Each fall, Horace Lake Dam in Weare, New Hampshire, releases copious amounts of water into the narrow North Branch of the Piscataquog River. The drawdown is usually scheduled for mid-October. The result is about 5 miles of Class III/IV whitewater that tumbles through a scenic rural environment. Participation in the recreational release has become an […]
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Seniors Not Acting Their Age: Whitewater follies on the New River
After an exciting paddle on the Gauley River on the first day of our Penobscot Paddle & Chowder Society West Virginia whitewater trip, seven of us decided to descend the New River Gorge, another renowned West Virginia river. Trip leader Ryan Galway and I paddled a two-person inflatable craft called a shredder; two canoeists and […]
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Seniors Not Acting Their Age: Almost heavenly West Virginia whitewater
In my opinion, West Virginia has more outstanding whitewater than any state east of the Mississippi. For nearly two decades beginning in 1990, my friends and I traveled to West Virginia almost every spring and fall to challenge its steep rivers and creeks. Then we got old, some passed, and we stopped making the semi-annual […]
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Seniors Not Acting Their Age: To Islesboro and back
A paddling trip to Islesboro begins with a 3-mile open-water crossing of West Penobscot Bay. During a prior outing, I was part of a group that encountered gusty winds and rough seas when we returned from the island. So, planning a cruise there entails careful analysis of the weather in advance, particularly winds. After watching […]
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Seniors Not Acting Their Age: A traverse of Megunticook Lake
In my opinion, Megunticook Lake is one of the most picturesque lakes or ponds in Maine. The lofty cliffs of Mount Megunticook rise abruptly from the eastern shore. A multitude of islands and small peninsulas populate the 1,300-acre lake providing myriad opportunities for exploration by kayak or canoe. The largest body of water in Knox […]
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Seniors Not Acting Their Age: Surprises abound on Sebasticook River
A paddling trip on Sebasticook River between Clinton and Winslow offers boaters a variety of stimulating adventures. The 5-mile sector between Clinton and Benton Falls Dam is almost continuous quick water and includes three distinct whitewater rapids. Below the dam, there are easy rapids followed by a steady current to Winslow. Predominantly undeveloped along the […]
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Seniors Not Actig Their Age: The Dead River never gets old
My initial descent of the Dead River was in June 1986. It was love at first paddle. In the intervening years, I’ve returned with friends and family over 200 times. For me and many others, the excitement and allure of the Dead never gets old. Beginning in small lakes and ponds in western Maine, the […]
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Seniors Not Acting Their Age: Hazardous paddling on Cathance River
The Cathance River is my river. Not really, but I like to think so. Located in my hometown of Topsham, the Cathance travels through a picturesque wilderness area, most of which cannot be accessed without hiking or paddling. Judging from the placid waters at the put-in and takeout, one would never guess a tumultuous whitewater […]
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Seniors Not Acting Their Age: Continuing adventures on Sebeois River, Part II — Snowshoe Lodge to Hay Brook Landing
On the second day of a three-day Seboeis and East Branch of the Penobscot River canoe/kayak trip, three of us awoke at Snowshoe Lodge on the Seboeis River. Built by Butler Conservation Trust in conjunction with the Seboeis Riverside Trail, the exceptional cabin provides unusually elaborate accommodations in a remote river setting. Riverside Trail begins […]
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Seniors Not Acting Their Age: Weaving the Webb River
Hidden away in the rural community of Carthage, except for locals, Webb River is relatively unknown. Whitewater boaters are an exception. Each spring, scores of enthusiastic paddlers converge on the Webb as soon as ice is out for some excellent Class II/III whitewater. A free-flowing river, it’s unique in that a comparatively large watershed keeps […]