McDaniels Marsh is a Quiet Treasure

We headed to McDaniels Marsh in Springfield, NH today, based on a personal recommendation from @VTPaddlePups on twitter. This place is included in our kayaking bible (and possibly yours, too!): AMC's Quiet Water New Hampshire and Vermont. Not sure why we waited so long to check it out. It was definitely worth the 1.25 hour trip to the Sunapee region from Litchfield.

Many marshes get overgrown with vegetation by this time of year, making them difficult or impossible to paddle. That's not the case with McDaniels Marsh. It offers more than 500 acres of water, covering many miles.  Sure, there are lots of lily pads, water lilies and other plants...but there's also plenty of open water.

As we started out, we floated along, pushed gently by a wonderful breeze. It seems we hardly had to work at all to cover any area. We did have to paddle a little more on our return trip, of course. Along the way, we spotted some geese, a heron and lots of little painted turtles. Did I mention the rolling green hills in the distance?

Best of all was the quiet. There were no motor boats and surprisingly, we only saw three other kayakers on this gorgeous summer day.

You can hear birds and the distant hum of small airplanes, but other than that -- not much else. McDaniels Marsh is so beautiful and peaceful...it will quickly "put your senses in order" and help to melt away the stresses of everyday life.

According to the AMC guide, the marsh is home to beavers, otter and moose -- though we didn't spot any today. We vowed to come back for a sunrise paddle before too long. If you love quiet spots as much as we do, put this one on your list. You won't be disappointed!

Getting There: From I-89, take exit 13 to south on Rte. 10 for .7 miles. Then turn left on Rte. 114 for 4.8 miles. Turn left onto George Hill Road and look for the boat access on the right after about 2.2 miles. There is parking but no facilities here.The put-in isn't quite as gradual as some. In fact, I rolled into the water while trying to get out of my boat. Oops!

Best Time to Kayak Hoit Road Marsh is Now

Beautiful Reflections and lots of birds

We headed to Hoit Road Marsh in Concord last Sunday for some quiet and relaxing time on the water. Why do I say, "head here NOW" (as in the next seven to ten days)?  Because in just a few weeks time, the vegetation will choke out some of the open water and you won't be able to paddle very far. We first paddled Hoit Road Marsh in 2008, when we spent time watching a great blue heron. It's hard to believe that six years have elapsed since our last visit here -- this place is pretty awesome!

The 101-acre marsh is managed by NH Fish and Game, which has placed quite a few wood duck boxes in the water and along the shore. This seems to encourage a lively bird population. Each one of the boxes was occupied, though we're still trying to figure out the bird species. They were very small with a swallow-like body. The tops of their heads were a shiny green/blue. Could they be tree swallows? I'm not sure.

Doug took out his fishing rod and caught a 12-inch pickerel and we sat for a while and watched a graceful osprey soaring overhead. This is the type of place that invites you to just sit back and relax. It's shallow and marshy in a lot of places so you won't be doing too much strenuous paddling. But if you are content to meditate on all the shades of green and bright yellow water lilies...all while watching the birds...then this is your spot! 

Things to Know Before You Go: Hoit Road Marsh is easy to get to and offers an easy put-in. If you're traveling from the south, take I-93 North to exit 17 in Concord. Head east (left) off the exit onto Hoit Road. Travel about 2.5 miles to the marsh on your left. There are no facilities here, but there's a small parking lot across the street and what looks like some trails through the woods. We may be back to explore those another day. 

First Time Kayaking Island Pond

There are some rolling hills in the distance.

Today was our first time kayaking Island Pond in Stoddard, but it probably won't be our last. This place was actually "Plan B" for today. We headed first to Nubanusit Lake in Hancock on the recommendation of a friend. But when we arrived at Nubanusit, the waters were too choppy for our comfort level and there were quite a few power boats --so off we went to explore Island Pond, not too far down the road.

Loved the easy put-in!

Island Pond has an easy sandy put-in and a parking area for about a dozen cars right off Route 123. You'll hear some road noise when you first start out, but before too long you'll leave the noise behind. The pond has over 200 acres of water and about 20 summer cottages dotting its shores; we saw two smaller power boats and a number of other kayakers on this holiday weekend. So it's not as secluded as some of our favorite spots, but there's still plenty of room to spread out here.

The pond has a number of small islands and small channels, all set against a backdrop of picturesque green hills in the distance. Unfortunately, shortly after we got out on the water, the wind started gusting pretty strongly so we headed to a small protected cove to wait it out. After a long winter indoors, it was great just to be back out on the water, even if the weather conditions weren't ideal. We sat and watched a pair of geese and five tiny goslings for a bit, before heading back out to open water.

