Hunters Rendezvous

I needed to get a new kayak. I reviewed many websites, made some phone calls, and I could not find another Dirigo 120. Bummer, so I looked at dozens of other models and manufacturers.

Obviously my clean-up efforts are no place for a kayak costing thousands, and generally the touring kayaks are narrower and more cirved on the bow and stern. That won't work. I saw the Dirigo 106, which just seems to be a bit shorter, but the length helps with tracking. So I was prepared to select another model.

I intended to go up to Amherst NH, since they had a bunch of models in stock. But then I remembered a little hunting store nearby. Right on Rte. 119, I'd never stopped in - I'm not a big fan of hunting. Nonetheless, I walked up, told the guys I was looking for a kayak, but didn't want a sit-on-top model. He said "I only have one - it's on the end of the rack."

I walked over, and lo and behold, a Dirigo 120, a model that has a couple more features, like a drain plug, and a fishing rod holder (I don't fish, but maybe I will, or I'll use it for a lock.) AND, the guy wanted to move the item, and he gave me a sweet deal. Thank you Hunters Rendezvous!

Nashua River - Unthinkable

I took a nice long paddle on the Nashua River yesterday, starting and 119 to past Rt. 2A and back again. When I reached the Rte. 225 bridge near the Nashoba Paddler and the boathouse, there were about 20 or so canoes.

The first canoe had 3 girls in it, they appeared to be Indian and spoke broken English, but they asked me to show them how to paddle. I was a bit surprised that someone would put them in a canoe and not show them how to paddle, but at least they were wearing PFDs. After a quick explanation, they seemed to grasp the idea. So I moved on, seeing canoe after canoe of people who were very friendly, but thoroughly confused.

The weather continued getting better and after what is about a 12 mile round trip, I didn't even have a full basket. Thay was great! It's getting so much nicer, and now that the Oxbow and Bolton flats are clean, not much drifts downstream to that area.

But then tragedy! When I got home, I opened the garage door, which I usually do, but then I generally park outside. For an instant I forgot I had my beloved Dirigo 120 on top of my truck. WHAM! I hit the top of the garage, and tore about a 2 foot gash in the hull of my kayak! Unthinkable.

Well I'll try to repair it, and if anyone has any tips, that would be helpful, but it looks like I should consider a purchase of a new kayak.

Brand Awareness

As a marketing pro, I've spent my career helping companies build awareness for their brands. Because of my marketing bretheren, companies have built products that are instantly recognizable from a great distance. Mountain Dew, Budweiser, Miller Lite, Dunkin Donuts, Coca-Cola, the list goes on. I can spot those brands in the piles of rubbish that collect in the rivers.

I'm sure those companies would say they can't control how their products are disposed of, once used, and that they're not responsible. And to a point, they're right. But when is the last time you saw any effort by a beverage manufacturer or a coffee chain to educate its customers about being responsible when disposing of the empty container. I'm not sure I've ever seen it.

I think I'll start a whole new genre of product shots. You know the ones: product alone, product in use, product in its environment, product with a hot model. Perhaps I'll call it "product defacing the planet". I'll show the gatorade trucker bombs full of piss, the Dunkin Donuts cups among the lily pads, the Bud cans drifting down the river. There's some brand awareness no one wants.

Rent a Kayak or Join a Tour

I was asked where someone might rent a kayak or join a tour without having to go and purchase a kayak before finding out if they like it.

There's one place right on the Nashua River called Nashoba Paddler. They rent kayaks and offer tours for groups. You can vist them here: www.nashobapaddler.com

If you really want some more advanced instruction or want to try out some new equipment, check out the tours at REI www.rei.com. If you sign up for their calendar of events newsletter, each month they'll send you info on how to sign up and what's happening. (I love REI!)

-Ed

Still River Depot - Harvard MA

When I paddle the Oxbow, I generally throw in at Still River. It's got easy access and plenty of parking. This weekend I went out on Saturday morning, wow it was hot! I paddled downstream this time, as I hadn't been downstream in a few months because of other trips and the attention I was paying to the Rt. 117 area.

I was somewhat surprised. I guess it's been since late May or early June since I'd been on that stretch. I made it about 1 mile downstream and my basket was full. I turned around, emptied my kayak, and headed back down.

I made another run, getting about 1.5 miles downstream clean. But the heat started to get to me and I hadn't eaten breakfast, so I called it quits. But I was kind of upset that I didn't even get to Rt. 2.

Sunday I had some free time, so I started out fairly early. I paddled all the way to where I had made it saturday, and started picking up. I grabbed everything from the next several logjams, and then I started to find fewer and fewer items. That was really cool - some of the places that ordinarily collect a lot of trash were empty.

I kept paddling past route 2 and down toward Hospital Rd. I stopped just short of there, but realized I hadn't seen a piece of trash for quite a long time. Hopefully further downstream is still just as clean. The construction at the bridge generally puts some trash in the water, but I'm hoping for the best.

Now that the huge trash deposits between Rt. 117 and Rte. 2 are gone, I'm optimistic that the next high water event won't cause as great a mess as they have in the past. There's still a lot upstream of 117, but that stuff should have a hard time getting downstream any time soon.

The Oxbow really is a beautiful place, now that I've got it trash-free again this year. Get out there and enjoy it folks!
-Ed

Saco River Camping and Kayaking

Sorry I haven't posted in a while, but I've been busy paddling! I went up to the Saco River in Conway, NH to go camping for the weekend with my daughter and her friend. The girls had a great time and didn't want to leave when it was time to go.

The guys and I hired a shuttle to take us upstream so we could paddle back to our campsite. The shuttle mormally runs about 7 miles, but they cut the route short because the water was really low.

The water was low, but it was still passable. I love the Saco River! It's so beautiful and the water is so clear. We saw some great birds too - I think they were Turkey Vultures - huge - they look like really big hawks. Does anyone know if that's what they are?

Like any river, especially a well-traveled one, there's trash in the Saco too. It's really hard to imagine how anyone could possibly look at the Saco in all it's beauty and decide to throw thier beer cans in. I'm not against having a few beers and enjoying the great outdoors, but I never let my trash in to the water.

Maybe next year I'll plan a trip and bring the laundry basket and give the Saco a day of attention. That's one long river though... maybe a week long trip down??

Who's been cleaning the Nashua River?

I went out this weekend and completed the stretch between Rt. 117 and the Still River Depot at the Oxbow. And when I say completed, I mean if I can see it, get to it, and transport it, I take it out of there. So there are no more bottles, cans, tires, propane tanks, spray paint cans, or solvents. I even removed a 5-gallon bucket of paint, and the last gallon of used motor oil. In short, no human waste except for maybe 2 very large items I cannot possibly transport on a kayak. And I intend to keep it that way.

On Sunday, I ran into a nice couple who were probably about 60 years old. They asked what I was doing, and then the man shared a nice story with me. A few years ago he used to paddle in the Oxbow area, but he was so disgusted by the trash and pollution that he stopped. When he came back a month or so ago, he was very surprised how clean it was. I shared with him how I'd been working on it for more than 2 years now, and probably have removed more than 10 tons of waste. He was very appreciative, and I believe he'll be coming back more regularly now.

The woman said "Why don't you join a group?" I told her groups might undertake some of the legal battles to protect an area from development, but when it comes right down to getting your hands dirty and cleaning up a mess, groups don't do anything.