Level 2 Trip July 24

[rfolster]

Today was a fantastic day for an easy paddle. Seven of us launched from Odiorne and made our way towards the bridge at Wentworth, where we found the flood current to still be running strong enough to make stopping to assess the passage challenging. The final call to just ride it through and collect up on the other side proved effective and enjoyable. After a quick chat about it all, we made our way through the inner bay with a healthy assist from the still rising tide. Discussions along the way included boat channels and how kayakers should interact with them.  Despite the multiple channels in the area, crossings were inconsequential. 
 

As we made our way up along Pierce Island, the current brought us quickly through the small channel requiring a hard right turn to make the eddy at Four Trees Island for lunch (thanks for the brownies, Al!!). 
 

After lunch, the chart was laid out for a review of the overall area and a discussion about going down the Piscataqua side. Challenges were discussed, and a walk out to the statue to have a better view allowed for the decision to go for it.   Once around the north point, it was obvious that we had hit the river at slack, as we encountered practically no currents or eddies. At least not until we got down to the lower end of the island, where we hit a massive north flow. Theories flying and debates current speed (maybe 2 knots?), we powered through the current field which offered no easy passage along the shore.   Once through the worst of it, we paddled on through the now ebbing current under the New Castle bridge and back into the inner bay.

The paddle back was leisurely and conversational, including more channel discussions. The ebb current at the Wentworth bridge was easily managed and even allowed for a run or two upstream. The day was finished off with Bill doing a few rolls before the final run back to the launch. 
 

Thanks to Sue, Brenda, Patricia, and Ricardo for coming along on such a fantastic day, and to Bill and Al for indulging in a bit of leadership practice and discussions. 

[Ricardo Caivano]

Thank you Rob, Al and Bill and fellow paddlers.. It was a very nice paddling day. Ricardo

[BLConaway]

Very enjoyable paddle. Thanks for organizing Rob. Great to meet everyone.

[SueM]

Thoroughly enjoyed the day and your company.  Thanks for the help/input with the kayak rack.