We paddled for maybe another 20 minutes before the strong wind gusts started up again and then it started to rain lightly. With threatening skies, we decided to paddle back to shore -- fighting a head wind that was pretty challenging at times. So Mother Nature didn't exactly cooperate for our first time out this season, but Island Pond looked like a great spot to spend a couple of hours. We'll be back!  

Directions: From Rte. 202 in Peterborough, take Rte. 123 North to Hancock. Look for the pond on your right shortly after the intersection of Rte. 9 and Rte. 123. There is a porta-potty here.

Getting to Know the Merrimack

Today's guest post is by Patrice, a faithful contributor and enthusiastic fellow kayaker. You can follow her adventures on Life Less Ordinary.

The Merrimack River flows 60-plus miles through New Hampshire, offering everything from flatwater to Class III rapids. The Merrimack has a little bit of a bad rep because of years of pollution, but it's improved a lot during the past 30 years. Justin and I explored about 15 miles from Franklin to Penacook in two different trips this month.

The first trip was from Boscawen to Penacook, offered as a guided trip by the Merrimack River Watershed Council (MRWC). Have you heard of them? If not, and you like kayaking or canoeing, you need to go check them out now. The Concord Monitor recently did a story on them, so I think they are getting more exposure.

The organization offers free guided trips on many rivers and other waterways around the state from April through October. You don't have to be a member to join the trips, but of course, they would welcome your membership. This year, they are sponsoring 36 trips!

Paddling from Boscowen to Penacook

Our first trip with MRWC on the Merrimack was supposed to be an overnighter. However, it turned out to be the one weekend all summer that we got much-needed rain in the form of scattered thunderstorms. Since we live close by, Justin and I opted to make it a day trip. The trip leader, Nancy Gero, camped on a beach where a local farmer allows camping.

Despite the rain, the paddle was close to perfect. Quiet. Scenic. There are a few sandy beaches along the way (including the one where many people camp). We only saw two houses and the rest of the scenery was mostly untouched forest and farmland. We even saw some beavers, herons, and cranes, which is always a nice treat!

The next MRWC-sponsored trip for this section of the Merrimack River is September 27th, led again by Nancy Gero.

Things to Know Before You Go: The put-in for this section is the public boat launch in Boscawen. Heading north on Route 3, the launch is just past the county jail. The take-out is in the Rivco Boat Ramp in Penacook at the corner of Merrimack and Penacook Streets. No restrooms at either site, but ample parking.

Paddling From Franklin to Boscawen

The next weekend, Justin and I kayaked a six-plus mile section of the river from Franklin to Boscawen. I think the MRWC offers a guided trip, but we decided to tackle it on our own, following Nancy's advice about what to expect.

This section is completely different in that it offers a little more Class I-III excitement. There were at least five sections where we had to navigate rocks and fast-moving water. The first 3.5 miles is really quick-moving and shallow. In fact, in two spots we had to get out of our boats and carry them a little bit because the water was too low. (I'm sure that would change with some RAIN!)

The last three miles was deeper and slower-moving. While the shoreline on this section was scenic with few houses and more herons, cranes and beavers, we could hear road noise for most of the trip, making it less desirable for us. I think we passed one or two sandy beaches where you could stop for a picnic lunch.

Things to Know Before You Go: The put-in for this section is the public boat launch in Franklin, off Route 3 behind the high school. The take-out is the public boat launch in Boscawen (the same one we used for the put-in for the first trip). Again, there are no restrooms, but there's ample parking.

Sportsmans Pond is a Hidden Gem

Today we welcome a guest post by Andrea, who lives in Ashby, MA. Andrea started kayaking last year and has managed to get out on the water at least once a week (I'm jealous!). She and her mom enjoy exploring southwestern New Hampshire. "It's convenient and there's an abundance of quiet water," she says.

Kayaking Sportsmans Pond in Fitzwilliam

by Andrea

This is a 152-acre pond that really invites exploration. From the launch, we paddled a 50-foot wide swamp channel that opened up to a small island. Little did we know that the island was blocking our view of a beautiful pond. There are only about 5-6 houses on the entire pond. We headed right and followed the shoreline to an outlet brook with a dam and a small bridge. Continuing along the shore, we encountered a pair of loons near the swamp inlet.

The swamp had channels coming out of it and looked like it had possibilities for exploration (maybe next time). Most of Sportsmans Pond is beautiful and completely wild, keeping you out of sight of the road and houses as the shore weaves in and out. We saw stone walls, boulders, and a pair of mallards. Around the last corner before returning to the launch, we came across my favorite feature.

We paddled to the end of the last inlet, thinking about turning around because of the tree stumps. Then we encountered two boulders, but when we paddled around them...it was like entering a different world: We found a beautiful boulder-filled brook and started weaving in and out, sometimes losing sight of each other. I don't know if a kayak much longer than our little nine-and-a-half footers would be able to navigate the boulders in this brook. We paddled this section until we came to a snowmobile bridge. There are spots that would allow portage and it looked like more paddling ahead, but we decided to call it a day.

