A Taste of Things to Come

Happy Birthday, America (one day late)! We spent the weekend with family and friends, so we didn't get a chance to kayak or bike. That's okay...we're looking forward to two upcoming trips. One is on a salt marsh on the New Hampshire seacoast and the other is on the Contoocook River in Concord. I'm also hoping to take a guided riverwalk in Nashua on July 12th.
Here are a few activities on our calendar:

Salt Marsh Exploration: We signed up for a guided paddle on July 10th with the Great Bay Discovery Center, located in Greenland. We've never done any sea kayaking before, but this is listed as an easy paddle, and of course, it's in a salt marsh, not on the open ocean. This trip is booked solid, but check out the Great Bay Discovery Center for more paddling opportunities. And be sure to check back for our trip report.

Contoocook River: We're joining members of the East Hampstead Meet Up Kayaking Group for this excursion on the Contoocook River. We'll be shuttled to the put-in by the Contoocook River Canoe Company and then make our way back to our vehicles in a leisurely 5-hour paddle, including lunch and swimming. You can do the same even if you don't own a canoe or kayak, since they rent them here. Check out the website for more details.

Riverfront Walking Tour in Nashua: I'm hoping to sign up for this 1.6 mile walk on July 12th with Nashua Community Development Director Kathy Hirsch. It's sponsored by the Nashua River Watershed Association and sounds like it will offer some interesting history as well as a look at the City of Nashua's vision for the waterfront. See NRWA for more details.

After a cool, rainy spell that left us all a little stir crazy and cranky, we've now had two beautiful summer days. Let's hope it continues and I didn't just jinx us! By the way, if you've been out on the water or you're exploring New Hampshire outdoors in other ways, why don't you drop us a line and let us know what you've found?

There are Bears in Those Hills!

Paddling Echo Lake
So here's the final installment in our three-part series on Franconia Notch. I want to share our experience paddling Echo Lake, not to be confused with the lake of the same name in North Conway. Echo Lake in Franconia sits right off Route 93, at the base of Cannon Mountain, so you can expect quite a bit of road noise.

With Cannon Mountain's ski trails and aerial tramway nearby and a small beach at one end, this isn't a secluded paddle. There were also a few people out in small fishing boats the day we were there.

The lake is only about 28 acres, according to the NH Fish and Game. The plusses are some great views of Mount Lafayette, and of course, Cannon Mountain. The main attraction the day we were there was a black bear roaming around near the top of the ski slope. We could watch from the lake with our binoculars, so that was cool! One of the fishermen from the area told us it was common to find a bear rummaging around the back of his pickup truck. Apparently bear sightings are common any time of day.

With Echo Lake being so small, we only paddled for about an hour; In fact, a good portion of the time we weren't paddling at all, we were sitting and watching the bear.

I wouldn't consider Echo Lake a destination by itself, but rather an appetizer on the smorgasbord that is Franconia Notch State Park. There's lots to do here, including hiking, biking, camping, and swimming. Visit Franconia Notch State Park for more details.

Kayaking Streeter Pond in Franconia

We spent last weekend in Sugar Hill, NH for the lupine festival -- it was very low-key but fun! I've decided to post three short write-ups, starting with this one about Streeter Pond. Can you say "beautiful reflections?" That's my lasting impression of this small pond.

Not sure if Streeter Pond is in Franconia or Sugar Hill, but it was only about four miles from where we stayed at Sunset Hill in Sugar Hill, just off Route 116. One source says the pond is about 65 acres.

We arrived mid-morning and spent a little over an hour paddling around. So it's not the type of place that will occupy your day, but in my view, it's well worth it if you're in the area. And there are lots of reasons to visit Franconia Notch -- more on that in a later post.

While there's only one house on the pond, you can hear some road noise from nearby route 116. But for me, the mountain views and reflections cancel out the road noise. I don't think my photos do it justice.

