Blackburn Challenge 2009 - Salty Waters of Cape Ann

Sitting in my kayak near the railroad drawbridge over the Annisquam River yesterday morning I prepared myself for the task at hand. It’s fairly simple and straightforward: plant one of the blades of my paddle into the water and pull with one arm while pushing with the other, do same with opposite blade and then repeat again and again, until I have travelled the approximately 20 miles between this spot and Gloucester Harbor’s ‘Greasy Pole’. At that point, having circumnavigated Cape Ann, I can stop paddling and make landfall on a beach where a cold draft and hot barbeque meal will await my arrival.
Could I have those things without paddling the 20 miles? Sure, I could. Would they taste as good? I doubt it. And besides, I wouldn’t have the satisfaction of demonstrating that I still possess the mettle required to meet the Cape Ann Rowing Club’s annual Blackburn Challenge.
Now, I don’t know how seriously old Howard Blackburn would take any of this. After all, he rowed a heavy fishing dory approximately 60 miles in the mid-winter of 1883 and his very survival depended on his being successful. In the process he lost most of his fingers and toes to frostbite. Certainly, our paddling or rowing 20 miles in mid-summer pales by comparison, but perhaps Howard would cut us some slack for helping to keep alive the story of his epic ordeal.
I first took the Blackburn Challenge in 1991 when 40 years old and it has become an annual rite of passage for me. Each year I look forward to asking myself the question and finding out the answer. More than 200 others will also be taking the challenge and, judging by the familiar names listed year after year, I suspect many have also adopted this event as their own annual ritual. With so many of us heading to the same destination in a wide variety of human-powered boats, at times, it will feel like we’re part of some modern-day ‘Spanish Armada’! Many will reach the beach before me and many after, but that really doesn’t matter. So long as I can make it under my own power, I can return home safe with the knowledge that, for at least one more year, “I still got it!” Despite the fact that I often have difficulty standing up after tying my shoes and sometimes wonder if I’ll be able to get socks onto my feet, I can still circumnavigate Cape Ann!
Then it was time for my class of boats to approach the starting line and begin the journey. On my deck were 4 pieces of trash freshly plucked from the waters of the Annisquam River: a beer bottle, plastic water bottle, styrofoam coffee cup, and a plastic bag complete with smiley face. This fairly typical group would accompany me all the way to the finish. The first order of business was paddling the Annisquam up to the Lighthouse at Wigwam Point. No sooner had we left the confines of the river, than we entered the realm of fog. Most of Lanesville and Rockport were never seen. Near Halibut Point, a shiny black head surfaced about 10 yards in front of me. The head slowly turned, revealing the whiskered face of a small harbor seal that upon seeing my rapidly oncoming bow, signaled “dive”, “dive”, “dive” and quickly disappeared beneath the surface. At Andrews Point, we needed to use the charts (with compass headings) provided by event organizers to make the 2-mile crossing of Sandy Bay to Straitsmouth Island and the halfway check-in point. Enveloped in the fog it was easy to imagine having been transported back in time, when looking to starboard, I saw two men pulling hard on the oars of a banks dory such as Howard Blackburn rowed in 1883. After passing between Emerson Point and Milk Island the fog began to lift allowing views of Good Harbor Beach and Atlantic Road. Just a little past the 3-hour point I finally got to see Eastern Point Lighthouse. Beyond that was the little light at the end of the Dog Bar Breakwater and the final turn into Gloucester Harbor. The last 2 miles is a straight shot with a great view of the city of Gloucester and its still busy harbor. Passing Tenpound Island, the Greasy Pole comes into view followed by the sound of live music. Then a small thud as my bow hits the sandy beach and, at last, the incredible tastiness of a draft beer and barbeque dinner!

Congratulations to the organizers of this year's Blackburn Challenge on their excellent job!
Also congrats to Adirondack Pirate Pete on completing his first trip around Cape Ann! Nice job Pete!
In case you’re wondering, the Greasy Pole is used during St. Peter’s Fiesta. Click here to see how.

Sudbury River - S. Bridge to Fairhaven Bay & Back

Today's trash patrol of the Sudbury River found Mrs. Trashpaddler perched in the bow fulfilling the role of first mate! Great skill was displayed in using her paddle blade to lift objects from the water. She may be a 'natural'.
We rented a double kayak (sometimes referred to as a "divorce boat") and paddled upriver against a still steady current more typical of springtime. Trash was spotty, at best, with most of it found in the Heath's Bridge area. Fairly good sized bottle of brandy floating amidst the lily pads.
Numerous Canada geese, blue herons, tree swallows, and eastern kingbirds were seen along the way. One red-tailed hawk was seen as well.
Arriving at Fairhaven Bay we landed on Brooke Island and came upon this cluster of ghostly 'Indian Pipe'...

The trip back downriver was into a very refreshing breeze. Conditions could only be described as idyllic and numerous folks were taking in the river from canoes and kayaks. At Heath's Bridge there were several people fishing. Some were fishing from atop the bridge, perhaps unaware of an old town ordinance forbidding it.
Arriving back at our takeout location, our trash count for the day was a modest 10...

