Paddle on the left, more, uh-oh, too much, whew! We just missed that big rock! Never having gone on a canoe camping trip before, it was with some trepidation that we agreed to experience this. We felt confident with our companions who had done this activity many times before. Reed Goossen did a great job planning this four day, three night adventure paddling down the Connecticut river. We were guided as to what to bring, how to pack everything in the canoe, and what the experience would be like. A couple of planning meetings, multiple emails, and finally the eight person, four canoe trip was ready to go.
We drove to Caanan, NH where we unloaded boats, and then spotted a car down river where we would end the journey. The Connecticut River winds its way starting in Canada as a small stream, forms the border between Vermont and New Hampshire, continues through Massachusetts, down to Connecticut and exits as a major river into the Long Island Sound. Our journey would take us from put-in at Caanan, NH to take-out at Guildhall, VT about 50 river miles.
So, one of the first things we learned is that you can fit a lot of gear in a canoe! Tent, bedding, lantern, food for 4 days, water, cooking pots, clothes, flashlights, and a myriad of other stuff. It all has to be lashed down in case of a tip over. Then each night it needs to be unloaded and camp setup, then reloaded in the morning.
In most places it’s a slow, easy river with periods of ripples along the way and only one tricky bit on our route. Along the river are group camping spots, some with a picnic table, and all with a privy. Rafting together, sharing stories, with the river gently carrying us along…how great it was!
As newbies it took us a couple of days to get into the routine - load up, paddle, eat, paddle, unload, setup camp, eat, clean up, bear-hang your food, sleep, repeat. Time slows down with no house chores or other obligations and your world narrows to your boat, your friends, and the river. Reed and Kathy had brought a screen tent which was a blessing for us all to escape the on-shore bugs. Our group of eight was compatible and fun!
So, remember the one tricky bit that I mentioned? There is one spot where there is an old dam and the river narrows and the water rushes faster. So, the first canoe navigates this and slips through the narrowed opening with ease, second one makes it OK, the third is successful, and then we come along. Well, we couldn’t quite get the canoe in the right place and we broadsided into remnants of the concrete dam. Fortunately, we were able to inch our way along the dam and get through the narrows. No rescue needed!
It was a great experience and we enjoyed the people, scenery, river, camping, sharing meals, conversing, paddling, and escaping normal life for a few days. We highly recommend though that you have your accomplished canoeists give you all the tricks of the trade so that you can enjoy your paddle.
Would we take a canoe trip again, absolutely!
We drove to Caanan, NH where we unloaded boats, and then spotted a car down river where we would end the journey. The Connecticut River winds its way starting in Canada as a small stream, forms the border between Vermont and New Hampshire, continues through Massachusetts, down to Connecticut and exits as a major river into the Long Island Sound. Our journey would take us from put-in at Caanan, NH to take-out at Guildhall, VT about 50 river miles.
So, one of the first things we learned is that you can fit a lot of gear in a canoe! Tent, bedding, lantern, food for 4 days, water, cooking pots, clothes, flashlights, and a myriad of other stuff. It all has to be lashed down in case of a tip over. Then each night it needs to be unloaded and camp setup, then reloaded in the morning.
In most places it’s a slow, easy river with periods of ripples along the way and only one tricky bit on our route. Along the river are group camping spots, some with a picnic table, and all with a privy. Rafting together, sharing stories, with the river gently carrying us along…how great it was!
As newbies it took us a couple of days to get into the routine - load up, paddle, eat, paddle, unload, setup camp, eat, clean up, bear-hang your food, sleep, repeat. Time slows down with no house chores or other obligations and your world narrows to your boat, your friends, and the river. Reed and Kathy had brought a screen tent which was a blessing for us all to escape the on-shore bugs. Our group of eight was compatible and fun!
So, remember the one tricky bit that I mentioned? There is one spot where there is an old dam and the river narrows and the water rushes faster. So, the first canoe navigates this and slips through the narrowed opening with ease, second one makes it OK, the third is successful, and then we come along. Well, we couldn’t quite get the canoe in the right place and we broadsided into remnants of the concrete dam. Fortunately, we were able to inch our way along the dam and get through the narrows. No rescue needed!
It was a great experience and we enjoyed the people, scenery, river, camping, sharing meals, conversing, paddling, and escaping normal life for a few days. We highly recommend though that you have your accomplished canoeists give you all the tricks of the trade so that you can enjoy your paddle.
Would we take a canoe trip again, absolutely!