We saw lots of birds, including red-winged blackbirds, orioles, and gold finches. And while Streeter is small, it still invites exploration. There are little islands and bends to explore. I'm working on a short slideshow of the natural beauty we found near Franconia, but I'm techno-challenged. For now, I say load your canoe or kayak on to your vehicle, and head to Sugar Hill!

Directions (from http://www.franconianotch.org/): It's easy to find once you're in the area. Take a left off route 116, heading north on Streeter Pond Road. Boat launch is a left after you pass the pond. The put-in is not as gradual as many we've been to, but it's do-able.

Reflections on Our NH Paddling Season

"I go to nature to be soothed and healed, and to have my senses put in order." (John Burroughs)

Someone asked me recently what I like about quiet water kayaking, as in, "What's the thrill?" Well, there is no thrill really. No speed, no cheering crowds and no adrenaline rush of victory. And that's exactly what I love about it!

I love the peacefulness, being close to nature, being on the water. When you're kayaking, you can touch the water, smell the water lilies, watch a dragon fly, listen to the call of the loon. It's like hitting the "pause" button in the daily grind of life.

With that said, let's take a look back at some of our favorite spots this season. Be sure to send us comments and let us know about your favorite places.

A Perennial Favorite: It's no secret that we love Gilmore Pond in Jaffrey. Call it serendipity. Each time we've paddled here, everything seems to come together. The bluest sky ever, the warming rays of the sun, crystal clear water, an eagle soaring overhead. I realize that not everyone will score a "hat trick" when it comes to Gilmore, but we've been lucky each time we've paddled here.

Worth the Effort: The Turkey Ponds in Concord aren't the easiest to access. There's a bumpy, rocky road to the put-in. But they are definitely worth the effort. There's virtually no shoreline development and when we paddled here, there was very little boat traffic. The plant life, intriguing granite rocks, small islands and lots of acreage make for a very pleasant paddle.

Most Peaceful: For us this year, it was Willard Pond in Antrim, NH. Again, there's virtually no shoreline development and motor boats are not allowed. The water is clear; loons and other wildlife dominate and there's a view of Bald Mountain. Not a large pond, but very inviting, relaxing and easy to access.

I don't know about you, but I'm already looking forward to next season on the water. I just joined a kayaking group near Hampstead, NH. They use the internet to plan trips together and it seems like a diverse, friendly bunch of all ages and skill levels. While there are times that Doug and I just want to get away and enjoy the peace and quiet together, there are also times when we'd love to venture out to new places with new people. Check out the group on MeetUp.com.

Enjoy a NH Love it or Leaf it Photo Tour

Turkey Pond in Concord, NH

It's November (cold and gray) and our kayaking and biking season is quickly coming to a close. I plan to spend the next few months researching some great places to explore for next season and trying to get outdoors to enjoy winter. But to be honest, I'm not a big fan of snow, cold, and ice (brrrr!).

I'll also write a season wrap-up soon, highlighting our favorite spots and experiences for 2008. In the meantime, you're invited to take a brief tour from our photo album. This one is a mix of photos on smugmug.com from New Hampshire, Massachusetts, and Maine. Enjoy!

Short Paddle on Exeter River

My friend Nancy and I took a short paddle on the Exeter River last week. I had read mixed reviews about it on online. One paddler said the river wasn't worth the trip--it was boring and you could hear road noise the whole time. Another couple gave it "two thumbs up." In the end, I went with my trusty source, the AMC Guide to Quiet Water New Hampshire and Vermont and decided to give it a try.

This was a short paddle (a little over one hour) and to be honest, we didn't cover a lot of distance. But I enjoyed the river nonetheless. Exeter River is not like some of the crystal clear ponds we've paddled in more remote locations. But it's a nice little adventure if you take it as it is.

We put in at Gilman Park and followed the advice of some fellow paddlers to head right from the boat launch. The water is murky and there are lots of dead trees on the banks, giving the whole experience a somber note. At the same time, I found it peaceful. This is a narrow windy river that snakes around for about 6 miles. The snaking part is exactly what I liked about it. You never knew what you were going to find around the next bend in the river.

