I'm glad to hear it helps! Thanks for the feedback.

Probably just that the guys I was paddling with wanted to do it that way. I wasn't the one planning that trip. The first time I did it (solo), I finished my trip at South Hadley. I had a hard time that time, because the "takeout" in South Hadley looks like nothing but a small gap in the weeds from the water, so I wasn't at all sure where it was. Be sure to take a look at it first if it's convenient.

@@CTRiverNomad Thanks for the heads up, that's what I read as well, that it is easy to miss. I really wanna be able to eventually say that I paddled as much of the river as is possible, so I am going to opt for the portage, and look silly rolling my canoe around the streets of South Hadley

@@ChrisDodge That's what I would do too if I were doing the trip. I kind of get a kick out of portaging through a city. I like to feel I'm making a little bit of a sensation.

Thanks Chris! Enjoy your trip!

Enjoy your trip. I haven't filmed King's Island campsites yet, but it's really nice; lots of room there. There is (or was at least) a free portage shuttle service around Holyoke Dam offered by the hydroelectric company. Also, if you're interested in including some rowdy class 2 rapids, I have a video of the Turner's Falls rapids. There's a bridge to a path to the water behind the Great Falls Discovery Center in Turner's Falls.

@@CTRiverNomad I'm putting in at the Poplar St access point, and pulling out at the Charter Oak Landing access point in Hartford. Gonna walk the boat through South Hadley around the dam

I'm not sure how much time it took, but the distance from where we put in seems to be about 7 miles.

There's the challenge. Well, one of the challenges. Finding companions in the journey can be challenging too. Thanks!

@CTRiverNomad yep...until then...I'm just gonna keep exploring around here. I do recommend the Adirondacks...spent a week in late spring ...Saranac Lake region...not sure if you've ever been...but if not...I'm sure you'd love it...I look forward to getting back there when I can...great place made for people who love to paddle like you

@@thepeacerunners I'd really like to paddle up there sometime, and maybe section paddle the Northern Forest Canoe Trail. Not in the works for this year though. I ran the whole flowing section of the Delaware River in June, which was great!

@CTRiverNomad Hopefully I can get back up there before the end of the season 1 more time...if not definitely going back next year...you are welcome anytime if you'd like. My brother in law did that river and loved it also!

Thanks for catching that. I just corrected it in the description, though of course I said it wrong in the video as well, and that's not so easy to correct.

Ok. Good to know.

Enjoy your trip! I did note in my journal that the mosquitoes were bad at Wantastiquet Campsite, but otherwise I'm not sure. It will generally vary from campsite to campsite. You can check my campsite videos; I may say more about bugs in them, and they'll give you a tour of the campsites. I treat my clothing with permethrin before I go. I had high flow conditions for this particular trip; not sure where the flow will be when you go.

We try to get other people to join, and the other people usually ignore or refuse the invitation. We could certainly talk about it and consider whether we would work well together.

You can contact me on Facebook if you're on Facebook.

Wethersfield Cove in Connecticut ?

South Street East in Raynham, MA.

I canoed large sections of this when I was younger (with another person), and I am now considering doing the section between the Oxbow, and the portage that's near the Canalside Rail Trail Bridge. I was curious if you could tell me just how rough you would consider this section to be. I've been kayaking for less than two years, so I find the Connecticut River to be a bit intimidating.

@@valleypioneer Thanks; glad to hear that the campsite videos have been helpful. I've filmed most of the campsites on the river; I'm just missing the state of CT, which is actually where I live, and various other sites here and there. Are you thinking of starting in Turner's Falls and going down to the oxbow in Northampton? If I remember right, that should be pretty calm water - if you start at Poplar Street Launch in Turner's Falls. If you start just below the Turner's Falls Dam, the first 3 miles will be some pretty rowdy class 2 with a class 3 option, and I would only recommend it if you've got a good boat for whitewater and the requisite experience. That being said, I've only done it at high flow; I'm not sure what it's like at lower flows.