Of these 3 were recyclable (2 redeemable) and 7 were misc. rubbish. YTD total stands at 2700. Blackburn Challenge in only 3 days time.

Lower Sudbury and Upper Concord to Buttricks Hill

Once the early morning's rains had subsided, I launched into the Lower Sudbury River trash patrolling it from the S. Bridge to Egg Rock and then the Concord River down to Buttricks Hill and back. The weather improved with each passing minute and the water levels were more typical of springtime rather than July. By the time I passed under the "rude bridge that arched the flood" I had brought 22 pieces of trash onboard, as the rising waters had lifted many peices of flotsam from the river's banks. At Great Meadows Landing, I found a plastic CVS bag filled with someone's refuse hanging from the monofilament fishing line repository. How creative! Some people put more thought into finding ways to ditch their trash than it would take to just carry it out and dispose of it properly.
In the backwater before Saw Mill Brook an unusual shaped bottle of Grand Marnier Cognac was bobbing neck-up. It must have been tough for it, having to mingle with empty cans of Bud Lite! Reaching the backwater downstream of Buttricks Hill, I turned around and began a steady slog upstream against the product of our many recent rain events. A little downstream of Great Meadows Landing, and on the river's opposite side, it looked as though I could just paddle through the grass to this handsome old farmstead...

Upstream of Great Meadows Landing on river left, I observed that the 'ghost ship' had finally found a home and its painter was tied securely to a tree...
It was now equipped with a 2-piece kayak paddle and a crooked pole made from a birch limb.
The Flint's Bridge construction project showed considerable progress having been recently made. Concrete has been added at each end of the span. It looks as though the original stonework arch will be left in place.
Just upstream of the bridge, where the river begins bending to the left, I found a can of 'Glade' air freshener. Just what every river needs!
Reaching my takeout location, I landed with 52 pieces of trash. Of these, 26 were recyclable (8 redeemable) and 26 were misc. rubbish. After disembarking, they posed briefly for this group photo...

My YTD total stands at 2690. Only 6 days till the Blackburn and a taste of some salty water for a change!

Sudbury River - Saxonville to Stone Bridge + Oxbow

Thanks to recent downpours, the Sudbury River provided me with an aquatic treadmill on which I could better prepare myself for the upcoming Blackburn Challenge. There are only nine days left.
My kayak and I launched at Little Farms Road using what little riverbank was left above water. The river is at springtime levels and it is chugging at a pretty good clip. I paddled upriver against the chugging and stopped at the Saxonville gauging station which showed a level of close to 8 feet...

Continuing upriver past the gauging station I entered a shady section where the river sweeps to the right. In this section were numerous belted kingfishers and they almost seemed to be buzzing me. At one point there were 3 within my immediate vicinity. There were also a few blue herons. Emerging from the shady section, I got my first look at the Saxonville Mill buildings...

After snapping the photo, I turned around and began riding the swift current downstream. As I approached Concord Street, I pondered how much higher the river would need to get before the massive flood gates at Concord Street would need closing. The gates and this wall are critical in protecting these homes and others...

After ducking under Concord Street, I paddled into Cochituate Brook a little ways and noted there was not nearly as much current as the river. Back on the river, I passed under Danforth Street and witnessed a large group of children crossing the bridge, perhaps enroute to a summer camp event. Just before arriving back at Little Farms, I noticed that the old mile-long oxbow of the river was accessible and after entering, this view beckoned me onward...

The two ends of this loop were separated by only about 100 yards and, at some point in the past, the 100 yards between the ends were breeched allowing the river to take a short-cut. This resulted in the oxbow being isolated most of the time. Low-hanging branches blocked my progress at several points and I thought of turning back but was already hooked. Once past the obstacles I entered an enchanted section of oxbow where a large beaver colony exists. This one beaver was sitting on top of his lodge, seemingly surveying his kingdom...

Once they detected my presence, a round of tail slapping commenced which revealed that quite a few beavers were in the area. Leaving them behind, the oxbow began its sweep to the left and from under the shady right bank, near some power lines, a large owl flushed from a tree and flew about 25 yards ahead of me to another tree. As I located him with my binoculars, he left his perch and began flying directly at me. We were eye to eye when he swooped up at the last minute to avoid me. He was about the size of a red-tailed hawk. Next, there was a snake swimming across my path with his head raised about an inch above the water. Upon my approach, the snake dove under the surface and disappeared. I think it is fair to say that these animals aren't used to being disturbed by humans and they are thriving in their isolated haven.
Soon, I was re-entering the river's quick flow and finding more and more trash. In front of the portals of the Stone Bridge there was this collection of flotsam...

After collecting it, I headed to my takeout location at Little Farms Road where my day's catch posed for this photo...

My count for the day was 68 pieces of trash. Of these 54 were recyclable (21 redeemable) and 14 were misc. rubbish such as styrofoam, etc. My YTD total stands at 2638
Earlier, on my way to Little Farms, I saw this fellow who appeared to be heading towards a well deserved redemption...