In the short distance we covered, we didn't see many places to go ashore because of the dense shrubbery and trees, but the other couple who paddled for three and a half hours reported that there were several spots to pull over for a picnic lunch. They also saw turtles, ducks, a red-tailed hawk, and a bald eagle. (Read their full report here on paddling.net.) I'd definitely recommend you get out on the river and experience it for yourself. Then come here and let us know what you found.

A safety side note: If you're in New Hampshire, you know what kind of crazy weather we've had this summer-- rain, rain, and then more rain, along with a tornado and flash flooding. Not the best of times for those of us who enjoy paddling. While we were out on the Exeter River, we kept a close eye on a dark ominous cloud and we were never more than a few paddle strokes from shore. Be sure to scope out each situation and use common sense.

Things to Know Before You Go: There's limited parking -- maybe for 4 to 6 vehicles, so try to avoid busy weekends if you can. Nearby downtown Exeter has some great lunch spots. Nancy and I enjoyed delicious salads outdoors at The Green Bean. There's also a place called Loaf and Ladle that's supposed to be good, as well as other options.

Directions: From the junction of Routes 27, 101, and 108 in downtown Exeter, head south on Route 108. Go .7 mile, passing Phillips Exeter Academy and turn left on Bell Avenue just after a bridge. The entrance to Gilman Park is .3 mile down this road.

Paddling Turkey Ponds

(Click on photo to see more photos on smugmug.com.)
Well, we never quite get the early morning thing right when it comes to kayaking. We got up at 5 a.m. to head to Concord and two connected ponds: Great Turkey Pond and Little Turkey Pond. The trouble is we didn't actually get out on the water until 6:45 a.m. -- a little late to catch early morning wildlife activity. Wildlife or not, these two ponds are awesome!

Based on information in the Appalachian Mountain Club book, Quiet Water: New Hampshire and Vermont, we chose to take exit 2 off I-89, head south about one mile and just past a small bridge, take the dirt road on the right. Let me say that this road would be extremely difficult without 4-wheel drive and/or a truck. There are some good-sized rocks here. An alternative might be to park on the side of the road and carry your boat in (maybe 3/10 mile?)

Well after getting the pickup truck stuck on a rock and gunning it in 4-wheel drive, we were there! These ponds offer a good amount of water (about 339 acres) and many different areas to explore. We paddled up the western shore of Great Turkey Pond and passed underneath I-89 to continue paddling to Little Turkey Pond. Heading back, we paddled more to the center with occasional stops to investigate the eastern shore.

There is barely any development at all -- we saw two houses and what looked to be an unoccupied kids' camp -- and that was it. The only distraction you have to contend with is the road noise when you're near I-89, but before long, that fades into the distance.

The Turkey Ponds are really picturesque. There's open and wooded shoreline, tree-covered islands and some interesting granite boulders. We spotted a great blue heron (okay, that counts as wildlife!) and also enjoyed the many fragrant waterlilies. I could have spent hours getting lost in the pond's beautiful reflections and all the shades of green from the shoreline alone. Take my word for it...if you can manage the rocky put-in, the Turkey Ponds are definitely worth it.

Things to Know Before You Go: Motorboats are allowed, although we only encountered a few small fishing boats with trolling motors. We also saw some water skiing channels, but no sign of skiers this early in the day. The AMC book says there's a wonderful hiking and biking path that circles the ponds. Unfortunately,we didn't have time to explore those today.

Directions: Take I-89 to exit 2; head one mile south on Clinton Street (Route 13). Shortly after crossing a small bridge over Turee Pond, look for an unmarked dirt road to the right. The AMC book describes two other access points, one off exit 3 and Stickney Hill Road (has a steep carry-in) and the other is on the north end of the pond off Routes 9/202. Consult a NH atlas for more specifics.