Thanks for subscribing. For this video, I had the GoPro Hero9 mounted to my helmet, but I have since bought a Hero10 as well. The 10 is better than the 9. I haven't tried anything newer than the 10. I almost always film whitewater day trips with the helmet camera, though now I often have the second camera on the deck in front of me, facing forward or towards me. On kayak camping expeditions, I film with a camera on a tall pole behind me and the other camera on the deck in front of me. All of the mounts except the helmet mount are from Ram Mounts. I attach the top-loading composite tough tracks to the decks of my boats and then use a track ball. The front deck camera is generally just on a double socket arm and the pole in the back is one I built from their components with a socket on each end.

Thanks! I am using an Insta 360 ONE RS, clamped to the front of the cockpit, as I am crossing Florida… which is starting to get warm!!!

Thanks. I debated back and forth about portage videos, and I ended up including that footage with the river touring videos instead of doing separate portage videos. Of course, I edit it or speed it up, so it's not terribly boring. In June we're going to paddle the Delaware River from the top to where it turns tidal.

@@CTRiverNomad I just figured out that you had connections with Tina D. When you say top of the Delaware, is that River Mile 330?

@@timwalsh2486 Yes, we'll actually be starting .6 mile above there on the West Branch. We're open to other people joining if you're interested.

If you're interested, look me up on Facebook, or ask Tina to direct you to me.

Yeah, I thought about actually explaining that, but I decided to just let people notice the half paddle in one clip and then the paddle with the big clunky repair in the next, though you do clearly say, "My paddle broke."

I didn't find any footage of that one time I did a fast lap of the rapids though, which was disappointing. Not sure when that was.

It was a lot of fun, highly recommend!

Thanks! I still have one more short kayak camping trip to edit from last year. Then I have a big trip coming up in June: Delaware River.

@CTRiverNomad Awesome! That should be a great trip. I have the Adirondacks in May that I may film...up till now I've only filmed hiking videos...but canoeing is my first love...i havent figured out how i wanna film canoeing yet. You do a great job with all your trips...I admire you guys that do a great job narrating and filming..all mine are silent cuz I don't wanna talk lol...look forward to watching your travels...keep doing what your doing. It's great. Be safe

@@thepeacerunners Cool. Sometimes it takes a bit of editing to make the narration make sense, and I'm usually doing it in multiple takes. Of course, it can be done after the fact in the editing process, but for some reason I rarely do that. It took a bit of experimentation to figure out how I wanted to mount my cameras too. I'm using various Ram Mounts products. Some of it, I bought the parts and assembled them myself so I could get the length just right. You do want to make sure any tall booms you have can fold down if they hit a tree or something for safety's sake.

Cool. It's a fun river; I haven't been there in a while though.

Connecticut River is the best place that I know of nearby. I've done all of it at least once. I have videos of most of it on my channel, as well as video tours of many of the campsites. There are campsites all the way, though in CT, some of them are state park campsites you have to book and pay for. The Northern parts are my favorite. This website (www.connecticutriverpaddlerstrail.org) is a good resource; it has an interactive map, but if you look in the "maps" tab, you can buy 2 waterproof maps, and also a cell phone app. I highly recommend both the waterproof maps and the cell phone app. Enjoy! If you want to drive further, Northern Forest Canoe Trail is an option. If you really want to punish yourself, the Wampanoag Canoe Passage is good for that (I have a video of that also). Delaware River is the next stop for me (200 miles with no dams!).

Not sure what that means, but these campsite tour videos are for informative purposes for those who are planning to paddle the CT River and want to see what the campsites look like. This video is not for entertainment.

Cool. What have you done so far? Much of the Quinebaug?

@@CTRiverNomad I havent ventured into the Quinebaug yet, spent last year playing around on the farmington with friends, but hoping this year I get plenty of time on the quinebaug!

@@kevinhill242Cool. Quinebaug is a lovely river. From Fabyan to West Thompson Lake is a favorite stretch, and it's navigable even in somewhat dry weather. West Dudley to Fabyan is also quite nice. From Sturbridge to Westville Lake requires higher flow conditions and has a great whitewater run at the end. Actually, I like every section of the river.

@@CTRiverNomad I will definitely be checking them out as it is the backyard!

I definitely had to stop and think about whether I should continue the trek or not once Dean pulled out, but I'm glad I went on. It would definitely be easier dealing with the obstacles with a buddy, though.

Yeah, he's not quiet, though I did turn up the volume a little there. When I looked at my footage from that night and my footage from the next morning, I could see that there was another branch from that tree that was gone by morning, so the way through was a little less constricted in the morning.

