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: Exciting adventures on Seboeis River, Part I — Tiger Rips to Snowshoe Lodge
Forty years ago, my wife, Nancy, and I paddled the iconic Seboeis River canoe trip from Grand Lake Road west of Shin Pond to Whetstone Falls on the East Branch of the Penobscot with our friends John and Diane Stokinger. Twenty years later, I descended the turbulent upper Seboeis to Grand Lake Road with a […]
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Seniors Not Acting Their Age: New adventures on the Machias River, Part I — Airline Rapids to Little Falls
Forget the St. John, Allagash or St. Croix rivers. As far as I’m concerned, the Machias River is the best tripping river in Maine, maybe in all of the northeastern United States. A free-flowing river with a large watershed, it begins in the lakes region of northern Washington County. From Fifth Machias Lake, it meanders […]
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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 […]
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Seniors Not Acting Their Age: Exciting whitewater adventures on Kingsbury Stream
Paddling Kingsbury Stream in Abbot has been a Penobscot Paddle & Chowder Society spring tradition for decades. In recent years, club member Kyle Duckworth has coordinated the exciting whitewater adventure almost every April. Planning the excursion around the weather, ice and varying water levels is always a challenge. Starting after ice-out is a must. Determining […]
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Seniors Not Acting Their Age: Whitewater thrills and spills on Marsh Stream
For several years, the Penobscot Paddle & Chowder Society has provided safety for the Marsh Stream Canoe & Kayak Race. Traditionally led by Kyle Duckworth, each April, safety-minded club members enthusiastically volunteer their time to support this worthwhile paddling endeavor. There are added benefits for club members. Many Chowderheads participate in the downriver race. And […]
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Seniors Not Acting Their Age: Spring excitement on the Sheepscot River
Forty-five years ago, I experienced my first spring paddle on the Sheepscot River between Whitefield and Head of Tide with my friend, Bob Smith. Novice paddlers, we navigated an 18-foot tandem canoe wearing jeans, wool tops and old sneakers offering little defense from the icy water. We capsized in a Class II rapid about a […]
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Seniors Not Acting Their Age: Kayaking Spirit Pond and Morse River
Several years ago, while hiking with a group of friends on Seawall Beach at the end of Morse Mountain Trail in Phippsburg, we came upon the mouth of Morse River on the east end of the beach. A remarkably scenic location: several small barren islands are located just offshore and distinctive Sequin Island and Lighthouse […]
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Seniors Not Acting Their Age: Whitewater drama on Little Suncook River
Little Suncook River in south-central New Hampshire is a tiny whitewater creek more aptly called a stream or brook. Located in Epsom, the exciting descent flows west from Northwood Lake along Route 4 before entering Suncook River east of Concord. With the exception of spring runoff and after heavy rain, the diminutive freshet is rarely […]
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Seniors Not Acting Their Age: A surprise ending on Scarborough Marsh
Scarborough Marsh is the largest saltwater marsh in Maine. The 3,100-acre, exceptionally scenic estuary is home to numerous species of birds, fish, mammals and shellfish. When Shweta Galway announced a Penobscot Paddle & Chowder Society paddling trip on the marsh, my wife, Nancy, and I enthusiastically signed on. Six of us met at the Audubon […]