Kayaking Thorndike Pond

(Click on the photo to see more photos on smugmug.com)

We paddled Thorndike Pond in Jaffrey today and thank goodness we did! It's been five weeks since we've been out kayaking and I was getting a little cranky about not having my de-stressing time on the water. I guess you could say it was worth the wait.

This is a fairly large pond (about 265 acres) with lots to offer. To begin with, I'll say Thorndike is not as secluded and traffic-free as some places we've paddled. Motorboats are allowed (although we only encountered one lone powerboat on this holiday weekend) and there's a kids' summer camp, which seems low-key. At the same time, the pond is large enough so you can find plenty of quiet spots to go off on your own.

Thorndike struck me as the perfect spot for a kid to be a kid -- you know, a place to practice cannonballs off a floating dock or to splash into the pond from a tire swing. Within 15 minutes of being out on the water, I could sense my tension melting away.

We paddled to the right from the boat launch and soon discovered Whittemore Island; a sign indicates its managed by the Nature Conservancy. We didn't go ashore, but it looked like a neat place to explore or to stop for a picnic.

Judging from our NH atlas, the pond has an hourglass shape, with the upper half of the hourglass elongated. There's plenty of open water, a few smaller marshy areas, and the island I mentioned. It also has some great views of Mount Monadnock. There's some shoreline development, but nothing too intrusive. We spent a pleasant two hours on Thorndike Pond and I'd encourage anyone in the area to give it a try. I don't think you'll be disappointed!

Things to Know Before You Go: Parking on the roadside is limited and there are no facilities here. Thorndike is not far at all from one of our all-time favorites, Gilmore Pond. This means it's also near Kimball Farm Ice Cream (yum!). You can read more about both here.

Directions: Take State Route 124 to Jaffrey Center. Turn right on Thorndike Pond Road. Take a left on Gilson Road (unpaved) for 1.4 miles to a right on Dublin Road. There's a small gravel put-in on the right.

Dubes Pond...so close and yet so far away

Unfortunately, it doesn't look like we'll have time to go kayaking or biking this week. (We're in the midst of a major kitchen remodel...lots of decisions to be made and workmen to boss around.) But I am planning to take breaks occasionally to share information with you about some of our previous paddles. First on the list is Dubes Pond in Hooksett.

It's hard to believe when you're out on Dubes Pond that you're just a short ten-minute drive from Manchester (our largest city). When Doug and I kayaked here on a weekday in July 2007, we saw only one other boat. There's limited shoreline development and virtually no traffic noise.

At first, Dubes Pond seems small, but it actually has a number of coves and islands to explore. In summer, you'll see fragrant water lilies and lots of other water plants. We also saw some great blue herons and a large heron rookery at the far end of the pond. (Please keep your distance from the rookery, particularly during nesting season.) While we weren't there at the right time of day to see beavers, we did see some of their lodges.

All in all, Dubes Pond is a great way to spend a few peaceful hours on a summer's day. For me, it's one more reminder of the natural treasures that are so close if we just take the time to look around.

Things to Know Before You Go: There's a small picnic area at the boat launch. As you first set out on the water, you may see flags or buoys set out for water skiing. Once you get past those, you should be on the lookout for granite boulders...Dubes Pond has quite a few.

Directions: From Manchester, take Routes 3/28 north and turn right onto Route 27. The boat access is on the left, 2.3 miles beyond the junction with Bypass 28. You can drive up to drop your boat off and then park in the lot across the road.


Note: I published a slightly different version of this article on www.paddling.net. Be sure to check them out for some great trip reports from other kayakers.

Kayaking Hoit Road Marsh

We spent a couple of peaceful hours this morning paddling Hoit Road Marsh in Concord. This is a true marsh--distinguished by its abundant vegetation and shallow depth. We recommend that you plan a trip here before too long. By mid-summer, the outer reaches of the pond will be choked with water lilies, reeds, and grasses and you probably won't be able to paddle far at all.