We paddled Sportsmans Pond early in the season, so I'm unsure about weed growth as the season progresses. We're hoping to get back there to explore further!

Things to Know Before You Go: Parking is roadside and only has room for about two cars. The launch is small and gravel. We drove past twice before we decided "this was the place."

Directions: Take Rte. 119 to Royalston Road. Stay on Royalston Road past Pierce Road. Cartop roadside launch is on the left side of Royalston Road. If you see the Sportsman Club, you've gone too far.

Not to be Missed!

New England Paddlesport Show runs April 9-11

If you are a canoeist or kayaker or even if you're just thinking about getting out on the water, there's something for you at the New England Paddlesports Show. This year's show almost flew under the radar for me. (I usually hear their ads on the radio, but they must have cut their advertising budget?)

Anyway, here's what I like best about this annual show: there are lots of knowledgeable vendors selling equipment and accessories. Many of them aren't so interested in making the sale, however, as they are in helping you find the right fit for your time on the water. Even more importantly, there are informative seminars and live pool demonstrations. So it's not all talk and sales pitches.

Here's a brief rundown on some of the seminars. Be sure to check out the website for more details, including a coupon for $2 off the $7 admission price.

• For Women Only: Getting Started Kayaking


• How to Choose a Kayak


• Understanding Boat Control


• Adventure Kayaking the Grand Canyon

The show runs for three days and many of the topics repeat each day. We're hoping to fit it into our schedule. Maybe we'll see you there!

Note from Lucie: We've been very busy recently with family events -- one of them being our daughter's wedding in two months. Seems that we've had little time to get outdoors and play, but we're hoping that improves as summer approaches. What about you? Are you biking or kayaking? We'd love to hear all about it. If you've thought about submitting a guest post, please drop me a line so we can talk.

Tandem or Solo Kayak?

We had our first snowfall this week -- a wet slushy mess that's not quite prime for snowshoeing. And obviously, it's too late in the season for kayaking. But today seems like a good time to talk about a question I hear all the time from those considering their first boat purchase: Should I buy a tandem or solo kayak?

If you're a faithful reader, you know that I have a personal bias against tandems, based on our "disastrous" experience in Florida last winter. But I'm going to try to set that aside and discuss the pros and cons here.

If You're Thinking About a Tandem

Let's start with the obvious. Tandem kayaks are bigger and heavier. That means they're more difficult to transport and certainly more difficult to handle on the water if you decide to paddle alone at any time.

On the otherhand, a tandem may be a good idea if one person is far less experienced than the other or if your paddling partner is a child. It's not fun to go out paddling and get left behind or to have to constantly wait for the other person to catch up. With a tandem, you'll always be together.

A tandem kayak may also be a good option if you usually plan long kayaking trips -- you should be able to paddle further with less fatigue, since you can take breaks while the other person paddles and then return the favor.

Something else to consider before making your purchase: tandem kayaks require a high level of communication between the two paddlers. The person in back is steering, but the person in front usually has the clearer view of obstacles. So constant and productive communication needs to take place; unfortunately, that didn't happen when Doug and I paddled a tandem in Florida. I had to laugh when a reader wrote in and said in her family dubbed their tandem "the divorce boat.

On the Otherhand, Solo May Be Best

So, what are the pros and cons of solo kayaks? Pretty much everything negative about a tandem becomes a positive for a solo kayak and vice versa. Solo kayaks are lighter and easier to transport. They're easier to handle in the water on your own. They can be a drawback, as I mentioned, if you have different levels of experience and one person is powering ahead while the other person is struggling to keep up.

If there's an issue about who will control a boat, then solo is probably the best way to go. Our paddling style can best be described as "alone, together" and that's how we like it. We're together on the water -- always within sight and shouting distance -- but at any given moment, we're each off exploring different things. When we purchased our boats, we never even considered a tandem. (Hmmm....Is there someone here who doesn't play well with others?)

In the end, take a close look at your personal paddling preferences before making a decision. I always tell people to "rent before you buy," which is what we did. (It will also help you decide if you want a sit-inside or a sit on top boat -- a discussion for another day.) When it comes to tandem or solo, think about the ease of carrying, handling, and storing a large boat. Also consider if you'll always have a partner or if you'll want to go it alone sometimes. Do you work well as a team and enjoy clear communication? Are there children or less robust paddlers involved? Once you've looked at all the angles, I say go for it! Solo or tandem, I don't think you'll regret your time on the water.

Paddling Pillsbury State Park

I'm so excited to welcome guest blogger and fellow paddler Matt Hoffman of Grantham, NH. Matt is still happily canoeing even though it's early November. When he's not out exploring New Hampshire's great outdoors, he works as a fine art and adventure photographer. Be sure to check out his incredible photos on his website.

