Cochituate Waters

With most local rivers running short on water lately, my grandson and I paddled the warm waters of Lake Cochituate this mid-day.  In the photo at left we're passing through the keyhole from Middle Pond into South Pond.  It was nice to see so many folks enjoying a day on or at the water; swimming, fishing or boating...

It was also nice to not encounter any trash!



Mass. Bottle Bill Expansion Up Off the Canvas!

Though the two plastic containers pictured above are identical, one (carbonated) has a redemption value of 5 cents when empty whereas the other (not carbonated) is worthless when empty.  Too many of those containers without a redemption value are ending up in the landfills, incinerators, or the environment.  Numerous polls show that most folks find this situation to be just plain silly and lacking any common "cents".

Thanks to the Massachusetts State Senate's recent approval of a bill which includes a provision for expanding the state's 30 year old bottle redemption program, it's now up to a 6-member legislative committee and Governor Deval Patrick to finally remedy this discrepancy.  Of course Speaker of the House Robert DeLeo will, most likely, play a role in the bill's fate.  I'm hoping he'll take a walk around his neighborhood and look into the nooks and crannies, rivers and streams, curbs and shrubbery, before deciding whether to aim his powerful thumb up or down.    

Around Salem Neck to the North River

My work brought me to Cape Ann this morning and before returning home I couldn't resist getting in a paddle 'round Salem Neck.  After launching at Winter Island Park, I rounded Juniper Point (at left) and Salem Willows before entering the Danvers River along with the last hour of incoming tide.  An east wind was coming in off the open ocean and keeping things on the cool side.  After passing under the Essex Bridge and the commuter rail bridge, I headed towards the North River near Salem Depot.  This side of Salem has a more industrial look and feel.  This spot looked like a commuter's worst nightmare...

There was a fair amount of trash along the sea wall by the depot.

As a result of watching the "Deadliest Catch", I've been working on my crab-catching techniques and brought this monster onboard...

The nicest boat seen today...

The artwork at the bow was worth a closer look...

Once back at Winter Island Park passengers gathered on the stony beach...

There were 20 recyclable containers (9 redeemable) and 30 pieces of miscellaneous rubbish such as nip bottles and plastic bags.  YTD = 4119

Cape Ann Hiatus with Nod to Howard Blackburn

After experiencing last year's Blackburn Challenge without the logistical complications of an automobile, I decided to give it another go and travel to/depart from the event via my boat.  To accomplish this I set up camp at Cape Ann Campsite amidst cedar trees and glacial rock formations overlooking the Jones and Annisquam Rivers...

 
To prevent last year's "sweat lodge" conditions, my tent was equipped with a battery powered fan which is now an essential part of my summertime camping gear.

Camping at this location put me within striking distance of the Gloucester High School where participants gather for check-in.  I launched into the Jones River from the campground's tidal access and began my commute as the day was dawning...

Arriving at Gloucester High School, a wide variety of boats and paddleboards were undergoing last minute preparations.  This 6-man Hawaiian outrigger canoe had a most distinctive "ama"...

Soon the event that celebrates the legendary accomplishments of Gloucester's Howard Blackburn was underway and more than 300 rowers and paddlers began the approximately 20 mile journey 'round Cape Ann.  As luck would have it, clouds sheltered us from what would have been a punishing sun and, once past Thachers Island, a southwest breeze freshened things nicely.
I arrived at the Greasy Pole finish line with a few castaways that hopped aboard, earlier, as I paddled to the start line...

They much enjoyed their scenic ride and so did I.

There was news at the finish line that most likely this was the last year the finish line festivities will be held at Gloucester's Pavillion Beach, as a major hotel will soon occupy the site.  Hopefully, this great event will continue and a new location for the post-event party will be found.  Henry, the only man to have completed all 26 Blackburn Challenges, put it best: "It's a good cardio check.  If you can do the Blackburn, you're probably good for another year."

