2018 Year End Review

Ice-out on the Quinebaug 

2018 was a funny year in terms of weather. The rivers froze up early, so I didn't get out for my usual New Year's Day paddle. I did a hike with Bill instead. After bone-chilling cold in early January, the rivers iced-out in mid-January, and were open for the rest of the winter. I did a lot more paddling in January and February this year than I had ever done before. Then we had the second wettest fall on record – great weather for paddling. 

Lincoln Woods with Michelle

I did 62 trips, which is a little better than my nine-year average of 59 trips. Little Suncook was the only new river this year, but I did paddle two new sections of the Sudbury River in Sudbury and Wayland. I led BVPC trips at River Bend Farm and Chocolatville, and one RICKA trip on the Pawcatuck from Richmond to Bradford. I also ran a tandem canoe training for the June RICKA meeting, organized the RICKA SUP Night, and did a RICKA Sea Kayak trip with Tony in his tandem sit-on-top at Fort Weatherill.

Stokers on the Scantic

I did couple of Tville trips, the Scantic, and Otter Brook with the CTAMC. I did the Upper Winni and Little Suncook with the NHAMC. I had two swims this year – the bottom of Staircase on the Scantic and the play hole at Tville. 

Here are some of the more significant trips:

• January - Quinebaug, Blackstone – River Bend Farm to Millville
• February - Willamantic, Blackstone – River Island Park to Manville, Upper Millers
• March - Lower Millers, Branch River Icebreaker, Scantic
• April - Upper Millers Again, Knightville, Upper Winni
• May - Otter Brook, Pawcatuck – Alton to Bradford, Tville
• June - Upper Wood River, Fort Weatherill, Fife Brook
• July - Lower Deerfield, Narrow River
• August - Sudbury River in Sudbury, Upper Millers Again, Taunton River
• September - Tville Again, Lincoln Woods with Michelle, Westfest
• October - Little Suncook
• November - Sudbury River in Wayland
• December - Santa's Reindeer in Wickford, River Island Park

Here are some of my favorite trips from the 2018 RICKA Movie Night.

Paddle On from Erik Eckilson on Vimeo.

I paddled almost every day of my summer vacation in South County - we had some rainy days and fog this year.

Scenes from a South County Vacation from Erik Eckilson on Vimeo.

I did two camping trips on the Upper Connecticut River with Bill and Jonathan - Canaan to Bloomfield in the spring.

Upper Connecticut River from Erik Eckilson on Vimeo.

And Woodsville to Orford in the fall.

Connecticut River Camping from Erik Eckilson on Vimeo.

Papa Joe crew at Borderland State Park

I also got in a few hikes with the Papa Joe hiking group.

• Purgatory Chasm
• Quinapoxet
• Hop Brook
• Borderland State Park
• Callahan State Park

In terms of my resolutions from last year, I didn’t do so well on rolling practice, but I did get some camping in. Resolutions for next year;

• Step-up my whitewater paddling - I need to get on some more challenging rivers
• Get back to the Dead this summer
• Do another Connecticutt River camping trip – maybe Lunenburg to the Woodville
• Practice rolling – I’ll keep including it until I do it - need to go to a rolling clinic

Overall it was another great year, and there are still plenty of rivers to paddle, plenty of trails to hike, and plenty of places to go camping. Unfortunately, today I am fighting a cold, so the last day of the year will be spent on the couch resting up so I can paddle on New Year's Day 2019! 

Callahan State Park - December 30, 2018

This year started off with a hike, and ended with a hike.  I joined the Papa Joe group for a hike at Callahan State Park.

Callahan State Park includes 958 acres of woodland in Framingham, Marlborough and Southborough. The park is managed by the Department of Conservation and Recreation and includes 7 miles of trails for hiking, mountain biking, cross-country skiing, and horseback riding. Parking areas are located on Millwood Street, Edmands Road, and Broadmeadow Road.

We met at the trailhead on Edmands Road in Framingham. The trail looped through softwood and hardwood forests with a few streams to cross.  Unfortunately, I got called out early due to an issue with my Mom, but it was still a great hike. 

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Callahan State Park Trail Map

River Island Park - December 29, 2018

I stayed local yesterday and spent a couple of hours down at River Island Park – about a half-mile of quickwater with a couple of easy surf waves.  Usually the best surf spots are below the Bernan and Court Street Bridges, but yesterday those were washed out and the best surfing was directly below the Woonsocket Falls at the Globe Bridge. Level was 3.5 feet, 1,700 cfs. I paddled down and carted my boat back.  Not a bad way to spend the morning.

River Island Park from Erik Eckilson on Vimeo.

Manville Dam - December 15, 2018

Five years ago today I went paddling down at the Manville Dam. I was back there again today for a late afternoon paddle. The temp’s were warm and there was no snow on the ground this year. It was nice to take a break and get out on the water for a little while.

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Santa’s Reindeer – Wickford Harbor – December 1, 2018

Santa's Elves at the beach

I was debating what to do this morning, and my options included a hike with the Papa Joe group (always a good option), a run on the Quabaug (I need to do that again) or an easy trip escorting Santa into Wickford Village. I opted for the easy trip in Wickford.

Wickford is located on the West Passage of Narragansett Bay, and is built around a large, well-protected harbor. It was settled in the early 17th century when Roger William purchased land from the Narragansett Indians and established a trading post. Wickford grew to become a major port and shipbuilding center.

Ready to go!

Today, Wickford is a picturesque village whose waterfront streets are lined with shops, restaurants and colonial-era homes. Each year the North Kingstown Chamber of Commerce organizes the Festival of Lights in the village with holiday themed actives. Since 2010, RICKA has participated in this event by escorting Santa down the harbor for his big arrival at the Town Dock.

I arrived at the put-in at the end of Main Street next to Gardners Wharf Seafood around 11:30 to decorate my boat with reindeer and elf cut-outs. We met Santa around 12:15 for the paddle down to the town dock. I was amazed at the size of the crowd. After escorting Santa, we took a little time to paddle the backwaters of Wickford.

Santa's Reindeer Paddle from Erik Eckilson on Vimeo.

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