Hot Spring Day

Went out on Wednesday (April 7th) with friends Denise Butwill and Pat Donovan - we launched from the Litchfield Town Beach about 10 am. There were quite a few people putting their kayaks in the water at that time. It was an incredibly warm day for early April. I think a temperature record was set before the end of the day - about 90 degrees! We went from the beach into the Bantam River. The beaver dam that's not too far from the mouth of the river was almost entirely under water because of all the recent rain. There have been times where we've had to get out of the kayaks and haul them over the dam - but on this day it was effortless to paddle right over. We saw lots of birds, a turtle hanging out on a log, and most interesting, a goose of some sort (maybe someone can identify once I get the picture up!) that was very content sitting in the sun on top of a beaver's lodge...and yes I looked up online what a beaver's house is called - it is a lodge!

We had a very pleasant paddle up the river, continuing under Chickadee Bridge and to the spot along Whites Woods Road where we often launch. At that point we debated turning around, but Pat said "let's at least get to Little Pond" and Kris said "the way back will be easier because we'll be going with the current." So, on up the river, under Sutton Bridge, into Little Pond - saw a great blue heron in the area of Little Pond, and the white swan that seems to always be there too. Very peaceful and hot at this point - a couple was fishing from Sutton Bridge and a few people were walking around the boardwalk. After relaxing a bit there, we started to head back, ready for our nice easy ride with the current carrying us. However - did not quite work out that way - as we began, the wind really picked up, and we had to work hard to paddle against the wind! We did have some breaks from that with certain turns in the river that got us out of the wind, but for the most part, it was quite an arm workout to paddle against the wind. The goose was still in the same spot on the lodge when we went back, and we also saw a beaver swimming around - which we thought was pretty unusual for that time of day - it was around noon, when they are usually sleeping. As we got back into the lake the wind was pretty strong and there were waves on the water to paddle against - got back to the beach around 1:00, tired but very happy with the ride and the weather, and wishing we had thought ahead to pack a picnic lunch to have at the beach - hopefully next time we'll remember to do that. Can't wait to go again!