The Christmas Canoe

Another one to save for the future...

Not sure it beats my big red canoe Christmas Story, but it is good. Ray saw this on Facebook and posted about a Quebec beer - La Maudite - that uses the flying canoe as its logo. It evokes the legend of La Chasse-galerie - the flying canoe - that tells the story of men who would made a deal with the devil to fly home in a canoe to spend a night with their loved ones. This also earned another poem from Tom.

a Chasse-galerie,
the Devil put in play.
Feather paddle through sky. Curse words won't fly.
Avec mon cher dans Christmas Day.
TW

Links:

The Christmas Canoe

Santa Paddle at Wickford Harbor - December 2, 2023

Santa's elves are ready to launch

Its that time of the year when Santa visits cities and towns around the country to get kids excited for Christmas. Usually he arrives by fire truck, but in the coastal village of Wickford he arrives by fire boat, and RICKA members dress-up like elves to escort him down the harbor into town. This year, Michelle decided to come along as well to watch and take some pictures from shore.

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.

This elf is 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 a Festival of Lights 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.

We arrived at the put-in at the end of Main Street next to Gardners Wharf Seafood at around 11:30 to decorate our boats and get our elf hats and candy canes from Pat. At around 12:10, Michelle walked down to the dock and the rest of us headed over to meet up with Santa for the paddle into town. I am always amazed at the crowd that gathers for this event. 

Santa Paddle at Wickford Harbor from Erik Eckilson on Vimeo.

And I got another poem from Tom - this time on Facebook.

What is appeal

neath cone of teal

with a Blitzen towards the bow?

Well is not it pleasant

that behind the present

canoe there's an elfish pal?

TW

Links:

My Pictures

My Video

"Twas the Night before Winterstorm" - Whitewater Kayak Version

Twas the night before winterstorm, when all thro' the watershed,
Not a creature was stirring, not even a biped.

The booties were hung in the rafters with care,
In hopes that a rainfall soon would be there.

The skirts were nestled all snug in their bins,
While posts were made of splats’n spins.

A paddler with pet, and a drink on tap,
Had just settled to plan their spring melt-chasing map.

When out on the river there arose such a clatter,
They sprang in the van to see what’s the matter.

Away to the window they flew like a flash,
T’weren’t no shutters, and stuck was the sash.

The moon on the crest of the rain swollen river,
Gave reminder that in cold water we shiver.

When, what to the wondering eyes should appear,
But a whitewater kayaker donning immersion gear.

With a happy paddler, so lively and quick,
They knew in a moment it mustn’t be a trick.

More rapids to ply, the friends they came,
And some whistled, and shouted, and call'd them by name.

Now Dagger, now Dancer, now Pyranha, and Prijon,
On Torrent, on Remix, on Rewind and Antix.

To the top of the eddy! To the big bow stall!
Now paddle away! Paddle away! Paddle away all!

As dry leaves before the wild hurricane fly,
When they meet with an obstacle, boof to the sky.

So up to the rock-top the paddlers they flew,
With lungs full of noise - and hoots ‘n hollers too.

And then in a twinkling, their AW app did ping,
Announcing and notifying each river crest-ing.

As they drew on their pogies, and stomped all around,
Down the chute, their seal launch was found.

They dress'd all in Gore, from the head to the toes,
And the clothes were synthetic right up to the nose.

A bundle of ‘biners were in a dry sack,
And they look'd like the real paddler, and not some hack.

Their eyes - how they twinkled! Their dimples how merry,
Their cheeks were like roses, each nose like a cherry.

Their water splashed mouths were frosted with snow,
And the faces of winter paddlers had such a glow.

The stump of a grabloop and the knife frozen in sheath,
And ice crusted helmet encircled the head like a wreath.

They had frosty faces, and a whole lot of joy,
That showed when they laugh'd of Winter A’hoy.

They were bundled and frump, like that jolly old elf,
And you’d laugh when you saw them in spite of yourself.

A wink of the eyes and a twist of the torso,
Soon gives you to know we had nothing more, so.

They spoke not a word, but went ahead through the water,
And surf'd all the waves; then roll'd as an otter.

And finally laying the boats on their edge,
And giving a nod, t’was the final party surf on a ledge.

They sprung to their cars, to turn on the heaters,
And away they all flew, the cold downtrodden beaters.

But we heard them exclaim, ere they drove out of sight
Happy Paddling to all, and to all a good night.

