A Brief January Window

Awaking to yesterday's rainstorm I had no plans to get out on the water.  However, when the rain let up at noontime I stepped out to get the mail and was surprised with how relatively mild it felt.  Hints of developing sunshine could also be seen.  So, shortly after rounding up my boat and appropriate apparel, gear, et. all  ("Minuteman"-like), I found myself at the confluence of the Assabet, Concord, and Sudbury rivers where water levels had risen nicely (photo at left).

After ascending the Assabet River up to and a little beyond Spencer Brook I returned to the confluence just as the sun began emerging behind me...

Then it was down the Concord River and under the Old North Bridge...

...where things were found quite peaceful.

Below Flint's Bridge the Concord looked stately and serene...

...as the clouds retreated to the northeast.

The trip back upriver was into some intense low-angle sun where a little shade was found at Flint's Bridge...

I arrived back at the confluence as the sun began sinking behind the trees at Egg Rock...

This unexpected sojourn provided just the tonic I needed at this time of the year, and it was nice finding it only a few miles from my front door.

Some trash gathered up along the way...