In the days leading up to the Blackburn, while paddling around the Jones and Annisquam rivers, I came across this ideal houseboat...

and this ideal home for ospreys...

 
many great egrets...

and a modest amount of trash...

There were 10 recyclable containers (5 redeemable) and 12 pieces of misc. rubbish such as plastic bags, and 2 of those ubiquitous disks that escaped from the Hooksett Wastewater Treatment Plant located 40 miles up the Merrimack River.  These disks are a reminder of how water connects us all.  YTD = 4069

The morning after Blackburn sunrise...

Here's to "High Summer" in New England, and a Cape Ann state of mind!

Lower Assabet Getting Lower

This morning found low water levels on the  lower Assabet River as most of  the tributaries such as Spencer Brook (at left) are being downright stingy.

I had launched near daybreak into the lower Sudbury River and found the river shrouded in mist...

Arriving at Egg Rock, the sun was found to be starting another day's work...

After rounding the sandbar at the confluence, I entered the Assabet River and trash patrolled it up to Nashoba Brook before turning around.   Some additional trash was recovered from the lower Sudbury where some shore fishermen had recently left it at their feet.

Here's the combined day's catch...

They were later joined by some plastic fencing encountered near the Leaning Hemlocks...

Final tally for the day was 26 recyclable containers (6 redeemable) and 54 pieces of misc. rubbish such as plastic bags, nip bottles, bait tubs, fishing line, etc.  YTD = 4047

Only 6 days 'til this year's edition of the Blackburn Challenge draws paddlers and rowers to the salty waters of Cape Ann.


Concord River in North Billerica

Picking up where I left off on Monday, my downriver patrol of the Concord River resumed from Contribution Park at Rt. 3A/129 in Billerica near midday.  Similar to Monday there was a breeze out of the north which was a welcome change from yesterday's muggy conditions.  It didn't take long to reach the shady stretch where the river passes through the Fordway Bar...

Families were fishing from the shore above this spot while a lone cormorant was drying his wings below the bar...

After crossing the wider section of the river, where the Middlesex Canal's floating towpath once crossed, I reached the spot where the river drops over the falls...

There's still another 5 miles before the Concord reaches its confluence with the Merrimack in Lowell. However, the final 2 miles are not recommended for canoes or kayaks.

Before turning around and heading back, I snapped this photo of the Talbot Mill bell tower...

Back at Contribution Park my day's catch dried quickly in the sun...

There were 40 recyclable containers (25 redeemable) and 26 pieces of miscellaneous rubbish such as plastic bags and a plastic pail.  YTD = 3967

Most of today's trash was recovered from the riverbank just upstream of the Talbot Mill.

Concord River - Bedford and Billerica

Another early start had me on the Concord River at sunrise.  After launching at the Bedford boat launch at Rt. 225, I headed downriver into the mist rising from the water's surface (photo at left).  A newly expanded family of wood ducks was crossing the river in tight formation...

Eventually the mist burned off and another sunny day was in the making.  A breeze from the north was freshening.

Most of today's trash was in the stretch between Rt. 3 and Rt. 3A/129 where I turned around...

I've recently begun using a plastic milk crate following the lead of Ed the Web Guy's using a laundry basket and it's working out quite well.  Ed's blog is Nashua River Watershed - Kayaking.

On the return trip upriver, the breeze was at my back and a little less freshening.

This blue heron flying towards me needed to gain elevation (while squawking) at the last minute...

The Rt. 3 bridge was looking good near mid-day...

I landed at the Sudbury Valley Trustees' Ralph Hill Conservation Area to properly stow things above and below deck...

This allowed me to pull into Dutch Harbor (er, I mean) Bedford Boat Launch with things looking shipshape...

Today's catch was made up of 130 recyclable containers (54 redeemable) and 98 pieces of misc. rubbish.  Oddly, there wasn't a single nip bottle today.  YTD = 3901

The trash barrel at the Bedford Boat Launch was full and overflowing.  I hope this barrel is emptied periodically by the Bedford DPW...