Lonsdale to Ashton - Canal/River Loop - March 22, 2020

With everything going virtual, I decided to do a virtual tour of my morning paddle from Lonsdale to Ashton on the Blackstone Canal/River Loop. Great level – 2.5 feet, 800 cfs. Several blowdowns in the canal - one I had to get out and carry around. The run down the river was fun, but my battery died half way down. 

Canal/River Loop - Lonsdale to Ashton from Erik Eckilson on Vimeo.

River Island Park – March 21, 2020

I got out for a quick run this morning at River Island Park - paddle a mile down, walk a mile back. I only saw one other person - the homeless guy who lives behind the library - and social distance was maintained at all times. Level was around 3 feet, 950 cfs. I finally got to check out my new 56” paddle – I liked it.

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Hiking the Mighty Quin - March 14, 2020

Trail map for this trip

Ten of us from the Papa Joe Hiking Society defied the coronavirus quarantine for a hike along the “Mighty Quin”. This would be my forth hike along the Quinapoxet, which ties my four paddling trips there. 

We met at the Mass Central Rail Trail on Manning Road (265 Manning Street, Jefferson (Holden), MA) for a 4.5-mile hike took us along both sides of the river down to the old Springdale Mill. I got to revisit the site where I took a dump and swam on my last padding trip here.  This turned out to be a beautiful day for one of my favorite hikes with Joe and the crew.

Above the Springdale Dam - where I swam on my last trip here!

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Mass Central Trail

Wachusett Greenway

Wachusett Meadow Wildlife Sanctuary - March 8, 2020

Along Wachusett Brook

I didn’t see a paddling trip that looked good, so I decided to go for a hike with the Papa Joe group at the Wachusett Meadow Wildlife Sanctuary in Princeton, MA. I was late getting there because I missed the exit (twice), but fortunately the group was willing to wait for me.

Originally the Goodnow Farm and later the Crooker Farm, the Wachusett Meadow Wildlife Sanctuary was donated to Mass Audubon in 1956 and is now in permanent protection. The sanctuary includes 1,124 acres and 12-miles of trails through woodlands, wetlands, and meadows. We met at the Visitor Center (113 Goodnow Road, Princeton, MA 01541) for a 4-mile loop through the South Meadow, the wetlands along Wachusett Brook, past the Glacial Boulder, over Brown Hill, and back through the North Meadow. 

Papa Joe selfie of the crew

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Wachusett Meadow Wildlife Sanctuary

Martin Street Bridge – March 1, 2020

It has been a while since I had my whitewater boat out, so I decided to do a little park and play at the Martin Street Bridge. River was around 3’, 900 cfs.

Martin Street Bridge from Erik Eckilson on Vimeo.