New Landings on the Assabet

Had hoped to paddle on the 50th Earth Day but the day's strong winds persuaded me to wait until yesterday.  The upriver terminus of my day-after Earth Day paddle on the Assabet River was just below where the Damonmill Dam formerly stood (above photo).  Had I needed to continue upriver, I could have utilized the new landing just below Route 62 and wheeled my boat along the trail to and then down Water Street.

While briefly exploring this new landing a hawk was encountered...

...who seemed unconcerned with my presence...

My travels from here brought me down the approximately 4 mile stretch of the Assabet designated as "Wild and Scenic".  About half way down I stopped at another recently established landing in West Concord between Route 62 and the commuter rail bridge...

Though I'd seen the sign before this was my first time actually landing there.  I was pleasantly surprised to find it incorporates the remains of an old industrial site's slabs and machinery...

Picnic tables are provided as well...

There's also a trail to a small parking area.

Post-lunch a swift current and bright blue skies brought me under the Elm Street (aka Rt. 2) bridge...

...and before I knew it the Egg Rock inscription was displaying a third line of text...

On my return trip upriver I encountered another paddler, Jim in his Bell canoe, working his way steadily against the flow...

The Covid-19 Pandemic unintentionally provided us with some unusually smog-free air and the 50th Earth Day may be remembered for giving our beleaguered planet a brief breather from our carbon emissions.  As we and our planet navigate these dangerous waters, wouldn't it be reassuring to look to our ship's helm and see a steady hand at the wheel?...