A Quck Overnight on the Local River

[dougd]

I'm slowly getting back into paddling after the back surgery. I asked my good friend if he would babysit me for the first overnight on the Merrimack River and he was all in. So last Friday evening we hooked up for the shuttle for a mere five mile paddle with a campsite on a sandbar in the mix. Worked out great. I brought my MR Malecite which I love. Fast, sleek and holds a load. We got to the sandbar we had picked out sans any wood but within a half an hour we had enough for the night but also the morning. It was good to get in a canoe again to see how I would do as we had a four mile paddle out in the morning. I've been using the Rob Roy for upstream and back workouts, only a few times so far.

We got us a good fire going and spent the night shooting the breeze about upcoming trips and just hanging out on a great weather night. The morning was just as good. Usually this river is a fog filled affair but on this morning it stuck to just the river and as the sun rose and hit the water the fog was doing crazy things. Was nice to sit there with a cup of Joe and watch it all. I know it will be a good year before I can do a big river trip but ya gotta start somewhere. Here's a few pictures.

 

[Robin]

That looks like it was a good idea. Was this the sand bar where the NPMB vous was held years ago. That river sure is nice, good for you getting out so quickly.

 

[Odyssey]

Bonfire on the sandbar. Looks perfect. An easy does it overnighter to move the recuperation along. Best wishes for the recovery.
Your river trip reminded me of my own recent easy river trip, although my brother and I didn't camp overnight. That would've been cool. We spent a leisurely country drive dropping off the first shuttle vehicle, and when we both stood on the banks of the river simultaneously said to one another "Holy @*#%! That was a long drive! We can't paddle that!!" So we climbed back into our cars and shortened the shuttle. A wonderful afternoon out on the water, passing ducks, geese, herons and bank swallows. The gravel bars and shallows thrown up after a recent storm (with tornado) made the swift descent slaloming the obstructions feel more adventurous than it really was. Had we run aground we could've just gotten out and walked. Still, the deep cool depths out in the full flow pulled us onwards. And I'm sure like you the end of the trip was too soon coming, but felt just about right.
Thanks for the trip Doug.

 

[dougd]

Robin, We were about 3 miles upstream of where we had the Vous. That's a nice site as well and where I turn around when paddling the Rob Roy.

 

[snapper]

Doug - Nice photos and wonderful to hear that your able to be up and out again. If you don't mind....would you be willing to share the section of river you were on? I'd like to do something easy with my grandsons and this looks like it might be just the ticket. They live outside Boston so it wouldn't be as far (at least I don't think it would be) for them as driving to the Adirondacks.

That's all for now. Take care and until next time....be well.

snapper

 

[dougd]

Snapper, It is the 5 mile section starting at the Jamie Welsh Park/Boscawen Town Park going down to the takeout at the confluence of the Contoocook River. I can shoot you a PM with more details if you need them. Also, I can help you out with shuttle if that would help.

dougd

 

[lowangle al]

There's nothing wrong with short and easy. The early morning fog on the water is just as enjoyable as on a hard trip. Good luck with the rehab from the surgery Doug.

I may get to do that trip. I have a B.I.L. in Boscowan who owes me a short easy one nighter from the one I took him on.

 

[snapper]

Doug - Thanks so much. I replied to your PM so we should be set for now.

That's all for the moment. Take care and until next time....be well.

snapper

 

[boatstall]

Doug, glad you have recovered enough to start getting back on the water. I can only imagine after surgery, how many times you thought of sitting by a fire on a river. That fire must have warmed the soul as much as the coffee warmed the body.

 

[Bob B.]

Wow, trip looked awesome! Reminds me of canoe camping on the Wisconsin and Mississippi Rivers ... shinning times! I hope your back continues to improve, beautiful pictures. Coffee, Canoes, beautiful views ... sounds like you had a blast man. Good on ya!

Bob

 

[Guest]

Doug, I am jealous that you have a river like the Merrimack, with convenient length stretches for an overnight trip and free sandbar camping, in your figurative backyard.

Would that twer; quicky overnighters would be much more in play.

 

[sweeper]

That's a great stretch of the river. I've had lunch on that bar many times but never spent the night. I've paddled down to Hannah Dustin with large parties that have. Jamie was my cousin.

 

[dougd]

I ran the park program down there for 8 years and have launched out of there for over 20 years. Never knew the history of the park outside of it being the town's ball/tennis/soccer fields. No one seemed to know why it was named after your cousin. They have paved part of the parking area which is nice.

 

[yellowcanoe]

Nice that you got out.. Almost makes me want to do an overnight on the Saco in July! Anyone want to?

 

[Abenakiregion]

Nice that you got out.. Almost makes me want to do an overnight on the Saco in July! Anyone want to?

You might want to rethink the time frame.