Woke up (early) to find that it was shaping up to be a beautiful day! I've usually got some outdoor activity plans in the queue and decided to take advantage of the opportunity. I left my condo at around 0815 and crossed the Connecticut River (using I-89) into Vermont. I then used I-91 to reach Springfield, where I'd noticed a nice walking path. After exiting the Interstate at VT-11, I located found a place to park my car near an old trestle bridge on Paddock Road. Starting at 0900, I took a nice walk on the Toonerville Rail Trail, which follows the Black River and connects Springfield with the Hoyt’s Landing boat launch. Initially, I focused on the section that walked directly into town. I enjoyed the pleasant temps (low 70s) and partly cloudy skies. After getting done with the first section, I moved my car (to the southeast on Paddock Road) because part of the trail followed the road for a while (I didn't want to walk that section). The other end of the trail, which reached Hoyt's Landing, was a winding path under the road and through thick trees. There was a bit of road walking at the end but, overall, it was a good stretch of exercise. Overall, I had great conditions for a nice 5.5 mile walk (completed in less than two hours). After getting back to my car the second time, I drove south (VT-11and US-5) to Bellows Falls. I then crossed the river back into New Hampshire (town of Walpole) and found a boat launch (1115). It was great to be able to put Tequila Sunrise in the water again for the first time in almost a month! Starting at 1130, I paddled upriver to the point where I’d last kayaked the CT - Herrick’s Cove (VT). It was quite windy and, despite my assumption I’d be fighting the current going north, I had a hefty tailwind for nearly the entire four mile section. It was so windy in places that I saw serious whitecaps! Even worse, there were a lot of motor boats passing - this set up some BIG waves and made me hug the shore as much as I could. Near my turnaround point, I found lots of other kayaks and canoes but it was clear they were starting from close to the landing. The Amtrak “Vermonter” rumbled by (on the NH side) right about this time. Reluctantly, I turned around and headed south, paddling hard but feebly fighting the stuff breeze almost all the way back. But I made it! Before leaving the water, I checked out the dam at Bellows Falls and the portage trail that is required for paddlers to bypass it (and the Falls). Finished my paddling after 8 miles (4 new on the CT) - a pretty good pace! After getting done (1400), I drove back over to the Vermont side of the river and got a Maple Creamie shake at Dari Joy in Bellows Falls. After enjoying that, I returned to I-91 (via US-5) and headed north. In White River Junction, I crossed the Connecticut River one more time (using I-89). Made a quick stop in West Lebanon (to drop off some empty ink cartridges at Staples) and then drove home (arrived before 1600). Great day outside!