Jonni
Member
I tried kayaking once, and was happy I tried it, but this college student has no where near the money to afford that bad habit.
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Trailboss' Paddling Reports: Summer 2007 (Now WITH PICS!)
- Thread starter thetrailboss
- Start date
Date: June 10, 2007
2007 Trip Report # : 13
Location: Connecticut River--Wilder, VT/Lebanon, NH
Conditions: Pleasant conditions--smooth water.
Weather: Sunny skies, nice breeze. Highs in the Upper 70's. Water in the 50's.
Report: Back to the River for a Family BBQ. The weather cleared right before we were set to head to the park, which was nice. Originally, my brother was interested in trying out one of the boats, but he changed his mind. So I loaded both boats, figuring at least I would go, and maybe others would want to try it.
We got to the park and unloaded the food and goods. My Dad decided to give my boat a try, which meant that I would get some more time in Ms. TB's boat.
I was a bit nervous at first because my Dad is not a fan of water....a bit of a hydrophobe. We scooted the boat up to a dock and he eased into it. At first he was very scared...because the boat was so low to the water....and then he got used to it. He lost the fear of flipping (impossible in my boat really). We went to one of the points. He caught on fast...commenting that he would love to fish in one. We paddled back to the dock and he got out, all from the trip.
My sister got into my boat next and we paddled down to the other boat loading ramp, which was maybe a half a mile or so. She liked the boat as well, but did not like getting wet from the paddles.
After a nice supper, my Dad was itching to go back out. So we did. Nice smooth water and a great sunset. He was really awe-struck and digged the boating thing.
"I can see how this can be addictive...it is so relaxing."
We paddled around, almost to the Wilder Boat Launch, and then headed back.
So I spent probably 90 minutes or so in Ms. TB's boat. I noticed that her seat was not as supportive, though it did not hurt like before. I also noted that I was able to get a better feel for the boat and a better fit into it. Other than the seat, the two other big differences came in how it handled. First, the bottom is much more keeled than mine. This translates into a much more tipsy feel, but more ability to tilt into turns and to lean into things. Overall, I did not like it as much and noticed that I got stuck once or twice on low rocks, which normally I could ease myself over in the other boat.
Second major difference: the boat sits so much higher in the water than mine. For the first time I got to see how my boat looks from the side. The bow is high, but overall one is much lower to the water. This translates into more stability and more connection to the water IMHO. This higher feeling, combined with the keeled bottom, made it less confident IMHO as a boat. As someone who has been in whitewater kayaks, I know that those are very sensitive and are meant to be rolled easier. So this boat seems more closely related to that breed whereas mine is more of a flat-bottomed boat. Both tracked about the same.
2007 Trip Report # : 13
Location: Connecticut River--Wilder, VT/Lebanon, NH
Conditions: Pleasant conditions--smooth water.
Weather: Sunny skies, nice breeze. Highs in the Upper 70's. Water in the 50's.
Report: Back to the River for a Family BBQ. The weather cleared right before we were set to head to the park, which was nice. Originally, my brother was interested in trying out one of the boats, but he changed his mind. So I loaded both boats, figuring at least I would go, and maybe others would want to try it.
We got to the park and unloaded the food and goods. My Dad decided to give my boat a try, which meant that I would get some more time in Ms. TB's boat.
I was a bit nervous at first because my Dad is not a fan of water....a bit of a hydrophobe. We scooted the boat up to a dock and he eased into it. At first he was very scared...because the boat was so low to the water....and then he got used to it. He lost the fear of flipping (impossible in my boat really).
We went to one of the points. He caught on fast...commenting that he would love to fish in one. We paddled back to the dock and he got out, all from the trip. My sister got into my boat next and we paddled down to the other boat loading ramp, which was maybe a half a mile or so. She liked the boat as well, but did not like getting wet from the paddles.
After a nice supper, my Dad was itching to go back out. So we did. Nice smooth water and a great sunset. He was really awe-struck and digged the boating thing.
"I can see how this can be addictive...it is so relaxing."
We paddled around, almost to the Wilder Boat Launch, and then headed back.
So I spent probably 90 minutes or so in Ms. TB's boat. I noticed that her seat was not as supportive, though it did not hurt like before. I also noted that I was able to get a better feel for the boat and a better fit into it. Other than the seat, the two other big differences came in how it handled. First, the bottom is much more keeled than mine. This translates into a much more tipsy feel, but more ability to tilt into turns and to lean into things. Overall, I did not like it as much and noticed that I got stuck once or twice on low rocks, which normally I could ease myself over in the other boat.