This version adapted by Brad Walker

Santa Paddle – Wickford – December 4, 2022

Santa's elves 

I was debating what to do this morning, and my options included a Hop Brook hike with Papa Joe, a Crystal run with Paul D. or the RICKA trip escorting Santa into Wickford Village. I opted for the RICKA trip in Wickford, and was happy when Paul L. decided to join as well.

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.

This elf is 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 a Festival of Lights 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 10:30 to decorate my boat with reindeer, elf and candy cane cut-outs. We met Santa around 12:15 for the paddle down to the Town Dock. I am always amazed at the size of the crowd. After escorting Santa, we took a little time to paddle the backwaters of Wickford.

Santa Paddle from Erik Eckilson on Vimeo.

Links:

My Pictures

My Video

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.

Links:

My Pictures
My Video

Upper Ware River - December 1, 2013

Matt and Santa Mike

I got up early to go to the gym, and saw Santa Claus walking down Diamond Hill Road.  He didn’t have a big bag of toys, but he was carrying a Price Right bag full of groceries (only in Woonsocket).  When the day starts like that, you know it has to be good – and it was.

After much back and forth by email, I got together with Santa Mike, Chuck, Marshall, Doug and Matt for a poling run on the upper Ware River from So. Barre (42.3864 -72.097) to Hardwick Furnace (42.343812,-72.157774) – about 6 miles.  We had run the lower section from Hardwick Furnace to Church Street a couple of years ago.

Marshall takes a break

I met Mike and Chuck at McD’s  in Uxbridge for the ride out to the river.  I saw two accidents on the way to McD’s due to black ice, but the sanding trucks were out on the highways by the time we hit the road.  Its a good thing we got a little later start.

We arrived at the river at around 10:30 and ran the shuttle. With last week’s rain, the river had come up to a decent poling level – 3 feet, 50 CFS on the Barre gage. This section of the Ware is pretty with lots of twists and turns.  We stopped at Wheelwright Dam for lunch, and played for a little while in the quickwater below the dam. We arrived at the take out at Hardwick Furnace at around 4:00. 

 

Santa Mike

Links:
My Pictures

Barre gage

Paddling in a Winter Wonderland

Temps are up to our liking

Rivers high, gages spiking

Its a beautiful day, let's get out and play

Paddling in a winter wonderland.

All geared up for cold water

Canoes and yaks all in order

We sing this short song, as we go along

Paddling in a winter wonderland.

On the river we can catch the eddies

That form behind the rocks and near the shore

We head downstream and bounce along the surf waves

We laugh and play and then we hope for more.

River run, it is magic

Long drive home, we'll hit traffic

But now we’re outside, enjoying the ride
Paddling in a winter wonderland.

My version of the poem that I first saw on the PenobscotPaddles blog. 

A Paddler’s “Night Before Christmas”

T’was the night before Christmas, and out on the water,

Not a creature was stirring, not even an otter.

All the dry bags were hung by the chimney with care,

In hopes that St. Nicholas would drop paddling stuff there.

The boaters were nestled all snug in their beds,

While visions of surf-waves danced in their heads.

And Mama in her pogies, and I in my cap,

Had just settled in for a long winter’s nap.

When out on the river there arose such a clatter,

I sprang from my bed to see what was the matter.

Away to the window I flew like a flash,

Tore open the curtains, and threw up the sash.

The moon on the water looked the whiteness of snow,

It shone like mid-day on the river below.

When what to my wondering eyes did appear,

But a big red canoe without a single reindeer.

With a little old paddler, so lively and quick,

I knew in a moment it must be St. Nick.

He ran the big rapids, the drops and the falls, 
then he whistled and shouted and I heard him call.

"To the top of the porch! To the top of the wall!
Now paddle away, paddle away, paddle way all."

Off the river and into the air he did fly,

In a beautiful silhouette against the night sky.

More rapid than eagles to the housetop he flew,

The canoe full of gear and St. Nicholas too.

And then from the roof-top there came a great sound,

The sound of a canoe running aground.

As I grimaced at the noise thinking there must be a hole,

Down the chimney came St. Nick and he snapped up with a roll.

He was dressed in a drysuit from his head to his foot,

And the gortex was tarnished with ashes and soot.

A drybag of gear he had flung on his back,

And he looked like a paddler as he opened his pack.

But his eyes how they twinkled! His dimples how merry!

As he stopped for a swig of his Sailor Jerry.

He was a happy old paddler, a right jolly old elf,

And I laughed when I saw him in spite of myself.

He spoke not a word, but went straight to his work,

After filling the drybags he turned with a jerk.

Then laying a finger aside of his nose,

A brace he did do, and up the chimney he rose.

