Ordinarily I wouldn't gain access to the Sudbury River by launching into Heard Pond in Wayland, MA...but these are not ordinary times. January is impersonating March and river levels are high enough that many bridges are short on headroom. Thus, this past Thursday, Heard Pond gave me access to a good bit of the Sudbury River without having to navigate bridges.
After launching into the almost completely ice-free pond, a short paddle brought me to the pond's southern end where it was difficult to determine where the pond ended and river began...
Once out on the newly widened river the main channel couldn't be discerned...
It was disorienting to have many of the usual markers submerged and reminded me of the feeling one gets when enveloped in fog on the ocean. Nonetheless, I was very happy to be paddling in January under blue skies with a temperature near 40 degrees F.
The Pelham Island Road Bridge confirmed I'd made the right decision in launching at Heard Pond...
The only ice I came across that day was on the far western side of the pond...
The following day, Friday, delivered more sun, less wind, and even warmer temperatures...45 degrees F. I launched from a flooded Calf Pasture at Lowell Road in Concord, MA...
...and after visiting the fully submerged inscription at Egg Rock...
...headed downstream on the Concord River. Enjoyed a hot cup of cocoa while just sitting in my boat riding the current which was moving me along at close to 2 mph. The Old North Bridge had ample headroom...
...as did the Monument Street bridge around the next bend. Nearly all of last Sunday's snow was nowhere to be seen.
The Great Meadows National Wildlife Refuge impoundments could have been accessed by boat (though doing so is not allowed)...
...and the Dike Trail/Landing area was also submerged...
High water allowed taking a shortcut straight across the Holt rather than following the river's jog around it. I emerged back into the river below Buttrick's Hill and came across this Common Goldeneye pair...
More rain last night was accompanied by even more milder air with temperatures near 60 degrees F. today. Perhaps this is our "January Thaw"?
Trash encountered Thursday on the Sudbury (in areas not usually accessible) included 104 miniature bottles (aka "nips")...
Trash found Friday on the Concord (in areas not usually accessible) included 15 miniatures...
Good article in today's Boston Globe by Beth Treffeisen about the Town of Plymouth, MA where voters will decide whether or not to ban the sale of miniature alcohol bottles. What would the Pilgrims have thought of these troublesome little containers being all over the place?
No comments:
Post a Comment