Second major difference: the boat sits so much higher in the water than mine. For the first time I got to see how my boat looks from the side. The bow is high, but overall one is much lower to the water. This translates into more stability and more connection to the water IMHO. This higher feeling, combined with the keeled bottom, made it less confident IMHO as a boat. As someone who has been in whitewater kayaks, I know that those are very sensitive and are meant to be rolled easier. So this boat seems more closely related to that breed whereas mine is more of a flat-bottomed boat. Both tracked about the same.
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Date: June 12, 2007
2007 Trip Report # : 14
Location: White River--From Hartford Village Park to CT River and back.
Conditions: Variable river conditions. Some minor rapids, swift flat water.
Weather: Nice sunset, but in my face 8) . Highs in the Upper 60's. Water in the 50's.
Report: Decided on a whim to go boating since Ms. TB was in DC for the week. On way home from work, I scoped out the water levels of the White. It was a bit low, but doable. Figured I had nothing to lose.
Got to the park at about 6:30. Was one of a handful of folks down there enjoying the evening. Put in and paddled maybe .25 miles upstream to a set of minor rapids, just below the VA Cutoff Bridge. The current was stiff, but I had enough power to get through it OK. After paddling upstream, I found a nice set I wanted to play in, so I launched myself out into them. Forgot how much fun that is. Did it once more and then rode the current all the way down to the Connecticut River.
The water is surprisingly clear and shallow...never more than waist deep. Relatively clean, except for the laptop computer that I pulled out of the bottom. No fish.
The paddle upstream was slow, and at times tough with that sun in my eyes. I think that this is a better river to go downstream....even though it is pretty flat, that water really moves!
Not too scenic at this point...the trees sheltered the river from the roads and downtown WRJ, but it is still "downtown WRJ."
2007 Trip Report # : 14
Location: White River--From Hartford Village Park to CT River and back.
Conditions: Variable river conditions. Some minor rapids, swift flat water.
Weather: Nice sunset, but in my face 8) . Highs in the Upper 60's. Water in the 50's.
Report: Decided on a whim to go boating since Ms. TB was in DC for the week. On way home from work, I scoped out the water levels of the White. It was a bit low, but doable. Figured I had nothing to lose.
Got to the park at about 6:30. Was one of a handful of folks down there enjoying the evening. Put in and paddled maybe .25 miles upstream to a set of minor rapids, just below the VA Cutoff Bridge. The current was stiff, but I had enough power to get through it OK. After paddling upstream, I found a nice set I wanted to play in, so I launched myself out into them. Forgot how much fun that is.
Did it once more and then rode the current all the way down to the Connecticut River. The water is surprisingly clear and shallow...never more than waist deep. Relatively clean, except for the laptop computer that I pulled out of the bottom. No fish.
The paddle upstream was slow, and at times tough with that sun in my eyes. I think that this is a better river to go downstream....even though it is pretty flat, that water really moves!
Not too scenic at this point...the trees sheltered the river from the roads and downtown WRJ, but it is still "downtown WRJ."
Date: June 16, 2007
2007 Trip Report # : 15
Location: Connecticut River--Ledyard Canoe Club north and back. Second trip to Waterfall and back.
Conditions: Flat water giving way to some waves. Water had warmed quite a bit. Good crowds on the water.
Weather: Sun and clouds, heavy rain and T-storm rolling through. Highs in the upper 70's.
Report: For my Birthday weekend, the plan was to do some time on the water. We decided to head to Ledyard and rent another boat for my friend. We got the last one. Nice place....very old school and vintage place. We launched at about 2:30 or so and were out for two hours.
We headed north on the River.....headed up about two miles or so....at which time we decided to turn around. The plan was to head to the waterfall south of Ledyard Bridge and then to return to the Boathouse. About half way back we were overtaken by rainshowers and then pouring rain. Like everyone else, we clung to the sides of the river underneath the trees as the rain slowly passed. It let up enough to head back to the Canoe Club. About 75 yards from the Club, we heard thunder overhead....just in time for us to pull out. Ms. TB was done, so we returned her boat, but M and I waited for it to pass. It did, after a little while, and we headed down to the Waterfall.
The water was a bit lower...not as interesting as last week.
On my way back to the archway, my phone rang. Ms. TB said she was hearing thunder and the skies were black. In fact, the skies over Lebanon were very black. Ms. TB said she saw more storms were coming...and that she wanted to pick us up, so we headed back to the Canoe Club and pulled out.
A nice afternoon, did not have to get out of the boat for my swim....since it rained.
A nice pic:
The gallery.
