"The governor (Winthrop) and deputy went to Concord to view some land for farms, and, going down the river about 4 miles, they made choice of a place for one thousand acres for each of them....So, at the place where the deputy's land was to begin, there were two great stones, which they called the Two Brothers, in remembrance that they were brothers by their children's marriage, and did so brotherly agree, and for that a little creek near those stones was to part their lands."
In 1894 both rocks were inscribed by the Bedford Historical Society to commemorate the 1638 visit...
As boat launches go it's a good one, though with limited parking (perhaps 4 or 5 cars). There's a kiosk, a trash barrel, a bench, and a nice sandy beach to launch from (no muck). Can think of only a couple of things that might make it (as well as the launch upriver in Bedford) even better...such as the addition of a Porta-John! The kiosk provides visitors with geographical and historical information...
Next, upon reaching the parking area there would be additional signage designating spots for trailered vehicles, roof-top vehicles, and vehicles with handicapped stickers. Between the parking area and the waterbody would be a Porta-John, and a trash barrel. Approaching the launch there would be a kiosk with a map noting hazards, and any specific-to-the-area boating and fishing regulations. One item I think would be very helpful would be the posting of state regulations pertaining to wearable life jackets, specifically the times of the year when kayakers and canoeists are required by law to wear them while out on the water. Finally, where the actual launching takes place, a gently sloping (if possible) dirt or concrete ramp. Ideally, if the launch serves trailered boats, there'd be a dirt or gravel slope nearby for canoes and kayaks to use simultaneously. There it is...my dream launch. While I've seen some that come close, I've yet to find one that checks all of those boxes.
....despite the beast's ferocious demeanor...
...about to take the hook. Several fishermen back in Bedford told me that northern pike was the very fish they were hoping to catch.
Just after passing Jug Island on the river's east shore is Bartlett's Landing. I've paddled by this spot many times never realizing it was a boat launch. Landed here to check it out...
Once I'd got back out on the river, and with it being such a quiet morning, my thoughts drifted to imagining what my ideal boat launch would look like. So, if I may, here's a description of my dream launch:
First of all it would start with good signage on the main road such as this example from the State of Maine which is uniformly used throughout that state...
Continuing downriver I reached the modern and seemingly always busy Route 3 highway overpass...
Just beyond are the sleepy remains of where Route 3's predecessor the Middlesex Turnpike long ago (1800s) bridged the river...
Turned around here and started the trip upriver with a little help from a northeasterly breeze.
Who's afraid of the big, bad, wolf? Not this Canada geese family...
Near the Route 4 bridge I came across this discarded beer can depicting a northern pike...
Trash found along the way...
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