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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Borderland State Park - November 25, 2018

The crew

Usually I paddle at least once over the Thanksgiving holiday, but it didn’t work out this year.  Instead I did the Papa Joe hike at the Borderland State Park. 

Borderland State Park was of the former estate of the Ames family. In 1906, Oakes Ames and his wife Blanche purchased this land on the border of Sharon and Easton where they built a mansion and created a nature preserve with woodland paths and roadways and man-made ponds. Today the park includes 1,843 acres with more than 20 miles of trails including sections of the  of the Bay Circuit Trail.

We started at the main entrance, and hiked 6.3 miles around Leach Pond and through the park. It didn’t rain during the hike, but the many of the trails were flooded.  Still a good time.  

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A Windy Day on the Sudbury - November 10, 2018

Heading out - Erik, Bill and Al

After hiking last week, Bill, Al, Jonathan and I decided to do some paddling on Saturday. Throughout the week we debated locations, but potential rain, wind and high water kept us close to home. In the end, we decided to paddle the section of the Sudbury River from River Street/Route 27 in Wayland.  

The Sudbury - a National Wild and Scenic River - arises in Westborough and flows generally northeast for 41-miles to its convergence with the Assabet River at Egg Rock in Concord to form the Concord River. In Sudbury and Wayland, it forms the huge wetlands that are part of the Great Meadows National Wildlife Refuge. In hindsight these wide-open marshes weren’t the best choice on a day when strong wind gusts were forecast.

Portage at Pelham Island Road

Bill, Al and I had paddled up to the Route 27 Bridge from Sherman's Road back in August, so this would be continuation of that trip. We met at the put-in on River Road (Route 27) in Wayland, and checked out the Old Town Bridge before paddling west toward Route 20.  The water was high, the sky was cloudy, but fortunately we didn’t get any rain. 

With the high water, we had to portage the Pelham Island Bridge. As we continued upstream toward Heard Pond the wind picked up. After 3 miles, and knowing that we would be paddling into the wind on the return trip, we decided to turn around and head back to the put-in. Wind gusts of 25-miles per hour made for a long slog back – especially for Jonathan who was paddling solo. Even so, it was a good time.

The Crew - Al, Jonathan, Erik and Bill

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Sudbury River Boaters Trail

Hop Brook/Memorial Forest - November 3, 3028

Planning the trail

The forecast was for clouds and rain but warm temperatures, so why not go for a hike. I have been looking forward to the first hike of the year for Papa Joe’s “Winter” hiking group.  

The first hike was at the Hop Brook Conservation Area. Straddling the border of Sudbury and Marlborough, this 615 acre track of public and private land includes the Hop Brook Conservation Area, the Memorial Forest and Wildlife Sanctuary, the Marlborough State Forest, and other conservation land owned by Sudbury and Marlborough.

Heading out

Bill was at my house at 7:30 for the drive to the trailhead at 347 Dutton Road in Sudbury.  We had 11 hikers for this 5-mile loop. It rained on and off throughout the hike, and we were constantly avoiding flooded trails, but it is a great area with gentle terrain and lots of features. We stopped for brunch at the Sunnyside Café in Marlborough. 

Plenty of rain 

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Memorial Forest and Wildlife Sanctuary