Assabet River - Ice House Landing to Gleasondale

As I headed upstream on the Assabet River today, I couldn't help but wonder why this section was not designated as "Wild & Scenic". It is a beautiful stretch of river and I allowed myself to be hynotized by it today.
Earlier, when I wheeled my boat to the landing I passed this granite post bearing words that proved prophetic...

I had only covered a short distance when I encountered this man-bird preparing to return to earth...

Also demonstrating some pretty good flying skill was this osprey...



Staying out of the sky today, understandably, was this family of mute swans...

Other avian performers seen today were red-winged blackbirds, eastern kingbirds, tree swallows, a belted kingfisher, goldfinches, and a few ducks.

In addition to patrolling for trash, another objective of today's trip was to find the location where the B & M Railroad's Marlboro Branch crossed the river before reaching Gleasondale. Between Ice House Landing and Gleasondale there were two river crossings. The one near Boon Pond outlet is very obvious but I had yet to see the location closer to Gleasondale. I found it to be about a half mile downstream of the Route 62 bridge and took this photo showing the remains of one abutment...

And another photo looking down the old railroad grade towards the village...

This view was hidden behind a small island and required entering a backwater to see.

Just before reaching Gleasondale, I ran into most of today's trash in this snag...

It coughed up 9 nip bottles along with 6 of the more conventional sized and a few coffee cups as well.
The snag was located just a short distance below the Route 62 bridge. The river above the bridge had plenty of fast flowing water today and after snapping this photo from under the bridge, I turned around and began my trip downriver...

The trip back to Ice House Landing was fast and smooth and upon reaching the landing my trash haul posed for a quick photo...

My total for the day was 34 pieces of trash. Of these, 22 were recyclable (3 redeemable) and 12 were misc. rubbish such as spray cans, bubblewrap, styrofoam etc. My YTD total stands at 2570.

Sudbury River - South Bridge to Weir Hill and Back

The morning after the Fourth of July can usually be counted on to be quiet and serene and this morning proved to be just that. I launched onto the Sudbury River before 5 am and paddled upriver, reaching Fairhaven Bay in time to watch the sun rise above the pines into a cloudless sky.. Brooke Island benefits from its location opposite a low spot on the eastern horizon and sees the sun a little sooner...

After having had the bay all to myself I headed further upriver and encountered a fisheman in a powerboat making the transition from engine to electric trolling motor. Beyond Lee's Bridge, water could be heard (but not seen) spilling out of Farrar Pond and into the river. Contributions from recent rainstorms have brought about springtime water levels. Where Pantry Brook enters the river the water didn't have too far to fall...
Looking to the brook's right I noticed two different types of herons in the same dead tree. Perched near the top of the tree was a small yellow-legged heron, perhaps a green heron, while a blue heron is perched to the lower right...

This is where a telephoto lens would come in handy.
At Weir Hill, the rounded-up refuse was allowed to bask briefly in the sun before being sent below deck...

The count for the day was 25 pieces of trash. Of these, 13 were recyclable (9 redeemable) and 12 were misc. rubbish such as bait tubs, plastic bags etc. My YTD total stands at 2536.
On the trip downriver, Lee's Bridge also basked in the early morning sunlight...

Only the larger of the two portals was passable today.

Assabet River - Ice House Landing to Boon Outlet

When I launched my kayak onto the Assabet River late this morning, little did I know that I wouldn't be returning to Ice House Landing by water. The weather forecast I heard before going to work mentioned thunderstorms staying to the west of Worcester. So, in a cool drizzle I began paddling upriver with hopes of making it to Gleasondale.
At the White Pond Road bridge, I encountered a small powerboat with two U.S. Fish & Wildlife employees and just upstream from the bridge, a very vocal and recently fledged hawk was letting his parents know that he was hungry. He stayed fairly close to the large nest where he'd been born in a tall white pine tree.
Trash was very light with only a few empty beer cans and a red pillow. After passing under Sudbury Road in Stow, I heard a far-off rumble of thunder and just before reaching the outlet from Lake Boon, a second rumble convinced me that turning back would be prudent. Though I was making pretty good time going downriver, the thunderstorm was moving even faster and, near the small private airfield in Stow, a flash of lightning signaled that it was time to get off the water pronto! Once ashore, I waited 35 minutes for the storm to pass, but it didn't seem to be going anywhere. Fortunately, I had used my portage wheels when getting my boat to the launch site earlier and had stowed them below deck.
It was equally fortunate that the Assabet River Rail Trail runs parallel to the river, so the last mile or so to Ice House Landing was completed by towing my boat along the dirt roadbed. At the White Pond Road bridge, I stopped near the entrance to the Assabet River National Wildlife Refuge. This large area of land used to be known as Ordway and was a government ordnance (ammunition) depot.
My trash count for the day was 9 from the river and 3 from the rail trail. Of these, 9 were recyclable (5 redeemable) and 3 were misc. rubbish. Here they are resting up on the royal pillow...

My YTD total stands at 2511.