Decided that I would stay in town for the day because my dad was planning to take me to Maine for a hiking trip the following day. At 0900, I went to workout at UVAC in White River Junction (30 minute swim, rowing machine, reclining bike, weights). I was finished at 1030 and drove a short distance to Lyman Point Park. It’s been a while since I kayaked near home (because I’d had so many great weekends for hiking) but today I was able to resume my paddling trek of the Connecticut River! After a lengthy portage from the parking lot, I put Tequila Sunrise into the White River (at the river junction), and paddled upstream to the Wilder Dam. Unlike the water above the dam, which is almost a lake, there was a definite current that required a lot of energy to overcome. Some fishermen told me I’d just missed a big water release upstream too - that would probably have been too hard to resist... Ultimately, I probably only paddled about three miles total (including the out and back) but it was a great stretch of River. Despite being close to town, I didn’t see any people and encountered a lot of wildlife: beavers, huge hawks, herons, brown ducks and big fish. The Dam itself looked ominous from the downriver side and there were some rocks near it that showed lots of water wear. After finishing, I realized how much I’ve missed exploring the Connecticut - hopefully, it won’t be too long before I’m able to continue my paddle to the sea! Afterwards (1230), I drove back into White River Junction so I could sample the food at an iconic BBQ joint: Big Fatty's. The place is an "experience" and definitely lives up to the hype! I also enjoyed some Hill Farmstead beers while I was there. Loved the ambiance. Explored a bit nearby and found a local brewery (they didn't allow sampling). By 1330), I was back in my car and drove (via US-5 and VT-10) into Hanover so I could hike my fifth (of eight) Hanover Trails Challenge hikes at Hudson Farm. It was a much simpler/easier route than most of the other trails I've tried this summer... Got home by 1500 and did some packing to prepare for when my dad arrives tomorrow.
