Cumberland, Lincoln & Central Falls, Rhode Island
During our repeated trips we were able to watch life return to the river valley. The plant life started off brown, yellow and bare of leaves, but shortly the sunlight filtered through the plants in hues of light purple and green. Finally by months end the vegetation gradually unfolding their leaves to a bright green. Even in the water the brown shoots changed and became water lilies. The green rubbery leaves and bright yellow flowers reflecting on the water added to the birth of a new season. Remembering our autumn trips with large rafts of waterfowl, we were hard pressed to find any birds afloat. Although, if you peered deep into the reeds you could catch a glimpse of a Canada Goose head pop up here and there. Looking more closely, another crouched down in their nest. On the peninsula in Valley Falls Marsh a mute swan sat in the largest nest of reeds I have ever seen. On our first paddling trip this spring the group paddled to the edge of the wetland for a better look of the swan. Both kayakers and swan a like were startled by a white tail deer that erupted from behind the nest. This would set a standard for the month of May, on every float trip from one to three deer were spotted. Not to be out done, the waters of the Blackstone River offered many fond memories this spring. Who could forget the exploding battle of two snapping turtles trying to extend ones territory, or the pile up of painted turtles on half submerged trees. Who could forget about the carp, swimming in a crazed fever in every cove. The ten-pound fish ramming kayaks causing startled laughter from the paddlers. Yes our 2007 paddling season came in like a lion but many will not forget it.
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The 2007 spring paddling season along the
Blackstone River came in like a lion. With a typical New
England Spring of cold temperatures, rain, snow and
flooding we didn't start really paddling till the last
weekend in April. Almost every weekend during May we ran
guided trips along the Blackstone with side journeys into
the Lonsdale Wetland and Valley Falls Marsh.