High Rock Area in the F. Gilbert Hills State Forest - July 23, 2026

At the Stone Staircase

This week’s hike with Bill and the crew was at the High Rock Area in the F. Gilbert Hills State Forest. We met near the Southeastern Massachusetts Emergency Communications Center (SEMRECC) at 100 High Rock Rd, Wrentham. We did a 4.5-mile loop down a section of the Warner Trail that includes the Stone Staircase (one of many structures built by the Civil Conservation Corps in the 1930’s), over to Sunset Ledge, past the Dolmen Rock and finally over to the shelter near High Rock before returning to the cars. We stopped for brunch at the Commons Neighborhood Eatery in Foxborough. 

The crew at the shelter - Al, Erik, Mike Bill and Danny

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F. Gilbert Hills State Forest

F. Gilbert Hills Trail Map

Warner Trail
Warner Trail Guidebook

Blackstone Gorge - July 22, 2026

After the thunderstorms past it turned out to be a great night for the Blackstone Valley Paddle Club trip at the Blackstone Gorge. I paddled tandem with Danny in my Spirit II. We put in above the Rolling Dam and paddled up past the Triad Bridge site to the old Millville Lock. We continued upstream, but the water was too shallow to get up to the Millville Rapids - at least for Danny and I. 

The sky around sunset

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Introduction to Sea Kayaking - July 19, 2026

Celebrating a successful assisted rescue

We had a great session for RICKA’s Introduction to Sea Kayaking – 8 participants, just about the right size.

The session was held at Wickford Harbor, which gave us a lot of options to find different conditions. We reviewed the gear you need for sea kayaking, worked on strokes (efficient forward and backward strokes, sweep strokes for turning the boat, draw and pry strokes to move the boat sideways, bow and stern rudders to hold the boat on a line or turn into the wind, edging, bracing and stopping), and rescue techniques (towing, assisted rescues and self-rescues). Everyone did great.

The crew

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A Week on Point Judith Pond

Our annual summer vacation at the beach ended today, so packing up to go home trumped paddling this morning. We had a shorter vacation this year, so I did all my paddling on Point Judith Pond. Fortunately there are lots of places to explore. I’ll be back next week to lead a trip for RICKA.

Snug Harbor – July 17, 2026

Point Judith Marina

I didn’t paddle this morning, but I got out this afternoon for a trip down to Snug Harbor.

Snug Harbor is a small village located on the western shore of Point Judith Pond just across from Galilee. In the early 1900's, Snug Harbor was known for its fishing and lobstering fleet with boats working the waters of Point Judith Pond, Narraganset Bay and the open Atlantic. Today, Snug Harbor remains an active harbor for commercial and recreational vessels.

Snug Harbor Light

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Port of Galilee – July 16, 2026

Fishing boat returning to the harbor

I didn’t paddle in the morning, but I was able to get out in the afternoon for a trip down to Galilee. The wind was blowing from the south and the tide was going out creating choppy waves and a strong current going through the Breachway.

The Port of Galilee was created in 1935 when a harbor was dredged and a dock constructed at the mouth of Point Judith Pond. Connected to the ocean by the Breakaway and the Harbor of Refuge, both completed in 1910, Galilee eventually became the home port for much of Rhode Island's fishing industry. I paddled past the fishing trawlers, lobster boats and charter before heading back to the cottage. There was lots of wildfire smoke from Canada that made the sky look grey.

Back at the cottage

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Bluff Hill Cove – July 15, 2026

Barrier beach at Sand Hill Cove

The wind was blowing again, so I stayed close to the cottage and paddle around Bluff Hill Cove.

Point Judith Pond, or the Great Salt Pond, is the second largest of Rhode Island’s South County salt ponds. Its southern end at Bluff Hill Cove is protected from the ocean by the huge barrier beach at Sand Hill Cove. I paddled out around the cove, getting bounced around by the wind and waves before heading back to the cottage.

View of the cottage form Frank's Neck

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