Hoit Road Marsh was a different type of paddling experience for us-- compared with Gilmore or Willard Pond, for example, which are both crystal clear and easy to navigate. Here, the water is murky, you're hitting tree stumps, and sometimes hitting bottom. Still, we thoroughly enjoyed the marsh.

It's the type of place where you can just sit and drift, watching and listening to all the birds and other critters, including snakes and a snapping turtle. We saw Canada geese, tree swallows, and most captivating of all, a Great Blue Heron from fairly close range.

How large is Hoit Road Marsh? An interesting question. I found four wildly different facts on this (ranging from 71 acres to 217!) , but I'm going to go with the NH Fish and Game Department and say 101 acres. The Fish and Game oversees the marsh as a "Wildlife Management Area" and they've placed abundant bird houses throughout. While we never did see any wood ducks which are supposed to be plentiful here, we were quite content to spend time watching the amazing Great Blue Heron.

Things to Know Before You Go: The Marsh is peaceful and quiet. There are no motor boats and limited road noise. There's a gravel put-in and ten parking spaces across the road. This place is easy to find and has easy access. There are no bathroom or other facilities.

Directions: Take I-93 north to exit 17. Take a left onto Hoit Road and drive for 2.5 miles. The marsh is on your left.

Basic Paddling Technique

Are you left-brained (analytical, logical) or right-brained (artsy, creative)? I'm about to offer links to some basic paddling techniques and depending on how your brain works, you may prefer one link over another. I'll start by saying this information is for beginners. We're barely scratching the surface here.

Kayaking is like many other sports--you can get by just knowing the basics, but you'll probably enjoy it more (and be safer) as your knowledge and skills expand. First, here are four brief tips I learned from watching a demonstration at the New England Paddlesports Show:

• Sit up straight and tall in your kayak


• Use your entire upper body, not just your arms and shoulders


• Watch the hand doing the work; This means your shoulders move with your hands


• Your paddle should be vertical as it's going into the water

Paddling Instructions for Left-Brainers
Some folks will find this helpful, so I'm adding this link to GORP's article on River Basics: Strokes and Strategies. It describes forward strokes, the stern draw, and forward sweep, among other things. I'm quite sure the author know's what he's talking about, but not being a left-brained person, most of his instruction is lost on me.

Paddling Video for Right-Brainers
And for the rest of us, national champion paddler Lloyd Reeves has produced some short instructional videos available on a site called expert village. There are actually 13 short videos in the series. Topics range from how to get in a kayak safely, the correct way to hold a paddle, and basic strokes.

Take a Lesson
All this being said, I think the best way to learn paddling technique is to take an in-person lesson. Many rental and touring places offer them; check out some of the links in our sidebar under Kayak Rentals and Tours. The "grand-daddy" of outdoor instruction in our area seems to be the L.L.Bean Outdoor Discovery Schools. I love that they offer a choice of long (more expensive) instruction and shorter (less expensive) "walk-on adventures." You can get a full course meal or just the appetizer!

Confession Time...This is our third season on the water and we've yet to take a lesson. Up until now, we've had fun just playing. But I'm ready to learn how to get more efficient at paddling so we can take longer trips. How about you?

Paddling in the White Mountains

Long Pond in Benton, NH (near Lincoln) is one of several Long Ponds in the state. We paddled here last summer and would highly recommend it if you're planning a visit to the White Mountain area. In fact, the pond is in the middle of the White Mountain National Forest. So far, it's the most remote place we've ever paddled.

There's no development at all on Long Pond, unless you count the beaver lodges! The pond is about one mile long, has lots of islands, and a shoreline dotted with tall evergreens. You'll get to enjoy beautiful views of Mount Moosilauke and probably encounter some wildlife. We enjoyed some loons when we were here.

Our mid-morning excursion was a family affair -- four of us ranging in age from early 20s to (ahem) mid-50s. I must admit I struggled a little to keep up with the younger, more fit paddlers among us. It was windy the day we visited and I had trouble tracking -- that is, getting my kayak to go where I wanted it to go.

