Connecticut River Trip

August 15-20, 2005

Crew - Jean, Pat, Jimbo, Rich, Scott, and Terry

(Journal Recorded by Scott)

Monday, August 15th
Wisdom may be dawning on us in our old age, starting our trip in a leisurely fashion. Jean, Jimbo, Rich, and I drove up to Lake Francis State Park today. On the way we dropped Rich's car at our proposed takeout, at Dalton. His car was secure at a nearby farmhouse. We now are camped in comfort and style awaiting the arrival of Terry and Pat, not particularly caring what time they get here as we can eat supper without them. In the morning we will head south in the cars looking for enough water in the river to launch and officially "begin" our trip.

Tuesday, August 16th, 5:20 PM
We are relaxing in a well shaded but open campsite on the Vermont shore about 1 or 2 miles south of Colebrook, NH. A brief shower just passed through but we had our dining tarp and tents already up. Rich is busy preparing supper, a mix of carrots, zucchini and yellow squash, spaghetti, herb sauce, and chicken, a tasty sounding dish.

Putting up the tarp suspension rope was a circus as Terry and Rich alternated throws trying to get the rope over the "right" tree limb. We are easily entertained!

The river was too shallow above Canaan Dam so we put in below it and made about 12 miles today. As someone said as we reconnoitered the river by car, the Connecticut is so shallow that the bottom is sticking up through the top. At least here we had enough water to float our canoes. As usual the wind blew straight up the river to show us which way to paddle. Now that we are off the river the wind has died, of course.

Terry is laughing so hard at Rich's cooking efforts that Terry almost became sick. Rich has no concept of quantity. (Remember his giant jar of peanut butter?) His pot is overflowing with just veggies so he has decided to eliminate the pasta.

The only disadvantage to this site is the presence of a million mosquitoes. I am ending my journaling to go put on more clothes for protection.

Thursday, August 18th, 8:00 PM
Yesterday we paddled through uncounted shallow rapids, walked short distances several times, and finally camped a little over a mile south of the N. Stratford Bridge. We pulled off the river late, separated from Jim and Rich who had gone the other side of a very long island. Unfortunately they failed to recognize the terminus of the island and continued downriver while the rest of us, slightly slower, discovered this campsite just beyond the end of the island. Rich and Jim, after much silent long distance "arguing", had to paddle and wade back upriver against a stiff current to rejoin us. To say the least they were not "happy campers". Hopefully we have all learned to work harder at staying together, especially at camp-finding time.

Terry served us a huge supper of cream of broccoli, cheese, and rice soup, salad, beef stroganoff, and peas in butter sauce. We finished as darkness fell and a huge full moon lit up the landscape.

It was a cold, clear night, great for sleeping. Of course, securing the bear bag rope in the dark provided entertainment before we turned in.

Today (Thursday) was our third day of comfortable 70's weather with a light wind in our faces. Who can complain?

The river today meandered more with higher, sandier banks alternately carved out one way, then another. Bank swallow holes dotted the banks, a few blue herons were spooked, we spotted two bald eagles (one quite close), and an osprey family in its nest. Yesterday several osprey soared over us. This is good birding country.

Tonight Pat graced us with salad and jambalaya. We are waiting for a cake to finish baking, watching Venus down near the horizon, and relaxing after a good day of paddling.

Saturday, August 20th, 8:00 AM
We have finished breakfast, packed up, and are relaxing as we wait for Rich's return with his car. We were unable to find a decent camping spot last night so we ended up paddling to a commercial campground at Lancaster. The river had slowed, deepened, and flowed between high muddy banks, hardly conducive to camping.

This campground does have its rewards: beer, icecream, picnic tables, flush toilets, and hot showers. We even found an amicable neighbor who volunteered to drive Rich to his car over 10 miles south. Since it has sprinkled once and continues to threaten rain we took the friendly man up on his offer. When Rich returns we will retrieve the other two vehicles, then decide whether or not to paddle some this afternoon.

Yesterday Jimbo paddled most of the day with Pat, Rich with Jean, and Terry with me. Changing partners daily has proven to be good for all of us. It even elicited a bit of humor when Jimbo, late in the afternoon, announced to me that he "quit"! Of course I laughed and asked what was he going to do, hitch a ride? The idiot was me, though, as Jimbo simply meant that he couldn't steer anymore and wanted to move to the bow of some canoe.

Yesterday our wildlife sightings included a bear, a first on these trips. It was a small bear that appeared to be down by the river taking a drink. Unfortunately he spooked at our approach but not before we all had a good look at him and photographed him.

Jean served us her famous quinoa, chicken, onion, and peppers last night. Too bad we will miss Jimbo's kielbasa, kraut, and pierogis. Perhaps we will eat them for lunch before we hit the road for home. By tonight we may all be tucked in with our spouses again.

This has been a river of many moods, showing us a different face every day: shallow and rocky, swift and winding, twisting through high sandy banks (glacial till), sand bars at every turn, and deep and slow through high muddy banks. Always Vermont and New Hampshire provided us with their beautiful mountains as a backdrop. The weather was near-perfect until today. The days have been mild and sunny and the nights comfortably cool to cold, great for sleeping. The company has been stimulating. What else could one want? No wonder we come back together to paddle year after year.

Copyright © 2005 Scott Clark