Saturday, July 1, 2023

North Thetford, VT (USA)

I’ve been nursing some Bursitis during the last few weeks so have avoided high impact activities.  Today’s weather offered an excellent opportunity for working upper body muscles.  This morning, I left my condo (0945) and drove to a boat launch in North Thetford - from there, I hoped to tackle another section of the Connecticut River!  As I was unloading my kayak, I had to listen to the arguments of a nasty, drinking married couple during their attempts to launch and start their motorboat.  I was glad to be able to get in the water and sneak away... Starting (1020) from the boat launch on Bridge Street in North Thetford, I first paddled two miles south to the Lyme-Thetford bridge.  There was some wind and the current was actually working against me most of the way.  Fortunately, after checking out the construction/repair work being done on the river crossing, I got the benefit of the opposite effects on the way back north... I peeked into a couple of small inlets and watched mother birds (geese, ducks) herding their young into the shadows as I passed.  Close to my car, I got some amazing views and photos of a bald eagle!  Overall, the roughly five miles I paddled in 90 minutes (finished at 1150) was fun, energizing and interesting.  As I was packing up again, I talked to another kayaker who was also working on paddling the entire Connecticut River - he looked much more serious than me...  Before departing, I decided to take some photographs with a (borrowed) camera that I've been "vetting".  Nearby, a fisherman caught a huge fish but I wasn't ready.  Despite missing this opportunity, practiced using a newer, long, telephoto lens and got some good shots of insects, birds, boaters, etc.  Overall, I was amazed at the Nikon D7000 capabilities!  Just as I was getting back in my car, I saw guy with a "Cutters 34" shirt, which I remembered was a reference to "Breaking Away" (I complimented him on his taste).  I thought about doing more things outdoors (it was only noon time) but, instead, drove home (via US-5), arriving home by around 1300.  Glad to live so close to such a great paddling river - next time I return to the same boat launch, I plan to continue north towards Orford!