Paddling Schedule

Herrick’s Cove offers a pleasant day of paddling through extraordinary marshes, favorite areas for bird watchers, especially during spring and fall migrations. Expected sightings are muskrat, beaver, kingfisher, osprey, and songbirds filling the alder, dogwood and willow trees. If time permits, we may also explore Meany’s and Albee’s Coves, downstream. We’ll meet at 9:30am in Hannaford’s parking lot, Putney Rd, to car and boat pool. Paddlers coming from the north are welcome to meet us at the Herrick’s Cove ramp/picnic area (off Rte 5, near Exit 6, I-91) at 10:30am. CT river water will still be COLD; dress accordingly. (What to bring.)

　

The Quiet Water guidebook calls this a “real gem in southern Vermont.” We’ve visited here many times before, and are looking forward to spending quiet time in this secluded spot. Lowell Lake State Park includes most of the shoreline and several islands. This is a shallow, productive body of water, surrounded by tall hills and trees, with a great variety of surface, sub-surface and shoreline vegetation and bird life. Huge “beaver lodges” and bald eagle sightings are the norm. The water will still be very cold; dress accordingly. We’ll meet at the West Townshend Common, Rte 30, at 10am. (What to bring.)

　

This will be our first trip to Hubbard Pond, called a “hidden treasure” in the Quiet Water guidebook. The pond is surrounded on three sides by Annett State Forest and is said to be perfect for spring wildlife viewing (and fall foliage). We hope to see painted turtles, ducks, wading birds, beavers, otters and osprey. Meeting time is 10am, at the NEW Wal-Mart, in Hinsdale, NH. We will car/boat pool as much as possible. The water will still be very COLD; dress accordingly. (What to bring.)

　

Meet at 10am in the NEW Wal-Mart parking lot (Rte 119 in Hinsdale, NH). We will be putting in at a new launch site, for a peaceful paddle and picnic lunch off the main river, in the marshes. This often overlooked wildlife area is home to spring birds, big fish and white swans. Be sure to bring something warm to drink. We were snowed-out on this trip in 2002, but it’s usually warm and beautiful. (What to bring.)

　

Saturday, May 12 – Annual Canoe and Kayak SALE & SWAP (also rowboats, small sailboats and rowing shells) at The Outlet Center, 580 Canal St. Brattleboro. Boats will be accepted for the Sale/Swap, starting Friday, May 11, at NOON to 2pm and 5 to 7 pm, and Saturday, May 12 9 to 11:30am. For more information, call Larry, (802)254-3666 or email Lmacyak@yahoo.com.

　

Back by popular demand, “Hidden in the southwestern part of New Hampshire, protected by an Audubon Society preserve, Willard Pond is simply breathtaking,” quotes the Quiet Water guidebook. We were rained-out on this trip last year, so we’ll try it again. This was last paddled in 2007. If time permits, we may also paddle Nubanusit Lake and Spoonwood Pond, just down the road. We’ll meet in the Hannaford’s parking lot, Putney Rd, at 9:30am. Paddlers coming from NH may meet us at the pond around 11am. Be sure to bring something warm to drink and dress for the cool water. (What to bring.)

　

We did this as a day trip back in 2004, and it’s time to bring back the fun. Normally we paddle this stretch as Day 1 of a 2-day paddle & camp trip, using Wilgus State Park as our overnight site. Plenty of fun and fast water, but nothing an alert flatwater paddler can’t handle. We’ll launch BELOW the falls. Mt Ascutney will dominate the vista downriver, with many islands and beaches to explore. Past sightings have included: wild horses, bald eagles, beaver, muskrat, huge turtles, skinnydippers and strange stone structures (say that fast three times!). We’ll lunch at a special spot, known only to past paddlers of this trip. Meet at the take-out on Rte 12A in NH, just north of the Windsor/Cornish Bridge at 9:30am. We will car/boat pool to the put-in, in Hartland, VT. Bring whatever you need to make a picnic more fun and/or relaxing. (What to bring.)

