Saco River Trip - Day 3

Ah.... day three. We awake to a heavy frost, smoke on the water, a receding river and a fire already going compliments of Scott's hard work. The view downstream is easterly from our site with the sun (which we haven't seen much of) working hard to make its way through the low lying clouds and mist. Our lines and painters are frozen in place from the nights chill. One of the best things about waking this morning is day light savings where we gain an hour.

A view of the campsite looking downstream. Doug's Mad River Malecite on the right.

We stoke the fire and begin to motivate ourselves around camp. Doug makes the coffee in his almighty coffee pot, a.k.a. the AMC, which has more miles on it than Doug has himself, and Scott rips open a package of marinated steak tips which he quickly throws in his skillet for a hearty steak and eggs breakfast. We eat, we take care of business and begin to break camp about 8:30 and on the water by 9:00.

The markings of some strange creature called Fiddleheads who appear to not understand our ways. They mark many trees in some primitive form with strange writings and graphics called "signs" that we have yet to understand. They seem to not want us paddlers around.

A chilly paddle off this morning the temperature feels to be dropping, not rising. We run into two other paddlers in an Old Town Penobscot camped a mile or two downstream from us in the high grass. They put in Friday also and were headed downstream for Hiram, which is another nights camp and day's worth of paddling. Their motive on the water this time of year was the same as ours. A late season paddle without anyone else on the river, avoiding the summer rush and feeding frenzy of alcohol and ignorance this river is so popular for.

A chilly paddle off the river, Doug paddles just above the Brownfield Bridge where we take out.

Aside from the airplanes we can hear a few miles away at the local municipal airport, it was an unbelievably quite paddle off this morning. Not much wildlife stirring in the woods or water as everything must have already headed south for winter and I think the deer and squirrels went too.

We get to the takeout at Brownfield Bridge about 11am and begin our shuttle. Doug and I get to the truck to find the temperature at 34 degrees. Scott awaits Doug and I, and pulls our gear and boats up from the landing. A much appreciated effort.

Total downstream miles for the day about 8. Total miles for the trip 24. Mission accomplished. To Doug and Scott, thanks for a great trip.