Perfect Spot for Late Season Paddle
By Matt Hoffman
For most of us, this is the time of year when we hang up our kayaks and canoes for the season and prepare for winter sports. But the snow hasn't started to fly yet, and there are still good paddling days to be had before the freeze sets in.

The key to staying warm and dry this time of year is to find a place to paddle that is not too open and offers lots of shelter from the wind, while still providing plenty of scenery and nooks and crannies to explore. One such place is Pillsbury State Park, located off Route 31, about 10 miles south of Newport, NH. There's a $4 per person entry fee, but that gives you access to a number of trails and four lakes, all easily paddled with only short portages between the latter two.

The ranger station is conveniently located at Butterfield Pond, which is a great place to start your paddling adventure. Butterfield Pond is relatively shallow, with protruding rocks and small islands, but these obstacles keep the paddling interesting. There are two campsites on the southern shore of the pond, accessible only to paddlers.


Heading east across the pond, a tight squeeze through some large boulders gains you access to May Pond, the largest pond at the park. May Pond is an open water pond, but it offers excellent scenery and great fishing. Hugging the southern shore, you might be treated to wildlife sightings, such as beavers and otters. The northern shore is dotted with campsites. At the far northeast corner of the pond, a small inlet stream is your cue to take out and begin the short 1/4 mile portage to Mill Pond.

The smallest of the four ponds, Mill Pond is a wildlife haven. Moose are regularly spotted here and turtles abound. The short paddle across this pond takes you north to the next portage. This portage, marked by a sign, takes you to the 1/8 mile easy trek to North Pond.

North Pond is where you will really feel the wildness of the park. There is not one single man-made object visible from this pond. There are two campsites here, one at the put-in and another along the eastern bank. Both are accessible only by hiking in and as a result, they are usually empty.

The western side of North Pond is full of coves and inlets that beckon you to paddle as far into them as possible. At the north end of the pond, a small inlet leads to a beaver pond. Exploring here can take a while, and it is a great place to just sit in your kayak and feel at one with nature.

From North Pond, a reverse of the above description will take you back to your car. For a shorter paddle with no portages, try exploring just Butterfield and May Ponds. Or, you can drive to Mill Pond, paddle it, and have one short portage to North Pond. There are many options at Pillsbury State Park.

This is a great time of year to have a lake or pond all to yourself. While most people have already hung up their kayaks for the season, you can be out enjoying the wilderness as nature intended -- and Pillsbury State Park just might be the perfect spot to do that.

Reflections on Our 2009 Paddling Season

Wow! Did our kayaking season fly by or what? I can hardly believe it's time for our annual "picks and pans," but sadly, Mother Nature seems to be telling me it's time to hang up our kayaks until next year. And so I'm presenting a round-up of our favorites for '09.

Needless to say, my favorites may not be your favorites. That's why I'd love to hear from you -- write in and let us know which paddling spots topped your list this year. New Hampshire has about 1,300 lakes and ponds...which ones are calling you back next season? Here's our list:
Best Close to Home (in southern NH) -- I have to say the Nashua River exceeded my expectations. We kayaked the Nashua Canal once before and were "underwhelmed." The River is a whole different story. Due to our little misadventure on the River, we didn't get to paddle to Hollis, nevertheless, we saw lots of wildlife in the short section we explored and will definitely be returning next year.

Best Early Season Paddle -- Dubes Pond in Hooksett (10 minutes outside of Manchester) is still a favorite, best paddled early in the season before it becomes choked with vegetation. This place is fairly quiet; we've never seen any motorboats here. We always enjoy exploring the small marshy inlets and watching the large variety of birds -- even if I can hardly identify a single one!

Perennial Favorite -- Gilmore Pond in Jaffrey is still near the top of our list. Part of me wants to stop talking about it so it will remain quiet and pristine -- and the other part of me wants to share it with everyone. To be honest, if you're a "Type A" paddler who likes to stay on the go, this small pond probably isn't for you. But for us, Gilmore is the perfect spot to drop in a fishing line or just sit and watch the loons.

New Favorite -- Grafton Pond in Enfield was our hands down favorite this year. It has lots of islands and nooks and crannies to explore and is set against the backdrop of distant mountains. We also encountered four loons here. It's quiet paddling at its best and is large enough to keep you kayaking for hours or to invite many return trips.

So there you have it...a quick roundup of our 2009 favorites. I'm going to write another short post soon about some places and experiences that didn't work so well for us this year. Don't get me wrong, we always enjoy our time on the water -- but what can I say? We all have likes and dislikes!