　

Saturday, June 16 – Tully Lake and Long Pond, Royalston, MA

These two beautiful bodies of water are connected by a mile and a half long, navigable stream, and surrounded by a protected greenway, with hiking trails, waterfalls and vistas. Most of the trip will be away from any road. Moose and bear are often seen in the area (although I haven’t seen either, yet). We had to deal with rain last year, and the turn-out was low, so we’re going to try it again. We’ll meet in the NEW Wal-Mart parking lot, on Rte 119, in Hinsdale, NH at 9am. (What to bring.)

　

We’ll meet in the Putney Inn parking lot, Exit 4, I-91 northbound, at 10am, and convoy down to the put-in at the Dummerston Fish and Wildlife ramp where there’s much more parking. This will be a voyage of discovery. In years past, and pre-Irene, there were many sandbars and beaches along the VT shore, above Putney. We’ll paddle up along the VT side for a few miles until we find a good spot for lunch, sunning & swimming. Bring lots of sun and bug ‘stuff’ and plenty of water. (What to bring.)

　

We last visited Lake Champlain in 2004; it’s time to paddle with ‘Champee’ again (not that we saw her/him/it the first time…but we looked). This is a RESERVATION ONLY trip. Priority to BOC members; membership information is available on the BOC website www.brattleborooutingclub.org. There will be a fee for camping, based on the number of campers, but no cost for paddling. Canoes and kayaks can be rented at the campground, if available, or reserved ahead of time. BOC camping space is limited. Register by e-mail NLT June 9^th at Lmacyak@yahoo.com. More information will be sent to registered campers. A special ‘What to bring’ list will be available.

　

Meet at the Westmoreland General Store, Rte 63, at 10am, or at the Bellows Falls canoe launch, Rte 12, on the NH side of the river, just below the dam, at 11am. We’ll catch the morning water release and paddle downstream with a good current, passing Hubbard Farms Wildlife Management Area (WMA), Westminster Station, Green Island WMA, Boggy Meadows, and the confluence of many rivers, streams and brooks. We’ll take out on the NH shore. Having burned a lot of calories, we’ll make a stop at Burdick’s Chocolates, in Walpole, as we shuttle cars and boats! Bring plenty of water (What to bring.)

　

This is our famous sunrise ‘paddle and nosh’ trip. Irene cancelled this trip also last year . We meet at 6am at the Chelsea Royal Diner, (Rte 9, West Brattleboro), or 6:30am at the VIP Coffee Shop in Wilmington (Jct Rtes 9 and 100S). We’ll enjoy a potluck breakfast on a warm, sunny, secluded beach, before the motorboat crowd wakes up. Bring light breakfast snacks to share; OJ will be provided. Also bring whatever makes a picnic breakfast more enjoyable, including something warm to drink. We should be off the water by noon.  (What to bring.)

FYI: Sunday, September 23 – 4^th Annual CT River Paddle Battle/Canoe & Kayak Race; Herrick’s Cove, Rockingham, VT. Benefit for the Bellows Falls Rotary Club Scholarship Fund. For more information www.ctrpaddlebattle.com. This is NOT a BOC event.

Saturday, September 29….16th Annual CT River Source to Sea Clean-Up   Contact CT River Watershed Council for details: www.ctriver.org

　

Come with us on an all-day fall foliage paddle trip, on a wonderful out-of-the-way, protected body of water, at a special time of the year. We hope to see loons and migrating waterfowl, feel the crisp late season air and witness spectacular fall colors, on this favorite outing. Bald eagles have put on quite a show for us over the past few years. Bring snacks, lunch, and something warm to drink. This may be the last swim of the summer. We meet at 9am at the VIP Coffee Shop in Wilmington (Jct of Rtes 9 and 100S), or at the ‘CARRY-IN’ lot at Sommerset. (What to bring.)