Looking back on 2024 and what’s ahead for 2025

[snapper]

With running a small B&B and working at a local museum, I've "failed" retirement (according to my friends) so this past year saw no overnight trips. Luckily for me, I live within 3, 6 or 9 miles of an access point on the Susquehanna River. I found that getting out early in the morning before work was the best option for me. I also spent some of that time on Otsego Lake, where the river begins, getting in some fishing before heading back into the 19th century at my day job.

As for this upcoming year, I do plan on getting out for at least one overnight trip. I've seen in previous posts thoughts on the Connecticut River. That's a place I've spent some time but not a lot. I've only paddled from the Cornish-Windsor covered bridge down to Springfield, VT; and that was all in one day due to time & weather constraints. I'd love to hear suggestions on the upstream sections. I'm not a whitewater paddler and my solo canoe is a Hemlock "Peregrine" so rocky situations could be an issue but hey, have at it with your ideas. Thanks!

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

snapper

 

[eckilson]

I've seen in previous posts thoughts on the Connecticut River. That's a place I've spent some time but not a lot. I've only paddled from the Cornish-Windsor covered bridge down to Springfield, VT; and that was all in one day due to time & weather constraints. I'd love to hear suggestions on the upstream sections. I'm not a whitewater paddler and my solo canoe is a Hemlock "Peregrine" so rocky situations could be an issue but hey, have at it with your ideas. Thanks!

The Connecticut River Paddlers Trail website is great resource. There is an interactive map, a listing of campsites, access points and portages and even some recommended trips. I have done from Canaan down to White River Junction, and the only rocks/quickwater/rapids I remember were between Canaan and Bloomfield. Below Bloomfield and it was pretty much flatwater running through cornfields. There are plenty of campsites in that upper section to put together an easy 2-3 night trip. Maybe someone else can speak to the river below White River junction.

 

[clemency]

The Connecticut River Paddlers Trail website is great resource. There is an interactive map, a listing of campsites, access points and portages and even some recommended trips. I have done from Canaan down to White River Junction, and the only rocks/quickwater/rapids I remember were between Canaan and Bloomfield. Below Bloomfield and it was pretty much flatwater running through cornfields. There are plenty of campsites in that upper section to put together an easy 2-3 night trip. Maybe someone else can speak to the river below White River junction.

Below Wilder dam can be pretty bony, depending on flow rates. Above Wilder dam is effectively a lake. Flow rates at Wilder are here: http://www.h2oline.com/srcs/505121.html. Currently at 5k, which means scraping over shoals or hopping out of the boat at multiple locations downstream. I don't take my U/L boat down there. The only portage below Wilder and on down to the MA line that isn't dam related is Sumner Falls.

I live near Wilder, and can provide probably provide support/shuttle if needed, and scheduling dependent.

 

[snapper]

@eckilson - I found your "Open Boat, Moving Water" blog so will check that out for some of your past trip reports. I bookmarked that page a long time ago when I first became interested in paddling the Connecticut. I did join the Connecticut River Paddler's Trail at the time but the site was so inactive, and inaccurate, it didn't seem worth continuing. Guess I'll have to look into it again. Times change so hopefully it's better now.

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

snapper

 

[lowangle al]

I got in 131 days in 2024. All day trips, almost all solo, all out-n-back, but I got into a few new-to-me rivers. I really like what I've been paddling in western Rhode Island, it's worth the drive.

That's a lot of paddling days Scott. Do you leave a boat on your vehicle for the season?

 

[ScottS]

That's a lot of paddling days Scott. Do you leave a boat on your vehicle for the season?

The season here in southern CT is 12 months long. So, I do put it away.... but it it is definitely scratchier than most.

 

[ErktheRed]

This past year I got out for two overnight trips, one week long and the other 3 nights. I’m lucky to live so close to a few big and small bodies of water, so I usually will get out before work or on days off. So several times a month

I got a phone call early last year from my oncologist with surprisingly worse news than I expected. For the last almost 4 months I’ve been in the hospital recovering from a bone marrow transplant. I lost a ton of weight, & all my strength, cancer treatment is a SOB. Today I was told that paddling might not happen for me this year, but could just be starting mid/late summer. Five days ago I picked up a new paddle I ordered, guess she’ll still be shiny and new when I can go. I also received my Wabakimi map today, so 2025 is focused on strength building and map nerding.

As soon as I get the green light, good luck getting me out of my canoe and kayak! We have a couple of islands around that are fun to paddle to or around, I’ll push to circumnavigate one of those. The wife really wants to trip the Yukon, so we’ll have to wrestle for Wabakimi or Yukon.

I hope that 2025 is really good to everyone on here and you all get so see some amazing places or just feel good to get out

 

[snapper]

@ErktheRed - Good luck in the year ahead with your health & healing. I wish you all the best in getting back into your canoe when the time is right.

Until next time...be well.

snapper

 

[ErktheRed]

@snapper Thank You! My healing is off to a good start for 2025! I’ll have to live 2020 Covid and germaphobe rules for a bit but that’s not all that bad. I’ll survive

 

[riverstrider]

2024 was one big blur to me. Work responsibilities last year really chewed me up and spit me out on a frequent basis, and so far 2025 looks to be more of the same. It has been, and will continue to be, tough for me to get away for any extended time without wifi so I can stay in touch with what is going on at work. This past year has been the first one where I legit worried for my physical and mental health.

Despite that sad story, I have managed to get out for two local Rhode Island overnights (one just recently on a raw, rainy pre-New Years overnight with eckilson) and a brief three-night loop trip in the Adirondacks. I also had a 4 night car-camping & day-tripping trip in the Sebago region of ME in May, and a similar car-camping trip to the Adirondacks in September. And a good number of day-paddling trips.

I hope I'm lucky enough to keep up at least that sort of paddling schedule in 2025, but again work is making it very difficult to make solid plans. The only solid trip I have on the calendar right now is another week-long trip to the Adirondacks in August, and only because it is a club trip that I coordinate. I have no choice, lol! I'd like to finish up the last two segments of the NFCT that I have yet to complete (Nulhegan River in VT and the Brassau Lakes in ME) but we'll see. And I hope to continue my current streak of paddling at least once a month for as many consecutive months as I can. I'm closing in on 60 months if I can make it through March. January could be tough this year. Fingers crossed!

And best wishes for recovery of your own health issues, @ErktheRed .

-rs