Five Cool Ways to Spend a Summer Day in New Hampshire

Yes, we love New Hampshire, but we're also partial to the neighboring state of Maine. In fact, we're headed to Long Island, Maine on vacation. (Year round population: 200; Summer population: 700.) We're not taking our kayaks or our car -- the island is only 1 mile wide by 3 miles long -- but we are taking our bikes. Before we unplug for a week, I thought I'd leave you with a list of cool ways to spend a summer day in New Hampshire.

We haven't experienced all of these mini-adventures yet. So if you've tried any of them, please write in and let us know. Enjoy! (Photo of Mt. Willard by Greg Paret.)

1.Kayak secluded Long Pond in Benton, NH
Aim for early morning, if you can. That's when you're more likely to see loons, bald eagles, beavers, and other wildlife. In the afternoon, visit nearby Lost River Gorge, where the brave-hearted are welcome to venture into cool, dark caves to see what they can see. You can read about our trip to Long Pond in 2007 here. Would love to make a return trip!

2. Plan a short visit to Madison Boulder
We're going to visit a rock, you ask? Well, this isn't just any rock; it's the largest erratic boulder in New England. We guarantee it's more impressive in size than the famed Plymouth Rock in Massachusetts. To see for yourself, check out fellow New Hampshire blogger J.W. Ocker's video of his trip to the rock. (I love his site, O.T.I.S, which stands for "Odd Things I've Seen." ) Follow your stop at the rock with an afternoon at nearby White Lake State Park, where you can enjoy a refreshing swim under a canopy of pine trees.

3. Take a bike ride around Strafford-Bow Lake.
In her book, Bicycling Southern New Hampshire, Linda Chestney describes it as the "perfect family ride." There's little traffic and you'll be able to experience some of New Hampshire's simple allure: "stone walls, large maples, birches, tree-canopied roads, and old burial grounds." Add a place for picnicking and swimming at the end of the ride and what more could you ask for?
4. Kayak (or canoe) the Connecticut River between New Hampshire and Vermont.
If you're looking for peaceful and scenic flatwater paddling, check out North Star Canoe Rentals in Cornish for shuttle and trip information. You'll paddle beneath the Cornish-Windsor Covered Bridge (the longest wooden covered bridge in the United States) while enjoying views of Mount Ascutney. This one's on my wish list.

5. Hike Mount Willard for great views of Crawford Notch.
We haven't tried this yet, but one source calls it "the best view for the easiest hike" in the White Mountains. The hike is 3-miles round trip, with a gentle and steady climb to a wide open summit. Check out Hiking with Chuck's website for photos and all the details you need to plan your hike.

Gilmore Pond is a Favorite

We kayaked a tried and true favorite today -- Gilmore Pond in Jaffrey, located in southwestern NH. I've written about Gilmore at least three times before, so I'll just add a few highlights from our paddle today. All I can say is that for us, the allure of this place never goes away.

What you will find here

A Resident Loon (or two) -- Doug was within 30 feet of a loon today as it sat quietly near the bank. We weren't trying to encroach on this beautiful bird; it just appeared near us and didn't seem disturbed that we were so close. The black and white checkerboard pattern on the loon's back is a pretty cool gift from Mother Nature. A fellow paddler noted that he was amazed that the bird could stay submerged for so long. If you're curious about why, take a look at my earlier post about the Haunting Call of the Loon.

Peace and Quiet -- Gilmore isn't remote, but it's peaceful. Many houses on the pond are tucked behind the trees and there are no main roads nearby. It's a no-wake pond, so that helps, too. We paddled around mid-morning on this hot and sunny day, so it was no surprise to see other people swimming, fishing, picking blueberries, and paddling. But we never feel crowded here and everyone seems to treat this place with quiet respect.

You can get directions to Gilmore and read more about the crystal clear water and mountain views here. Enjoy!

Beautiful Day Kayaking on Contoocook River

I'm sure there are many put-ins to the Contoocook River, considering that the river begins near the Massachusetts border in Jaffrey and flows north to the Merrimack River in Concord. We signed up for a trip with the Contoocook River Canoe Company in Concord and were shuttled to a launch site about nine miles away in Contoocook Village. You should definitely learn about this river before attempting it, because there are sections of flatwater and sections with rapids up to Class IV. It all depends what you're looking for!

On Sunday, Doug & I paddled the "Took" with about 38 kayakers from the East Hampstead Kayaking Meet Up Group. Yes -- that's a very large group, but this river can take it. We never really felt crowded, since paddlers quickly fanned out. We did see some motorboats on this gorgeous summer weekend, but most of them quickly slowed their speed when they spotted our flotilla of kayaks.

As we paddled down river on this quiet water section of the Contoocook River, we encountered high tree-lined banks, some downed trees in spots, and "wonderful" smells from area farms. There were some houses along the bank, but they were set up high, of course.

