Where Weetamoo lost her life trying to cross the same waterway.

These two ducks were also a long way from the water this afternoon...
Not sure how or why they ended up in my neighborhood.

Sunday, January 4, 2015

Starting Anew on the Assabet

It was a very promising weather forecast that sent me to the Assabet River in Stow late this morning.  I launched at Magazu's Landing (at left) on Sudbury Road in anticipation of temperatures in the 50's.  Rather than wait for the warmth to actually develop, I decided to get there early to beat the crowds.

The rain had let up and it was 34 degrees F. according to my car's thermometer.

After launching I headed up river towards Gleasondale anxious to  soon shed my pogies.

The river looked quite peaceful...

Wildlife was plentiful and consisted of mute swans, Canada geese, loads of ducks, and these red-tailed hawks...

They were frequently moving from one perch to another...

The first piece of aquatic trash for this new year...
...a Remington shotgun shell.

Arrived at Gleasondale and found my boat's thermometer only nudging 36 degrees F....
Paddling beyond the Route 62 bridge brought me to within sight of the dam upstream of the footbridge...

On my return trip downriver I stopped at a wintry-looking portal to Fort Meadow Brook...

A fog developed without any noticeable rise in temperature...
...allowing me to get closer than usual to these mergansers...


Back at the landing the day's trash haul jumped ashore...
Somewhere upriver there's a litterer with very fresh breath!

The 50's were never reached.  In fact the 40's were never reached.  Upon driving home my car's thermometer showed only 36 degrees F.  Yet, I'm not that disappointed...for it was still nice out on the river and my 2015 paddling season is now officially underway without my having to leave Massachusetts.

By the way, my New Year's resolution is that no Styrofoam will touch my lips in 2015.  I'll be bringing along a stainless steel travel mug ready to press into service for any store-bought coffee.