Trips

Sunday, May 17, 2009 Lake Lillinonah, Newtown, and the Shepaug River, Bridgewater, Flatwater trip

Leader: Jean Trapani, Co-leader: Dale Geslien. This trip was cancelled due to cold weather, occasional winds, water temps still in the 50’s, and rain.

Saturday, May 23, 2009 Menunketesuck River, Clinton/Westbrook line,Flatwater trip

Leader: Jean Trapani. Faced with another rainy day possibility but more sheltered waters and warmer air temps, we took a chance and went ahead with the trip. Some folks who were caught up in an early morning downpour elected not to attend because putting the boats on the car would have meant getting soaked to start with, while others stayed home not willing to risk a cancellation at the launch site. The 12 who went forward were rewarded with a surprisingly nice day, mostly sunny with occasional clouds darkening some parts of the sky until they breezed away. Forests absorbed most of the wind, but we did have a burst of forceful air as we crossed over to the sandy beach for lunch at the mouth of the river, while looking closely all around for sail and power boats so as not to get in their way in the channel. Actual paddling time was about 2 hours, with a peek further north under the bridge next to our launch site when we returned to it for those who had the curiosity and energy to proceed. Many people had really nice longer kayaks, which increased the overall speed of the group. Osprey zoomed above us, and we enjoyed viewing their nesting activity. This is a wonderful place for late spring/early summer when the water is still cold and an unexpected wind can happen on the Sound. A good way to get in shape for the summer paddling activities while not over-using your arm muscles.

Many thanks again go to Lisa Spencer who introduced me to this river. We miss you Lisa.

Saturday, June 20, 2009 Housatonic River Milford to Shelton

Tom Ebersold. I had one attendee, as many people canceled in advance due to various reasons. With an eye on the weather, we headed north along the river, stopping to explore a small cove north of the launch on the Milford side. Along the way, we saw several different bird species, some of which we were not able to identify. The mountain laurel was in full bloom along the banks of the river. The cove was the only place we saw another kayaker that day. As the skies darkened a bit we turned south shortly past Sikorsky Aircraft and paddled down the Stratford side of the river. Normally, I would not have paddled that side of the river, as it is the channel used by powerboats, but we had only seen one boat at that point. There was an interesting set of rock formations along the Stratford side, plus some small waterfalls created by runoff from nearby Rt. 110. When we got down near a series of "islands" that are really just reedy mud flats, the river moves away from Rt. 110, so that hum went away and we explored a hidden area along the shore which was blocked by one of the islands. We turned around at the I-95 bridge where an unexpected current escorted us into the marina area by the Dock Shopping Center in Stratford. We paddled hard under the I-95 bridge and the railroad bridge where the current lessened considerably. Since we were not paddling according to my original plan, we had to work a bit against the outgoing tide as we returned to the launch along the Devon power station, which has a long frontage on the river. Total time was about 3.5 hours. Total distance was 10 miles. I expect I will lead this trip again in 2010 and will hopefully have better weather.

Sunday, July 12, 2009 Lake Lillinonah, Newtown, and the Shepaug River, Bridgewater, Flatwater trip

Leader: Dale Geslien. Three of us enjoyed spectacular sunshine under bright blue skies as we launched from Pond Brook, followed the brook out into Lake Lillinonah and paddled our way up the Shepaug. We were a colorful flotilla in yellow, orange and lime green kayaks. The lake was fairly quiet at our 10:00 a.m. start. We pondered the ownership of the open space at the confluence of Lake Lillinonah and the Shepaug River. As we started up the Shepaug, John pointed out a Great Blue Heron perched stoically on a branch lying in the water. As we continued on, we admired the few shoreline homes we started to see as well as a club we learned was in Southbury. The other side of the river is Bridgewater. We lunched on the warm rocks where the Shepaug runs over rapids coming out of the woods, gradually broadening and ultimately flowing into Lake Lillinonah. The ever observant John pointed out a walking stick insect near my feet which he did not want me to disturb and I took the opportunity to take a photo. Having reached our destination and finished lunch, we began our return paddle along the same route in reverse. As we approached the land of open space, we were able to make out a boundary marker claiming ownership by Promisek. A Google search yielded a website of www.promisek.org which describes the owner as “a Catholic educational and environmental association dedicated to facilitating the emergence of an authentic lay spirituality for our time, in dialogue with people of other faiths.” The non-profit is centered on the 300 acre Three Rivers Farm in Bridgewater, CT. Of particular interest is the fact that in 1921, Beatrix Farrand, a founding member of the American Society of Landscape Architects, designed the garden for Dr. Frederick Peterson, a noted New York neurologist. He entertained family, friends and clients on the 300-acre property, situated at the confluence of the Shepaug and Housatonic Rivers. By the time Promisek acquired the property in 1978, all traces of the garden's former glory had been buried under years of overgrowth. In 1992, Roxbury resident and sleuthing garden historian Pamela Edwards rediscovered the historic value of the walled garden, and a restoration began using the plan found in the Farrand archives at the University of California at Berkeley. The garden will be open to the public on the last Sunday of each month through August from noon to 4 p.m. Guides will be available to answer questions about the garden and property history. Trail maps will be offered for visitors as well. John spotted a life jacket washed up on shore and did his Leave No Trace good deed for the day by retrieving it and hauling it back for proper disposal. As we approached the boat launch, activity had picked up and we were glad that our sojourn was fairly peaceful. Carole’s suggestion to stop at Ferris Acres Creamery, the last working dairy farm in Fairfield County, was the perfect ending to a wonderful day on the water.