2021 Year End Review

Upper Winni - New Year's Day

With the COVID-19 pandemic at its peak, the year started off with a walking shuttle on the Upper Winni on New Year’s Day, and a couple of bike shuttles along the bike path at Crystal (January, Frebruary, March). Otherwise I stayed close to home – River Island Park (February, March), Martin Street Bridge and the Branch.

That started to change after I got fully vaccinated. I did my first car shuttle  on the Pemi in April, and paddling returned to a more normal schedule. I didn’t do a lot of whitewater, but I did get back to some old favorites - Otter Brook, Tville, Knightville and the Upper Millers.

Riverton section of the Farmington

I did a couple of trips that I hadn’t done in years with Bob Rankin and the Hackensack River Canoe & Kayak Club – Housatonic – Cornwall to Kent and Farmington - Riverton. It was also nice to get out on some new trips – Dedham Loop on the Charles, the Quinebaug - Danielson to Canterbury (low water, high water), the Housatonic – Sheffield to Falls Village and the Lakes Region on the Charles.

I only did two Blackstone Valley Paddle Club trips – Riverview Landing on the Quinsigamound, and the 20th Anniversary at Sycamore Landing. I did a virtual Flatwater Leader Training for RICKA in April, and I led RICKA trips at Bold Point in Providence, Point Judith Pond, Alton to Bradford on the Wood/Pawcatuck , Natick to Framingham on the Charles and Sheffield to Falls Village on the Housatonic. I also helped Bill with his Sudbury/Concord trip.

Brown's Ledge at Tville

I did 55 trips, which is two less than my 12-year average of 57 trips. I had two swims – one on the Pemi and other at Tville. If we count Umbagog Lake as ME, I also paddled in all six New England states. Here are some of my more significant trips:

• January - Winnipesauke - Tilton, Farmington - Crystal
• February - Farmington -Crystal
• March - Farmington - Crystal, Branch River Icebreaker
• April - River Bend Farm, Pemi – Thornton to Campton
• May - Otter Brook, White – Hancock to Stockbridge, Housatontic – Cornwall to Kent, Farmington - Tville, Quinsigamound – Riverview Landing
• June - Umbagog Lake, Charles - Dedham Loop, Farmington - Riverton
• July - Providence, Westfield – Knightville, Point Judith Pond
• August - Blackstone – Manville to Albion, Charles – Medfield to Natick, Wood/Pawcatuck – Alton to Bradford, Sudbury/Concord – Lincoln to Bedford, Quinebaug – Danielson to Canterbury (low water)
• September - Quinebaug – Danielson to Canterbury (high water), Millers – Athol to Royalston, Quinebaug – East Brimfield Lake to Holland Pond, Wickford Harbor
• October - Housatonic – Sheffield to Falls Village, Blackstone Gorge
• November - Wallum Lake – RICKA Turkey Paddle, Charles River Lakes Region
• December - River Island Park, Blackstone - Albion to Manville, Martin Street Bridge

Here is my favorite trips video from RICKA Movie Night.


Favorite Trips 2021 from Erik Eckilson on Vimeo.

I paddled almost every day of my summer vacation on Great Island, including a RICKA trip during the Blessing of the Fleet in Galilee.


South County Vacation from Erik Eckilson on Vimeo. 

I did get out for a spring camping trip with Bill and Earl on Umbagog Lake.


Camping on Umbagog Lake from Erik Eckilson on Vimeo. 

In the fall we used Taconic State Park as the base camp for day trips on the Housatonic from Sheffield to Falls Village.

Housatonic Foliage Weekend from Erik Eckilson on Vimeo. 

Hiking at Noanet Woods

I did a few hikes, but COVID put a bit of a damper on that as well. The year ended with a nice hike at the Hodges Village Dam.

• Noanet Woods
• Diamond Hill
• Wachusett Meadows
• Rocky Narrows
• Hodges Village Dam

With COVID, my resolutions for 2021 were more aspirational than realistic. I did get vaccinated as soon as possible, and I did do some camping. I didn’t take a whitewater class, get back to the Dead or practice rolling. 

Turkey Paddle at Wallum Lake

In terms of resolutions for 2022, they are a lot like 2021.

• Do some paddling in southern Maine - I got the perfect paddling guide from Justin for Christmas.
• Keep camping - hopefully the Allagash in the spring, and I would love to do a guided trip on the St. Croix.  Who knows, maybe Michelle and I could get out with the new sleeping pad that I got from Justin for Christmas.
• Paddle more whitewater – I’m still feeling rusty, especially with the new boat.
• Get back to the Dead – always a great trip
• Practice rolling – I’ll keep including it until I do it

Fortunately, there are still plenty of rivers to paddle, plenty of trails to hike, and plenty of places to go camping. Happy New Year everyone