After work this afternoon, I departed my condo (1600) and drove to Sacred Heart, where I worked on the Paint Project for one hour (also got to say "hi" to Camille and Father Charles). Afterwards, I drove to Quechee and attended the Balloon Festival Volunteer Orientation (1730 to 1800). I got a T-shirt, wrist-band and some delicious pizza (from Pizza Chef). Also met some other hikers - what a nice evening! When the event was completed, I drove to check out Pinneo Pond (hoping to paddle there) - unfortunately, it was private and closed. Undeterred, I backtracked to Dewey Pond and found it choked with lily pads. Fortunately, a section of the Ottauquechee River was accessible from the same parking lot (Dewey's Landing) and this allowed me to take advantage of the remaining daylight afterwards by launching Tequila Sunrise. As I started (1830), it did feel a bit like I'd “settled”. However, the mile-long section of the Ottauquechee River (between the rapids below the covered bridge and the dam above the Gorge) had water was quite calm. It was also very shallow but full of wildlife. Along the way, I encountered a beaver, thousands of tadpoles, even more waterborne insects and dozens of bird species. Among the latter, I spotted several loons, probably 50 Canadian Geese babies, various kinds of soaring songbirds, juvenile herons and many large families of Hooded Mergansers. Almost none of my winged friends seemed spooked by my gliding kayak and I never got tired of watching their unique behaviors. The air was cool and dry and the sky was a spectacular blue. At times, it seemed like I was the only human on earth - but then a car would pass along the edge of the river and return me to reality. Finished by 1930, I drove towards home (via US-4 and US-5) and made a brief stop at Cumberland Farms in Wilder (for free items). Arrived at my condo by 2015 and settled into a nice evening with nearly every one of my windows opened to capture the pleasant air. The hour spent in the Gloaming on a lazy stretch of Vermont river was quite therapeutic!