2007 Trip Report # : 15
Location: Connecticut River--Ledyard Canoe Club north and back. Second trip to Waterfall and back.
Conditions: Flat water giving way to some waves. Water had warmed quite a bit. Good crowds on the water.
Weather: Sun and clouds, heavy rain and T-storm rolling through. Highs in the upper 70's.
Report: For my Birthday weekend, the plan was to do some time on the water. We decided to head to Ledyard and rent another boat for my friend. We got the last one. Nice place....very old school and vintage place. We launched at about 2:30 or so and were out for two hours.
We headed north on the River.....headed up about two miles or so....at which time we decided to turn around. The plan was to head to the waterfall south of Ledyard Bridge and then to return to the Boathouse. About half way back we were overtaken by rainshowers and then pouring rain. Like everyone else, we clung to the sides of the river underneath the trees as the rain slowly passed. It let up enough to head back to the Canoe Club. About 75 yards from the Club, we heard thunder overhead....just in time for us to pull out. Ms. TB was done, so we returned her boat, but M and I waited for it to pass. It did, after a little while, and we headed down to the Waterfall.
The water was a bit lower...not as interesting as last week.
On my way back to the archway, my phone rang. Ms. TB said she was hearing thunder and the skies were black. In fact, the skies over Lebanon were very black. Ms. TB said she saw more storms were coming...and that she wanted to pick us up, so we headed back to the Canoe Club and pulled out.
A nice afternoon, did not have to get out of the boat for my swim....since it rained.
A nice pic:
The gallery.
bigbog
Active member
.......for a ww boat........
Jonni,
Look towards a used ww boat........always tons of relatively cheap boats from guys/women moving on to another boat....
$.01
Steve
Jonni,
Look towards a used ww boat........always tons of relatively cheap boats from guys/women moving on to another boat....
$.01
Steve
Date: June 18, 2007
2007 Trip Report # : 16
Location: Connecticut River--Wilder Boat Launch north to the islands.
Conditions: Flat water.
Weather: Beautiful sunset, cool temps, no bugs.
Report: Went for an evening paddle with Ms. TB. Very enjoyable...smooth water, nice sunset, a handful of folks. All reasons for getting the boats in the first place. It was a nice 1.5 hours....very nice.
2007 Trip Report # : 16
Location: Connecticut River--Wilder Boat Launch north to the islands.
Conditions: Flat water.
Weather: Beautiful sunset, cool temps, no bugs.
Report: Went for an evening paddle with Ms. TB. Very enjoyable...smooth water, nice sunset, a handful of folks. All reasons for getting the boats in the first place. It was a nice 1.5 hours....very nice.
Date: June 22, 2007
2007 Trip Report # : 17
Location: Connecticut River--Wilder boat launch to Islands and back.
Conditions: Flat water with some wake at times.
Weather: Partly cloudy giving way to two rain showers, which we dodged, and then a beautiful sunset. Temps cooling and winds picking up out of the NW.
Report: A nice evening on the water. My buddy Ron came over with his wife's 14 foot Acadia model and we headed out just after 6:30pm. Later than planned, but still good. We got on the water and headed down to check out an old bridge abutment...at least what we thought was one....guess not. As we came up to the river, it began to rain, so we took shelter under the trees on the edge for about 5 minutes. After that, we were in the clear.
Landed on the medium of the three islands. Nice place. Small, but good campsite and nice trees. As we did so, someone cruised by on their kayak and pitched their tent on the main island.
We paddled around the cove and to the DOC Cabin....just in time too. We checked out the cabin as it poured...the door was unlocked. The inside was nice, but we were to see the trash and debris scattered outside. I picked some things up and then we headed back to the boat launch after the showers ended. We enjoyed an amazing sunset...one that made everything around us glow bright orange!
2007 Trip Report # : 17
Location: Connecticut River--Wilder boat launch to Islands and back.
Conditions: Flat water with some wake at times.
Weather: Partly cloudy giving way to two rain showers, which we dodged, and then a beautiful sunset. Temps cooling and winds picking up out of the NW.
Report: A nice evening on the water. My buddy Ron came over with his wife's 14 foot Acadia model and we headed out just after 6:30pm. Later than planned, but still good. We got on the water and headed down to check out an old bridge abutment...at least what we thought was one....guess not. As we came up to the river, it began to rain, so we took shelter under the trees on the edge for about 5 minutes. After that, we were in the clear.
Landed on the medium of the three islands. Nice place. Small, but good campsite and nice trees. As we did so, someone cruised by on their kayak and pitched their tent on the main island.
