New ride

So........ after 12+ years with the same mountain bike, I decided to upgrade this year. Been riding the same Giant Iguana that has treated me well, which has also seen many upgrades over its life. Been a good bike, but felt it was time to retire it, at least to a part time position. The Giant doesn't quite want to jump into retirement, just kind of wade into it. So, I have to say I am the proud new owner of a 29er. Gary Fisher series, X-Caliber. And I like it.

Picked it up a couple weeks ago, but haven't had a chance to ride it yet, until today. And of course, my ars is riding into a headwind, both ways. WTF? That shit usually happens when I paddle, not ride. I guess for me and my out of shape ars from winter hibernation, its a good thing it was a short ride. A simple four miles with the half hour I had to spare. Check this Sweet Thang out folks........




I'm not feeling quite intimate with the ride yet, as I'm still trying to find my way with the 29er Geometry, but I'm digging the bike for sure. Looking forward to putting some miles on this sucker this year to supplement my paddle addiction. I see this one bringing me a dozen or so years of joy also.

The Mack is open for business and I am there

One word, folks. One word.... Refreshed! Ah it feels good to be in a boat again. I've had the spring itch since ice in back in December, and DAMN has it been a long winter. I've been watching the river from my kitchen window for weeks now and then suddenly, I awake yesterday to find open water up past welfare beach. And I'm like "no shit", thinking to myself can be this be it??

Needless to say, I go about my days business to return home at 2pm to find the ice gone. GONE! I take a drive up to Welch park scouting the river and it is free of ice. I give the wife a call to tell her I'm paddling and I head for home to pack my gear for an overnight trip. And pack did I do, fast!

Boats on the water at 4:30. However, I took a wet entry into the river trying to get my inaugural photo of the boat which packed, prepped and ready for action. I had my Neosports on so walking in water usually isn't an issue, however due to my excitement I failed to remind myself that this is still winter and the river bottom is still icy. Canon 5DMII in hand I hit that sheet of ice below the waters surface and frigging down I go. SPLASH! On my ars! I saved the camera though, so no big deal. Now kids, don't try this at home. I am a trained professional and had my neoprene wet suit on, so damage and cold averted. Laughing to myself, I say screw this and hop in the boat for my adventure down stream.

Paddling with the breaking ice is pretty cool. The above is one of the many ice sheets that either I passed by or passed by me at my campsite. This shot was taken just above Cretes beach and just after my attempt at photographing an Eagle with a 24-70mm lens. You noticed I didn't post any photos of eagles, right?



I camped at the high water campsite. A pristine site high on the bank river left that overlooks Cretes farm. Farther out back is a sandpit, but this is the spot to find when there's risk of rising water on top of already high water. My buddy Doug was checking the river gauges for me so I heeded caution this time and choose a high bank. The photo above is a view of the river from my campsite Sunday morning. Another ice sheet passing by with a beautiful view of Cretes farm across the river.



A view of my tent and campsite. I think I managed to find the only dry spot on the river to pitch my tent. Everywhere else was 3 feet of snow, which I had to walk through towing my boat to even get here.

Weather conditions for the day and overnight were mild. When I set off, the gauge was at 12 and rising which made for a surface speed of 3 mph or so, which to anyone else means easy, fast paddling. I had a couple sprinkles overnight but nothing to severe. Temps did get low and felt very cold just simply due to the moisture of the snow around me.



My trusted Mad River Explorer, affectionately named Envy.



Another view of Cretes field from my campsite which I'll conclude with this. One hell of a great 5 mile paddle and overnight trip, and I feel relatively confident I was the first guy to paddle the Merrimack River in 2011. Take that suckas!