Sunset Paddle

Date: July 19, 2008
Time: Just before sunset
Length: about 1 1/2 hours
Place: Plug Pond Haverhill
Distance: n/a
Grade: B
Notes: Just and afternoon paddle around the Pond. Today was a very warm day so it was nice to get on the water after it had cooled down a bit. While paddling, the public beach closed, so after everybody cleared out, we paddled to the shore, beached the kayaks and went for a very refreshing swim.

Biking the Minutemen

Date: July 15, 2008
Time: late afternoon
Length: about 2 1/2 hours
Place; Minuteman Bikeway. Bedford to Cambridge, but we only went halfway, which was Lexington
Distance: 13 miles round trip
Grade: B
Notes: Converted train path, now a smooth flat asphalt trail through neighborhoods in Bedford,and Lexinton. Path goes right by historic Lexinton Common, site of the famous "Shot heard 'round the world," and the site of the first battle of the American Revolution.

Gardner on the Water

Date: July 14, 2008
Time: Late Morning
Length: about 2 hours
Place: Lake Gardner, Amesbury MA
Distance: Once around the main perimeter of the lake
Grade:B
Notes: First time around the lake in the kayaks. Sarah joined me, and we paddled to the other side of the lake where we found a small put-it area. We got out of the boats for a few minutes and had snacks before heading back to the main lake area. Water was smooth as glass for a while, weather was overcast and hazy with a few patches of sunlight showing every once in a while.

Maiden Voyage

Date: July 11, 2008
Time: Late Afternoon
Length: about 1 1/2 hours
Place: Plug Pond, Haverhill, MA
Distance: a couple of times around the lake
Grade: B
Notes: Our maiden voyage with the new Kayaks. Of course, they almost got tossed on the side of the road with all the problems we had getting them home. But the short time we spent on the water as the sun began to set, was totally worth it. We had Sarah along for this ride and it was her first time kayaking. She was a bit scared, but eventually got into it and really enjoyed it.