We paddled around the cove and to the DOC Cabin....just in time too. We checked out the cabin as it poured...the door was unlocked. The inside was nice, but we were
to see the trash and debris scattered outside. I picked some things up and then we headed back to the boat launch after the showers ended. We enjoyed an amazing sunset...one that made everything around us glow bright orange!
Date: June 24, 2007
2007 Trip Report # : 18
Location: Goose Pond, NH
Conditions: Stiff wind made for good wake.
Weather: Nice sunshine giving way to partial cloudy skies. Pleasant, with highs in the 70's.
Report: I was absolutely to see the sun again...for a second straight day! We decided to go to Goose Pond for some paddling....noticed that there were more camps ready and more boats on the water.
After chatting with the lake attendant, we put our boat in at the launch and headed north. The small bay was pretty choppy, especially with the motorboats zooming around. We passed under Wolfeboro Road to head up into the marsh at the north end. The tall weeds
prevented us from going further, so we headed back into the pond.
We decided to head toward the island and then cut back. As we went around the island, we found a couple fisherman and signs warning us to stay clear of the loons....in fact, we saw both resident loons feasting on fish. We thought about paddling around them through the narrow strait, but the loons, from 75 feet away, appeared stressed, probably because of the guy in the nearby motorboat, so we headed back the other way and across the pond, where the waves were pretty big.
We paddled back to the launch area...a nice 2.5 hours out. I did get a minor sunburn, but it was a small price to pay for such a nice day.
2007 Trip Report # : 18
Location: Goose Pond, NH
Conditions: Stiff wind made for good wake.
Weather: Nice sunshine giving way to partial cloudy skies. Pleasant, with highs in the 70's.
Report: I was absolutely
to see the sun again...for a second straight day! We decided to go to Goose Pond for some paddling....noticed that there were more camps ready and more boats on the water.After chatting with the lake attendant, we put our boat in at the launch and headed north. The small bay was pretty choppy, especially with the motorboats zooming around. We passed under Wolfeboro Road to head up into the marsh at the north end. The tall weeds
prevented us from going further, so we headed back into the pond.
We decided to head toward the island and then cut back. As we went around the island, we found a couple fisherman and signs warning us to stay clear of the loons....in fact, we saw both resident loons feasting on fish. We thought about paddling around them through the narrow strait, but the loons, from 75 feet away, appeared stressed, probably because of the guy in the nearby motorboat, so we headed back the other way and across the pond, where the waves were pretty big.
We paddled back to the launch area...a nice 2.5 hours out. I did get a minor sunburn, but it was a small price to pay for such a nice day.
Jonni
Member
Jonni,
Look towards a used ww boat........always tons of relatively cheap boats from guys/women moving on to another boat....
$.01
Steve
Thanks for the advice! I will be keeping an eye and an ear out....
Down where you are, you should find a lot of used boats I would imagine....
MAD777
Member
Re: Trailboss' Paddling Reports
Hey Trailboss, I just discovered this thread. What great pictures. Keep up the great posts!
Hey Trailboss, I just discovered this thread. What great pictures. Keep up the great posts!
Date: June 29, 2007
2007 Trip Report # : 19
Location: Wilder Reservoir/Connecticut River, Wilder, VT
Conditions: Calm.
Weather: A nice evening, bit on the cool side.
Report: We decided to have a nice evening paddle and a BBQ at the river. I got home early to find Ms. TB ready to get out of the house after a long day. The paddling helped her with that pent-up feeling...
We left from the park area and headed north around the islands and up into the bay just below Ledyard. I went around the cove near the mouth of the Mink Brook and then looped around a tuft of cat-tails/river grass that was growing out of the middle of the river :blink: before heading back downstream for the BBQ.
Ms. TB was well ahead of me, so I had some catching up to do, but I did it :wink:
When we got back, it was burgers and good BBQ stuff...and no bugs! :beer:
2007 Trip Report # : 19
Location: Wilder Reservoir/Connecticut River, Wilder, VT
Conditions: Calm.
Weather: A nice evening, bit on the cool side.
Report: We decided to have a nice evening paddle and a BBQ at the river. I got home early to find Ms. TB ready to get out of the house after a long day. The paddling helped her with that pent-up feeling...
We left from the park area and headed north around the islands and up into the bay just below Ledyard. I went around the cove near the mouth of the Mink Brook and then looped around a tuft of cat-tails/river grass that was growing out of the middle of the river :blink: before heading back downstream for the BBQ.
