Mascoma Slalom! From social media, I'd learned about a whitewater event that was going to take place close to the Packard Hill Covered Bridge (Lebanon) and decided to stop by to watch. I left my condo at about 0900 and did some errands (Staples and Walmart) in West Lebanon. Afterwards, I drove to the far eastern edge of Lebanon and managed to find a parking spot near the beginning of the race course. From the bridge, and several other locations along the Northern Rail Trail, I watched several brave souls taking on the rapids in one of our local rivers today - yikes! This was my first time attending the historic race and it was great to cheer for the competitors as they navigated a series of 18 gates. Some of these targets had to be navigated from downriver to upriver - that looked really hard. Was most impressed by the people who tackled the water with canoes (!). Most used two ended (kayak) paddles but one guy came through with a one-ended (canoe) paddle - he was quite good. Got wonderful views of the action from several places. There wasn’t much drama but a few folks wiped out in spectacular fashion and their boats were swept downriver to the dam near the town limits of Lebanon. Talked to lots of other attendees, a few of the race officials and a couple of participants. Finished my fun just after noon and headed home (arrived at 1230). What a fun day!
