Paddle Season Begins

I finally got my kayak into the water Sunday afternoon. I can't believe I waited this long!

Sunday was a hot steamy day with crisp clear blue skies. In short the perfect day to put paddle to water.

Since this was the first outing I chose a familiar stretch of the Charles for my trip. I put in just off route 30 near route 128 in Newton. (For those who know the area the put in is across the river from the Charles River Canoe & Kayak rental shop. From there I headed upriver towards Weston and Wellesley.

Moving upriver on this section of the river you first make your way under route 30, then the turnpike before entering a quieter stretch that passes by Riverside Park. Next up are the route 128 bridges, before passing through the relative quiet of the Leo J. Martin golf course.

This is not the most remote section of the river, and even late on a Sunday afternoon there was quite a bit of company on the river. I'd expected that since the rental shop does a pretty brisk business and it was such a gorgeous day. Once I got to the golf course I was basically alone. I explored a little further than I ever have before, going well beyond the golf cart bridge.

As is typical when I get out on the river, I didn't want to turn around. I have a watch that hangs on my life vest, and before I put in I decide how long I can paddle. But as I get near and beyond the time to turn around I'm forever making deals with myself - "I'll turn around when I get to that big tree" or "I really need to turn around at that rock". It's a lot easier when there is a natural impediment to continuing - a dam, low water level or the like. Responsibility did win out and I turned around and headed back downriver.

It's always fun to begin a trip heading upriver and end it heading downriver. By approaching a trip that way the end of the trip is an easier paddle. The river is high enough, and I was close enough to a water fall that the current was fairly strong and pushed me back downriver.

All in all it was an auspicious, if late, beginning to the paddle season.