We didn't see much in the way of wildlife except for birds overhead, but part of that may be because we were paddling steadily for a total of about 3.5 hours. We didn't have a chance to sit leisurely by the shore and look for turtles or other critters.

Some highlights of the trip: The group pulled over on an island for lunch, which was a nice break. Later in the paddle -- at about 7 miles, we took another break at Daisy Beach, located in Lehtinen Park in Concord. There's a picnic table, a rope swing, rustic outhouse, and also walking trails through the park. It's a great spot to swim, picnic, or just relax from all that paddling.

Things to Know Before You Go: There are several ways to approach an excursion on the Contoocook. To be honest, the 9-mile paddle was too lengthy for us (It was "Aleve" and ice packs for me afterwards, thanks to my recurring back problems.) It all depends on your fitness level, but I would say if you have any question at all about your stamina, then don't take the shuttle to the launch site in Contoocook Village.

Instead, you can put in at the Contoocook River Canoe Company, paddle upstream as far as you want and then turn around and paddle back -- they charge $3 per person if you bring your own boat; Rentals are also available onsite. It's only 2 miles from their put-in to Daisy Beach, where you can have a picnic and enjoy a swim before paddling back or exploring further. Be sure to check their website for more information and other options.

Safety Notes: The Contoocook is a high volume river, which makes it a powerful river. According to one source, even sections of the Contoocook River that are generally "flat water" can become turbulent when the water level is high (AMC's Discover Southern New Hampshire by Jerry and Marcy Monkman). The authors say, "the best time to run this river is in the fall, when the current is negligible and the trees are ablaze in color." Again, it all depends what you're looking for...but I strongly recommend you do a little homework about water levels and the exact section you plan to paddle before heading out.

Directions to Contoocook River Canoe Company: From I-93 North and South, take Exit 15W. At the second set of lights, take a right hand turn (45-degree turn) onto Rte. 3 North. Continue on this road past the NH State Prison until you come to Bog Road (2.2 miles from the prison). Take a left on Bog Road and follow it to the end, where you'll stay straight over the bridge onto Horse Hill Road. The Canoe Company is the first building on your left.

Kayaking/Camping on Squam Lake

Today's post was written by Patrice, a fellow kayaker and blogger from the Concord area. She writes here about her camping/kayaking adventures on Squam Lake. Be sure to visit Patrice's blog, Life Less Ordinary, to see more photos and read about her adventures, both in and out of a kayak. Enjoy! And thanks to Patrice for sharing!

My husband Justin and I kayaked, along with three other people, to Moon Island on Squam Lake for two nights. This was our first kayak-to-camp trip and it was great!

Squam Lakes Association controls 12 backcountry campsites on three islands on Squam Lake. You can do a day trip and launch from the SLA in Holderness for a small fee, but we secured a camping permit months ago (in January) to camp. We used our kayaks, although the SLA rents kayaks, canoes, and sailboats as well.

Our permit was for Moon Island, which is about a 2-mile paddle from the SLA launch site. This paddling is not for beginners because of the open water. We had a sunny day with 10 mph winds, but the lake is generally pretty choppy, especially on weekends when there's motorboat traffic.

Since there were five of us, we had to stock up on food and supplies. We brought a 2-burner stove, but probably could have left it at home. We ended up cooking most of our meals over the fire grates at the campsite. This takes more time and patience, but in hindsight we realize it's worth it, to save the weight of the stove and propane.

We also brought a cooler with hot dogs, hamburgers and brats for the first night; eggs, sausage, and pancakes for breakfast, then a Backpacker Pantry meal for the second night and oatmeal for breakfast. And of course, we brought beer and water! Our kayaks were all pretty weighed down!

The site itself (#3 on Moon Island) had enough room for three tents. All the sites include a bundle of firewood for each night's reservation. It rained one night, but there's a lot of tree coverage and with the right rainfly, we kept dry. We also set up a tarp so we had an area to retreat to if there was a lot of rain.

We spent all day Sunday exploring the other islands and coves. We went from Moon Island to Five Finger Point (great beaches, hiking and cliff jumping) and into Rattlesnake Cove, Squaw Cove, and Bear Cove. Lots of beautiful homes and lots of good bird-watching, especially loons. In total, it was about 9 miles roundtrip.

I would say the only downfall of the whole trip was the mosquitoes. No amount of deet and fire smoke could really keep them away. Overall, I would definitely recommend either a day trip to Squam or an overnight adventure, if you're up for the hardcore paddling and the skeeters!

Learn more about the Squam Lake Association.

Kayaking Great Bay

We kayaked Great Bay in Greenland yesterday. What a gorgeous summer day and a beautiful place to paddle! Great Bay is a large estuary (a mix of salt and fresh water), that is fed by seven rivers. The Bay interconnects with the Atlantic Ocean in the Gulf of Maine. We were part of a group of 16 kayakers who signed up to take a guided paddle from the Great Bay Discovery Center.