He sprang into his canoe and with a blow of his whistle,

He shot off the roof like water-borne missile.

But I heard him exclaim, as he paddled out of sight,

“Happy Christmas to all, and to all a good-night”. 

A Christmas Story – and its true, honest

You’re probably not going to believe this, but its true. I saw Santa Claus, and he was not in a sleigh being pulled by reindeer. He was in a canoe - a red canoe.

Here’s what happened. It was Christmas Eve a couple of years ago. I had finished all my shopping, so I decided to take my canoe out for a short trip.  As I was unloading my gear, I looked downstream and saw what appeared to be a man in a red suit poling up the river.

I ducked out of sight as he approached, and watched him push up a small drop...

... and head upstream.

I decided to follow him.  Eventually, he pulled off the river where a small group had already gathered. Curiosity got the best of me, so I pulled my boat up on to shore, and walked over to talk to them. I learned that the man in the red suit was Santa Claus, and the small group that had gather by the river were his elves. 

I also learned that much of what I thought I knew about Santa was wrong.

• First, Santa doesn’t live at the North Pole - he lives in Rhode Island.
• Second, Santa doesn’t deliver toys in a sleigh pulled by reindeer - he delivers them in a red canoe that he poles up to the rooftops.
• Third, Santa’s favorite drink isn’t hot cocoa - its Sailor Jerry. He says that it does a better job of keeping him warm on those cold December nights.

When he was ready to leave, he offered us some Sailor Jerry.

Then he headed off to begin his night’s work.

I know its amazing, but its true. Pictures don’t lie.  ;-)

Links:
Ware River - December 6, 2009
Ware River - December 2, 2013

Ode to snow melt (and drysuits) by Matt M.

‘Twas two days past Christmas, and all thru the state
The snow it was melting, the weather was great

Message board was a perking, but the gages were ice
With some optimism, we thought paddling ‘d be nice

Came Tommy, Craig, Erik, 2 Jeffs and a Scott
Wade and a Sparky, Al, Aaron, dang that’s a lot

Tommy he e-mails, says “I’m gonna’ pole”
Well I gotta’ join him, can’t just be one a-hole

Well, the gages they’re spiking, but now it’s too late
Dumoines already loaded, 3 poles on the tailgate

I tell Al the new guy, it’s a real scenic run
More scenic than exciting, it’ll still be fun

Well seems two feet of snow melted and it’s fifty degrees
Throw in a new put-in, I’m just thinkin’ “Jeez”

What the heck am I doing, poling on a whim
I know what’d feel better, think I’ll take a swim

Now that feels better, swimming is fun
Guess the feelings mutual, ‘cuz in plops my son

Well swimming may not have been part of the plan
But throw in some snow melt and one broken dam

Well we do recover, another swim, no big deal
So in goes Craig and Al, flippin’ for real

Well return on investment they taught me in school
Since we’re all wearing drysuits, we’re loose, pretty cool.

This was written by Matt M. and was inspired by a late-seaon run on the Salmon River.  It was posted on P-Net, but was too good to lose.

Yes Virginia, there is a Santa Clause - December 6th

I saw him yesterday poling a Mad River Explorer on the Ware River.  He sometimes goes by the name Mike, and he was accompanied by seven elves – Chuck, Tommy, Marshall, Matt, Sean, Mena and me.

We had a fun day on the Ware River in Gilbertville, MA. Eight boats (six Explorers - Mike, Chuck, Tommy, Marshall, Matt and Sean, one Dagger Reflection - Mena, and one Mohawk Whitewater 16 - me) put-in at Hardwick Road and poled down to Upper Church Street – about eight miles.

When we arrived at the put-in at around 10:00, the area was covered with a thin blanket of snow - not as much as we had received in RI, but still pretty. The river starts off as flatwater with an occasional riffle.

About a mile above Gilbertville the rapids begin. The AMC guide and American Whitewater rate them as class II/III, but that is dramatically overstated - at least at yesterday's water level (Ware River near Barre, MA - 3.5 ft., 110 cfs). At the bottom of the first set of rapids there is nice ledge to practice attainments. Sean pushed up with no problem, as did Mike, Tommy and Matt. I made it half way up, only to get spun sideways and pushed back downstream.

Below the Route 32 Bridge the river is shallower and picks up speed – avoiding rocks becomes a major challenge as Tommy found out the hard way. Not wanting to ruin my perfect record, I also took a swim a little further downstream.

After loading the boats, we reconvened for pizza and beer at Hardwick House of Pizza - another great day.

Links:
My Pictures
River Description from American Whitewater
Directions to put-in from Google Maps