As a recreational kayaker, there's not too much pressure to learn proper paddling technique. Heck, you get out on the water and just paddle, right? It works most of the time! Well, I'm more focused this year on learning some technique and here's why:

• It's more efficient, meaning you won't tire as easily


• There's less chance of injury (usually to the shoulder)


• It comes in handy if there's wind or a current

Stay tuned. I'll be posting some information about beginner technique soon. In the meantime, head to Long Pond. It's places like this that make New Hampshire special. You can enjoy pristine water, watch the wildlife, and take in mountain views all at the same time.

Things to Know Before You Go: Bring dollar bills. There's a parking fee ($3 when we were there) and you'll be expected to leave the fee in an envelope if no one's in sight to collect it. There are picnic tables and public restrooms. The boat launch is a concrete ramp.

Directions: From I-93, Exit 32 in Lincoln, drive west on Route 112, joining Route 116 in about 11 miles. A mile farther, follow Route 116 as it splits left. After 1.6 miles, turn left onto Long Pond Road. Turn right after 2.5 miles, following signs for Long Pond. The picnic area is another .5 mile. Note that the last 3 miles is on a single lane dirt road.

Put Willard Pond on Your List

Peaceful and protected. Two words that come to mind when I think about Willard Pond in Antrim. The pond is protected as part of the NH Audubon Society's largest sanctuary.

The entire property, including Bald Mountain and Goodhue Hill, is well over 1,000 acres. If you paddle to unwind and get in a zone, you're going to love it here!

Willard is about 100 acres, so it's a couple of hours of paddling pleasure. The water is crystal clear and the shoreline is dotted by boulders. While there aren't many places to go ashore, there are hiking opportunities to be explored in the surrounding sanctuary.

As you paddle, you'll see rocks that look to be just below the surface, but then you'll glide right over them. It's all part of the optical illusion created by the clear water. Other highlights? We saw a pair of nesting loons and their baby chick when we were here last year.

Gas-powered motorboats are not allowed and fishing is restricted to fly fishing only. When I think of Willard, I'm reminded of a mantra one of my yoga instructors says at the end of class: " Peace Above...Peace Below...Peace All Around." That's Willard Pond.

Things to Know Before You Go: This pond is tucked into the southwestern part of New Hampshire, about a 30-minute drive from one of our other favorites, Gilmore Pond. You can drive right to the water to unload your boat, then drive back to park at the large lot.

Directions: In Hancock, at the junction of Routes 123 and 137, take Route 123 northwest for about 3 miles. Turn right, going nearly straight, on Davenport Road. At a little over .7 mile, take Willard Pond Road for one mile.

Are you new to paddling?

Brand new to kayaking or canoeing and want to try it out before investing in any equipment? Maybe you're just visiting the area and looking to rent a canoe or kayak? There are a couple of great places here in central New England that offer rentals and tours. These outfitters don't originate in New Hampshire, but both will take you (either by boat or van) to New Hampshire waters.
Nashoba Paddlers in West Groton, Massachusetts is a great place to start. We rented here two or three times before deciding to buy our own kayaks. They have canoes and kayaks (both singles and doubles) and they're open daily from 9:30 to 6:30 and until 8:00 p.m. on Fridays in the summer.
From their rental site directly on the Nashua River, you can paddle for hours in either direction. One direction will take you through Groton and Pepperell, MA before crossing the border into Hollis and Nashua, NH. The other direction will take you through the Massachusetts towns of Shirley, Ayer, Harvard, Lancaster, and Leominster. Visit http://www.nashobapaddler.com/

Plum Island Kayak offers easy evening tours in the Portsmouth, NH area. They've teamed up with Kittery Trading Post in Maine to offer the tours. They're only offered on Wednesday evenings during the spring and summer -- but what you give up in flexibility of scheduling, you'll make up for with perks. For starters, Plum Island Kayak offers a 20-minute orientation and review of paddle strokes. Secondly, they provide all equipment AND they transport you by van from Kittery Trading Post to the put-in site just over the border in the Portsmouth area.

