BVO JOURNAL |
Cumberland, Lincoln & Central Falls, Rhode Island
Since we're only a year old we've had a lot of firsts at Blackstone Valley Outfitters, this past Friday was no exception. We had a group from Johnson and Wales University come out for a guided trip on the Blackstone. The group was there to study us, as part of the partnership that we have with the John H. Chafee Blackstone River Valley National Heritage Corridor. Unlike most national parks which the government owns the property, the park consists of 24 townships and is owned by the citizens of the area. That in itself would have been different for us but what was really different, they didn't cancel their trip do to rain. After their orientation with us and Ranger Suzanne, we headed out to the portage and the skies opened up with a long needed rain. At the portage, I found the river had already risen about six inches from last week and knew we would be paddling into coves we hadn't been able to enter for a couple of months. Once passed the Lonsdale Bridge a low fog covered the water. One student later told me she love the fog at the beginning of the trip. It made her feel like she was leaving the hustle and bustle of today and passing into the history of the river. Maybe it was the gray rainy day, but the foliage just popped with color. Rounding the first bend in the river a magnificent Maple blazed red through the fog and a Great Blue Heron took flight. All along the river birds could be heard and a pair of kingfishers gave chase overhead. During our trip the rain would come and go, the fog would lift and the wildlife was everywhere. In each cove we entered rafts of mallards and wood ducks would take flight. In Valley Falls Pond a raft of about twenty Mute Swans greeted us and one of the ospreys flew low overhead, searching the waters for a meal. Although the deer were bedded down and only one turtle showed itself, the winter backyard birds like chickadees, and cardinals could be seen. Heading back upstream with the autumn colors all around us, Ranger Suzanne asked if I had the wildlife on remote control. The three osprey escorted us upstream, several Great Blue Heron took flight and the chatter of the kingfisher followed us to the takeout. Live the Experience!
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