Doug and I aren't experienced enough to paddle a place like this on our own -- hence the guided trip. I would recommend this approach for anyone wanting to venture out beyond the smaller ponds, lakes, and marshes in New Hampshire.

Part of the beauty of Great Bay is that it's largely undeveloped. In the area we explored yesterday, we enjoyed wide open water with forests, fields, and marsh grasses embracing the shoreline. We spotted a deer and saw a number of birds including cormorants, ospreys, ducks, and swallows.

The water was smooth, although we had to paddle a little harder than we normally do since we were obviously contending with a current produced by the tide (more on that in a minute). We also encountered about four or five motorboats, but all of them were respectful of our kayaks.

Towards the end of the trip, our naturalist guide took us into a small creek lined with marsh grasses which was very pretty, but we didn't get too far because of a downed tree. If you decide to go this route, be sure to use insect repellant!

Overall, we both enjoyed Great Bay for a change of pace. I learned afterwards that there are at least 24 boating access sites to the Bay; each area no doubt offers a different experience. This is a large body of water -- something like 5,000-plus acres of surface water and 150-miles of shoreline. I guess Great Bay makes up for the fact that New Hampshire only has 18 miles of seacoast.

A Note on Tides: You should be knowledgeable about the tides before paddling this estuary. The timing of high and low tides varies considerably from one end of the Bay to the other. So you can't just consult a tidal chart for Portsmouth, for example, if you're planning to put in at Dover Point, which is 1.5 hours behind. We paddled during high tide. Once low tide sets in, the Bay in Greenland is about 50 percent mud flats. And as I understand it, you can't drag a kayak across a mud flat without sinking!

Conservation History: Great Bay is beautiful and protected today, but it wasn't always that way. In 1973, oil tycoon Aristotle Onassis planned to build the world's largest oil refinery here. To quote from a Great Bay newsletter, "Residents along the Bay knew something was up when locals started talking about strangers who were pulling up to the farms around Durham Point and offering 'wads of money' for the land." Thankfully, townspeople, organized by a 27-year-old housewife, organized "Save Our Shores" and successfully defeated Onassis' plan. Since then, the Bay has faced a number of other threats that have been fought by concerned citizens.

Getting There: The Great Bay Discovery Center is located at 89 Depot Road in Greenland. It's a really nice facility with some great exhibits, handicapped-accessible walking trails, and wonderful children's programs that make me want to be a kid again. Check their website for directions and more information or call 603-778-0015.

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?

Lake Potanipo in Brookline is Busy

We paddled Lake Potanipo in Brookline this afternoon under a cloudy mist. It's only about twenty minutes from our house. Given the fact that we were short on time and the weather was "iffy" at best, we decided to stay close to home. Our philosophy? A little time on the water is better than NO time on the water.

We had never paddled Potanipo before, but we knew the lake had shoreline development and motor boat traffic. When we were there today, there were two or three water skiers and tubers. So Lake Potanipo isn't the secluded nature haven we prefer, but it was okay for a short paddle.

It's easy to get to and has an easy concrete ramp put-in. By my count, there are about 20-25 houses on this 136-acre lake, which feels more like a pond. Development is limited to one side of the lake, so evergreens still dominate the far shore; Unfortunately, that's where the power boaters were during our visit, so we couldn't paddle near the undeveloped side.

There's a small, members-only beach near the put-in and Camp Tevya (a Jewish summer camp) on the northern shore. Overall, Lake Potanipo was a pleasant enough waterway to paddle for a short time on a cool, drizzly day. But we're guessing that when the weather is nice, this place must be clogged with way too many power boats and sail boats from the camp to make it enjoyable for kayakers and canoeists.

Directions: Take Route 101W (toward Keene/Peterborough) to Rte. 13 South toward Brookline. After several miles, turn right at the blinking light onto Mason Road. The put-in is almost immediately on your right and is well-marked.

Alternate Directions: From Everett Turnpike in Nashua, take exit 6 to Rte. 130 West until you come to Brookline Center (maybe 8-10 miles?). In front of Daniels Academy in Brookline Center, stay straight on Meetinghouse Hill Road. At red blinking light, continue straight across Route 13 to Mason Road. Boat launch for Lake Potanipo is the second right, just before going over the bridge.

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.

Paddling Adventures on the Nashua River

Kayaking was on our agenda yesterday. Since we were a little short on time and the weather started out overcast and cool, we stayed close to home and went back to the Nashua River where Doug had seen so much wildlife last weekend. Once again, the wildlife was out in full force (and this time it was mid-morning). We also had two heart-pounding mini-adventures... more on those in a minute.

To begin with, the put-in near Stellos Stadium is wide and smooth (no rocks).

