Sunday, July 30, 2017

Assabet Goin' Low

Guess you can't blame the Assabet River for goin' low after this past week's events on our national stage.  Never thought I'd see the likes of what the new WH director of communications did and got away with...fair to say the mask has now been removed.  What we see is what we got.  Cheery thought, eh?

Last Sunday morning's gusty winds sent several more trees into the river such as this spot beyond the new buoy...
...between the Leaning Hemlocks and Dove Rock.

Made it from Egg Rock up to Nashoba Brook where this shopping cart graced the confluence...
An attempt was made to transport it on my aft deck...
 As far as I know, only this green heron saw the debacle that ensued...
The shopping cart was instead brought up the bank and placed near a bench behind Concord Park.

The day's haul of trash...
...included the first can of Mayflower beer I've come across...
...and a plate from jolly ole England...

Saw my first Cardinal flower of this season today which means summer is getting a little long in the tooth.

6 comments:

LALA said...

Hi
Thinking of paddling the Assabet from Gleasondale to Ice house landing this week, is the water low right now?

Al said...

Hello LALA, The river is beginning to get low. However, the stretch you're planning to paddle has the Ben Smith Dam which maintains a consistent level. There will be blowdowns to get around in the first half mile or so.

LALA said...

We're trying to figure out best place to put in. Would you recommend Gleasondale Rd or Sudbury Road.
Having hard time finding info on parking etc.
Thanks so much!!

Al said...

Putting in at Gleasondale Rd is complicated a bit by the bridge being reduced to one lane travel. The Jersey barriers (for traffic control) may block access to the closest parking spot. However, there is some parking across the street near the entrance to Gleasondale Industrial Park (Rockbottom Rd). Vehicles would need to be parked so not to block access to the Industrial Park. The path down to the river is on the downstream left side of the bridge.

Putting in at Sudbury Rd can be done on either side of the river upstream of the Sudbury Rd bridge. Magazu's Landing on one side has room for several cars and there's a set of steps down to the river. The launch on the opposite side has room for fewer cars and is a bit muddy.
Plenty of water now.

LALA said...

We did Ice House to Gleasondale. What an absolute joy of a river. Meet Mr Heron and quite a few swans and tons of other birds and turtles galore. Also saw one of the largest snapping turtles I've ever seen.
Collected a bunch of bottles and at least 10 bobbers w line hook and a few worms.
Thanks for your help!
Happy Paddling!

Al said...

Glad to hear it. You sure picked a great day to do the trip!