Ms. TB was well ahead of me, so I had some catching up to do, but I did it :wink:
When we got back, it was burgers and good BBQ stuff...and no bugs! :beer:
Damn TB, I have a long way to catch up. ;-)
I'm taking the boat up to Cape Cod this week. I'm going to take a one on one water safety class (wet entry and exit, and some more advanced stuff if we have time). I'm hoping to take that class Thursday so I can hit the bay for a paddle on Friday.
I'm taking the boat up to Cape Cod this week. I'm going to take a one on one water safety class (wet entry and exit, and some more advanced stuff if we have time). I'm hoping to take that class Thursday so I can hit the bay for a paddle on Friday.
Date: June 30, 2007
2007 Trip Report # : 20
Location: Wilder Reservoir/Connecticut River, Wilder, VT; Mink Brook, Hanover, NH
Conditions: Calm.
Weather: A pleasant afternoon.
Report: Went out for a nice four hour paddle. We went up around the islands and then paddled up the Mink Brook all the way to Route 10 in Hanover...which was a good half-mile in or so. Other than the wastewater plant, it was a nice change of pace and it was nice and quiet. From here, we paddled up to Ledyard and then under the Railroad bridge and over to the waterfall by the Montshire. Very small now...thanks to the dry conditions. The cove was a bit shallow...watch out for obstacles. Ms. TB found it nice, but she was ready to head back.
A pleasant afternoon. Some pics:
2007 Trip Report # : 20
Location: Wilder Reservoir/Connecticut River, Wilder, VT; Mink Brook, Hanover, NH
Conditions: Calm.
Weather: A pleasant afternoon.
Report: Went out for a nice four hour paddle. We went up around the islands and then paddled up the Mink Brook all the way to Route 10 in Hanover...which was a good half-mile in or so. Other than the wastewater plant, it was a nice change of pace and it was nice and quiet. From here, we paddled up to Ledyard and then under the Railroad bridge and over to the waterfall by the Montshire. Very small now...thanks to the dry conditions. The cove was a bit shallow...watch out for obstacles. Ms. TB found it nice, but she was ready to head back.
A pleasant afternoon. Some pics:
Nice bow shot. The scenery looks nice and peaceful. Are there many homes along the CT River where you paddle? The pond I paddle on has a number of homes along the shore. The rivers down here are littered with homes. I'm hoping to find some quieter places to paddle in the area.
Only two or three houses along the three-four mile stretch we frequent. Most of the shoreline is owned by the power company. The railroad (very quiet) runs on the VT side. So it is very quiet.
Date: July 4, 2007
2007 Trip Report # : 21
Location: Wilder Reservoir/Connecticut River, Wilder, VT
Conditions: Calm.
Weather: A pleasant morning before rain showers in the PM.
Report: Long overdue write-up, but better late than never. Took a solo trip to the Connecticut River. Ms. TB had other things to do...
Got there at 10:00 or so. The kayakers leaving the launch said it "was amazing." I agreed.
Decided to take a different route than normal. I paddled down around the large bay created by the dam. Went down the VT side, cut across above the dam, and then paddled up the NH side to the park, used the latrine, and came down the VT side. Overall, the bay is not interesting at all. Some driftwood and debris in places. The NH side is shallow and has a lot grasses growing. Some interesting nooks and crannies, but not as interesting as the normal route around the islands.
I was out for 90 minutes. Got back in time for a guy and his dog to greet me. The dog responded by crapping in the river. Lovely. :wink:
A nice morning stroll. Very quiet.
2007 Trip Report # : 21
Location: Wilder Reservoir/Connecticut River, Wilder, VT
Conditions: Calm.
Weather: A pleasant morning before rain showers in the PM.
Report: Long overdue write-up, but better late than never. Took a solo trip to the Connecticut River. Ms. TB had other things to do...
Got there at 10:00 or so. The kayakers leaving the launch said it "was amazing." I agreed.
Decided to take a different route than normal. I paddled down around the large bay created by the dam. Went down the VT side, cut across above the dam, and then paddled up the NH side to the park, used the latrine, and came down the VT side. Overall, the bay is not interesting at all. Some driftwood and debris in places. The NH side is shallow and has a lot grasses growing. Some interesting nooks and crannies, but not as interesting as the normal route around the islands.
I was out for 90 minutes. Got back in time for a guy and his dog to greet me. The dog responded by crapping in the river. Lovely. :wink:
A nice morning stroll. Very quiet.
Oh yeah...you're all going to laugh at this one...decided to "accessorize" by purchasing this to fly on certain occasions (as a joke mind you.... :wink: )
Absolutely! I will have a photo soon...am suffering withdrawal from kayaking....
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