BVO JOURNAL

Woonasquatucket River

Providence, RI

Date: July 18, 2009

After a busy day at the store we took a group of paddlers for an evening trip on the Woonasquatucket River in Providence Rhode Island. Launching from South Water Street, we watch a group of college students making a film. Passing the Fish Company Restaurant, the outdoor cafe is packed with people enjoying the fine sunset over the Providence skyline. Getting bumped around by the wake of a boat in a no wake zone we head out with the tide and paddle towards the Hurricane Barrier. Cruising through the barrier, the river opens up, and the reality of how small we really are washes over me. Passing the tugboats along the east bank of the river the wind picks up, causing a gentle rolling action to the water. Crossing to the west banks the kayakers regroup, and paddle along the shoreline to the recently raised Russian Submarine. Once a tourist attraction, the sub sank during a hard storm. Just recently they raised her from its water grave and now continue to pump her out just to keep it afloat. It’s amazing, for the short time she was sunk, how fast the hull was covered with crustaceans and salt stain. The once proud black ship with its large bright red star now looks ghostly in the weaning light.

Returning up stream we pass once more through the hurricane barrier and under the Point Street Bridge. Continuing, the sun drops below the building skyline as music drifts through the air and the sounds of small talk can be heard from the sidewalk cafes. Different emotions run through us as we view people walking arm and arm to a homeless man sleeping on a park bench with his duffel bag as a pillow. At the Crawford Street footbridge a group of teenage girls’ call out and wave to us. Under the bridge the group makes room and veers left away from a gondola. A couple in the boat look at each other and sip wine as the pilot guides them down stream and serenades the two lovers. As the stars start to shine some of the paddlers turn on headlights and set the glow sticks attached to their kayaks ablaze. At the fork were the Woonasquatucket River and Moshassuck River merge we continue to the left and enter a small basin. Here, the gondolas call home. Passerby’s called out to us and wave as we disappear under another bridge. Soon we paddle under the Providence Place Mall and then turn around under the Route 95 overpass. The stars of the night are blocked out by the near by buildings and street lights. Using the light of the new Route 195 Bridge as our guide we make our way back to South Water Street and head home.

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