Shortly after leaving the launch area, we spotted the resident family of Mute Swans -- a Mama, Papa, and two babies or cygnets about 800 feet from us. As beautiful as these birds are, they can be aggressive toward animals and humans, particularly when there's a nest or babies involved. So we were trying to give them a wide berth by paddling over to the far side of the river, but apparently it wasn't wide enough.

The male swan started to charge my boat! (Photo by Dareen T.A> Bradnick used with permission -- just to give you an idea how big swans are.)

There was no doubt that Papa swan was striking an offensive pose. I learned later it's called busking -- his neck curved back and his wings half raised, he was coming at me pretty fast; they can reach up to 55 miles an hour. So I did the only thing I could think of: I paddled back toward the launch as fast as I could! Luckily, he backed off and didn't attack, but my heart was racing from that encounter.

Note About Mute Swans: They are fiercely territorial. While we were well aware that we shouldn't crowd them, I learned afterwards that they guard very large territories of anywhere from 4 to 10 acres. It's hard to keep that distance on a narrow river or small pond.

Eventually, the swan family retreated to the left bank of the river and we set out again, staying well to the right. Next we came upon an osprey nest. At the same time, various birds were darting around the river, including a Red-Winged Blackbird and what we think was a Northern Oriole. We also saw a great blue heron, a beaver, muskrat, and lots of Eastern Painted turtles, prevalent in this part of the state.

About a mile or so into our paddle, Doug decided to disembark on the riverbank. Here's where our second mini-adventure unfolded. He chose a spot with a fairly steep and muddy embankment. So as he tried to get out of the kayak -- you guessed it -- he took a dunk in the Nashua River, with binoculars, keys, wallet, and cellphone. (Can you say dry bag? Not!)

Naturally, his kayak started to fill with water and we didn't have a pump. (More on being prepared in a moment.) He succeeded in dragging the very heavy, water-filled kayak up aforementioned steep muddy embankment and emptied all the water out. Trouble now was that there really wasn't an easy way to re-launch. He tried again, only to end up in the water a second time! Luckily, his third attempt was the charm.


He was unhurt and we can laugh about it now, but we both learned a lot from this little mis-adventure. From now on, we'll bring a pump and probably a rope with us. Another Granite Stater who blogs about kayaking wrote an excellent post, Ten Things You Should Do Before Every Paddle, after she apparently had a similar experience last year. If you've never thought much about safety on the water, I encourage you to read Kim's post now. (Go ahead, I'll wait.)

The whole experience also got us thinking about what would happen if one of us dumped out in the middle of the river. Hmmm...we probably need to practice re-entering our boats.

Other than that, we had a great time on the Nashua River yesterday and would highly recommend it. If you go, just beware of the Mute Swans and stay away from steep embankments!

Directions: From Riverside Drive in Nashua, take your first left and head toward Stellos Stadium. Bear left and then right to a dirt road near the Public Works Garage and the boat launch.

Solo, Tandem or Group?

Fellow Paddlers from East Hampstead Kayaking Meet Up Group
Can we talk about our experience on our first group paddle last weekend? We both thought it was fun! To begin with, neither one of us was really sure if we would like being out on the water with a group, since we've been paddling by ourselves for three-plus years now.

Unless you count the few times we've been on a guided trip, like Kayaking with the Manatees in Florida or when we've taken family along -- we usually plan our own trips and go at our own pace. After all, part of the joy of paddling for us is the peace and solitude. But surprisingly, we did find it fun to meet others with the same passion and talk about their mini-adventures on the water.

I signed us up for the East Hampstead (NH) Kayaking Meet Up Group last year, but we didn't get to take part in an activity until recently. I love the whole concept of the Meet Up website. Their motto is something like, "Use the internet to get off the internet." In other words, meet people online with similar interests and then step away from the computer and go out and enjoy!

We met five other people (of mixed ages and paddling interests) at Dubes Pond in Hooksett and before too long, we had exchanged introductions and launched our boats. I was concerned about pacing, since I didn't want to have to keep paddling to keep up. Sometimes, I just like to sit and ponder the beauty around me. No problem there. I guess most people who are into quiet water kayaking feel the same way. If you rush to get somewhere, how will you enjoy what's there?

Bottom line? It was a good experience and we're looking forward to more trips with the group. In just two years, it's grown to include 440 members. Seems like there's always someone looking to get out on the water and if you don't see a trip that interests you, you can arrange one of your own. Check it out at East Hampstead Kayaking Meet Up.

As a side note, the subject of tandem kayaking came up as part of our conversation at Dubes Pond. Naturally, I had to relay the shortened version of our own experience in Florida in February. If you're contemplating buying or trying a tandem kayak, I invite you to read How We Lost Our Groove in Florida. Turns out another long-time married couple in our group had done it successfully, so there is hope. Just not for us!