The guy I spoke with at Plum Island assured me that while you may encounter some saltwater (depending on which outing you select), you won't be fighting the tides. The first tour (May 28) takes place in New Castle, in an overflow basin of the Piscataqua River. These tours are classifed as easy "stillwater," with minimal currents. You'll need to register with Kittery Trading Post, but direct any questions beforehand to Plum Island Kayak by calling (978) 462-5510. Check out the Plum Island website if you're interested in tours outside New Hampshire.

Where Do You Like to Paddle?

Where are your favorite places to canoe or kayak in New Hampshire? Why not share where you've been with others? We invite you to leave comments here (just click at the end of a post) or I encourage you to visit some of the other links under "Places to Paddle" and share your experiences.

You can read a just-published kayak report I submitted for Dubes Pond here on paddling.net -- a great source for places to go. Happy paddling!

Kayaking and Homemade Ice Cream

It just doesn't get any better than this! We took advantage of today's gorgeous weather to head to Gilmore Pond "on the spur of the moment." Of course, when you act spontaneously, you tend to forget things...like the binoculars and the new clips to secure our paddles to the kayaks (these should come in handy while we're busy doing other things like fishing or snapping photos.)

No matter what, Gilmore Pond never disappoints us. Within 15 minutes of being out on the water, we were watching a young bald eagle soar the thermals. Now that looks like fun! We also heard the tremolo of a solitary loon and later caught a distant view of this beautiful bird; I'm guessing his or her mate was sitting on a nest.

Aside from the wildlife, another highlight of Gilmore Pond for me is catching that illusive glimpse of Mount Monadnock. The mountain doesn't dominate the pond at all, it's just there in the far reaches, working its quiet magic.

The water temperature was probably no more than 50 degrees today. But that didn't stop three young men from taking an extended dip in the pond (brrrr!). From what I could tell, it was a springtime rite of passage for them.

We have a Gilmore Pond tradition ourselves. We almost always stop at Kimball Farm Ice Cream after a paddle at Gilmore (see the directions below). As you drive to Kimball Farm, you might think you're headed out to the "middle of nowhere." But when you arrive, you'll find hordes of people standing in line to order a delicious homemade ice cream cone or a lobster roll. There are plenty of picnic tables, an indoor restaurant, and a gift shop here. Be forewarned: portions are very generous at Kimballs. We split a small ice cream and it's more than enough for the two of us.

Directions to Kimball Farm: From Downtown Jaffrey, head east toward Peterborough. Shortly after passing Jaffrey Town Center, take a right onto Hillcrest Road. Drive uphill past a cemetery and then downhill until you come to a stop sign in front of Jaffrey Water Works. Turn left onto Turnpike Road and Kimball Farm is about 1/4 mile on your right.

Directions and more details on Gilmore Pond: Until I figure out how to put a link from one post to the next, just scroll down to my earlier post from April 11th.

Note: We have a saying in New England: "If you don't like the weather, just wait ten minutes." We went from cold, rainy, snowy days to warm temps in a very short time. That's why we were able to get out on the water a lot earlier than expected this year.

There's more to kayaking in New Hampshire than Gilmore Pond. I'll post trip reports from last season to Dubes Pond, Long Pond, Willard Pond, and other places soon...I promise.

Paddling Gilmore Pond

A few more weeks before we can get out on the water
It’s April and there’s still a four-foot snowbank at the end of our driveway here in southern New Hampshire. Obviously, it’s a little too chilly for our first kayaking venture of the season, but for now we can reminisce about some of our favorite paddles, can’t we?

Gilmore is a gem
Crystal clear water...great views of Mount Monadnock...a bald eagle and beautiful nesting loons. I almost hate to let the word out about Gilmore Pond in southwestern NH. Since we first started kayaking two years ago, Doug and I have “officially” opened our season each year with a paddle at Gilmore. For me, paddling here is so peaceful it's zen-like.

There’s not much development on the pond and road noise is practically non-existent. Aaah…the quiet…except for the haunting call of the loons. At 125 acres, this isn’t a big pond, but it offers some real treats. As you paddle round the bend, you’ll suddenly find yourself looking up at Mount Monadnock and wondering how 3,165 feet of trees and rocks snuck up on you!

The other surprise for me during our first visit was a chance to get up close (but not too close) to a pair of nesting loons. They really are beautiful and unusual birds, with many distinctive calls. I’ll write a whole post on loons very soon. For now, I can’t believe I’m saying this…but get out your Delorme Atlas and start planning a trip to Jaffrey, NH.

What You Need to Know Before You Go: Motorboats are allowed, but Gilmore is a no wake pond. The residents here take the pristine cleanliness of their waterway very seriously. Be sure your watercraft is free of vegetation and everyone will be happy. Parking is very limited, but has never been a problem for us when visiting on weekdays.

Fishing: According to the NH Department of Fish and Game, the pond has trout (brook, rainbow, and brown) as well as small mouth and large mouth bass, along with pickerel and white perch. Doug fished here once at mid-morning and caught only a large blue gill. He’ll no doubt try again this year!

Directions: Take NH State Route 124 to Sawtelle Road in Jaffrey Center, NH; Take Gilmore Pond Road at crest of hill with flashing yellow light. Stay on Gilmore Pond Road until you get to boat launch area on the right. It’s a small paved area, very easy to put in. There are no facilities here.

Paddling

• Best Time to Kayak Hoit Road Marsh is Now (June 2014)

• First Time Kayaking Island Pond (May 2014)

• Getting to Know the Merrimack (July 2010)


• Sportsmans Pond is a Hidden Gem (June 2010)


• Paddling Pillsbury State Park (November 2009)


• Lessons Learned from our 2009 Season (October 2009)


• Reflections on our 2009 Paddling Season (October 2009)


• Fall Kayaking Wish List (September 2009)


• Grafton Pond is Awesome (September 2009)


• Gilmore Pond is a Favorite (August 2009)


• Beautiful Day on Contoocook River (July 2009))


• Kayaking/Camping on Squam Lake (July 2009)


• Kayaking Great Bay (July 2009)


• Lake Potanipo in Brookline is Busy (June 2009)


• There are Bears in Those Hills! (June 2009)


• Kayaking Streeter Pond in Franconia (June 2009)


• Paddling Adventures on the Nashua River (June 2009)


• Solo, Tandem or Group? (June 2009)


• Late Afternoon Paddle on Nashua River Yields Lots of Wildlife (May 2009)


• Morning Paddle on Dubes Pond (May 2009)


• Do You Have Paddle Envy? (April 2009)


• Not Quite Ready for Kayaking (April 2009)


• Try Canoes and Kayaks Before You Buy (April 2009)


• Kayaking with Manatees (Jan.2009)


• Kayaking and Snow Shoeing on the Same Day? (Jan. 2009)


• Reflections on our NH Paddling Season (Nov.2008)


• Kayaking Hubbard Pond (Aug.2008)


• You can help protect our waterways (Aug. 2008)


• Short Paddle on Exeter River(Aug. 2008)


• Paddling Turkey Ponds (July 2008))


• Kayaking Thorndike Pond (July 2008)


• Dubes Pond...so close and yet so far away (June 2008)


• Kayaking Hoit Road Marsh (May 2008)


• Basic Paddling Technique (May 2008)


• Paddling in the White Mountains (May 2008)


• Put Willard Pond on Your List (May 2008)


• Are You New to Paddling? (May 2008)


• Where Do You Like to Paddle? (April 2008)


• Kayaking and Homemade Ice Cream (April 2008)


• Paddling Gilmore Pond (April 2008)