It's the same note as the E chime in Elizabeth's tower, which is what Westminster Quarters starts with. The bell named "Big Ben" is much bigger and deeper. ru-vid.com/video/%D0%B2%D0%B8%D0%B4%D0%B5%D0%BE-wqslA_CKub8.htmlsi=VJifmxhToSoFYfRd

Thanks for checking it out. Burrage Pond is a pretty cool place, except for the mosquitoes.

@CTRiverNomad keep posting all your information! It's great to watch, and documentation we need! My grandfather taught me a lot about canoes, fishing, animals, and nature!

@@barbarad2730 The good news since I made this video is that the Satucket River is going to see some cleanup efforts to clear the trees in the water. Sounds like it will happen in the next year or two.

On this particular trip, I had my throw bag on the deck, with the rope unsecured, and it deployed itself when I did one of the rapids. I keep it inside the boat now. I do have a bow line on this boat though, which may not really be necessary. I'm used to it being a necessity with sea kayaking and kayak camping. It does get used on this boat, but probably not much. I do way more class 1 and 2 than class 3.

@@CTRiverNomad The bow lines are fine they shouldn’t be an issue it’s just other loose ones are a hazard. If it’s inside now it’s fine!

Thanks Rick! It was nice meeting you! That might be the first time we've run into another paddler on that section of river; all the more surprising that it should happen in January!

I’d like to join the race April 30, we shall see, Rick said it was a blast. Thanks for putting the video out there so quickly Greg!

@@chrisalbrecht7342 Now you need a race boat to paddle! You could try my Yukon.

you guys ran the race route. put in turners field, take out the boat ramp inside westville. it's a great event!!@@chrisalbrecht7342 run by the sturbridge lions. I'll remind you guys when they update the date, etc.

@@chrisalbrecht7342 race is 04/28 hope to see you there!

I believe it is labeled "From Meneelys' West Troy N.Y. 1862." The building is not that old; this bell had been in a different building before this one.

I don't think I'm the person you're thinking of. My last name is spelled differently from how you spelled it anyway.

Apologies, I was trying to establish a timeline of events relating to The Compleationist, and was trying to get more info on a man that used to be a sort of co-host to his show before they had a falling out. And if it had any relation to Jairds current situation.

It's definitely my go-to boat for the majority of trips. A lot of the rivers in my area have intermittent class 1 or 2, so it's great for that. You clearly have better rolling skills than I do, but I'm improving.

It's definitely easier with a group. The Taunton River Stewardship Council is currently working on plans to clean up the trees in Satucket River, so that should help the cause, though their timetable isn't set yet.

I made the trip from my house on West Monponsett to the Elm Street Bridge on Stump Brook in April 2023. There are going to be upcoming efforts to alleviate some of the issues in Stump Brook so that the Herring may finally be able to reach Monponsett.

@@defaultmodeexitg3285 Interesting. So are they going to build fish ladders? Do you happen to know if they raised the water level on Monponsett when they built the current dam?

@@CTRiverNomad A new fish ladder was installed this fall on the dam between Robbins Reservoir & Robbins Pond. The herring will be able to make it to Monponsett if some sluices are removed at Stump Pond (where you removed them to get through). Some of the old bog dams in Burrage need to be removed as well. The old Stump Brook Dam did raise the elevation of Monponsett by several feet. I believe this dam was build a long time ago, but it's had some recent upgrades.

@@defaultmodeexitg3285 Thanks for the info. So the herring are not far away! They're definitely active in Pembroke on Herring Brook; I believe there are dams in Herring Brook; I'm not sure if they open the sluices for the herring run or if there are ladders. From what I've heard, it sounds like Stetson Brook was once a navigable brook flowing into Monponsett Pond, whereas it's currently a swamp. My suspicion was that the change was caused by the elevation of the lake being raised by Stump Brook Dam. Stetson Brook has almost no elevation change; it's basically on a level with Monponsett Pond, so a swamp is the result. Maybe I'll manage to cut my way through it some day. When I went back after this trip to try to conquer Stetson Brook, at one point I went in a circle. In the end, I ran out of time and turned back, probably 100' or less short of my goal.

It's very impressive! It was built in 1866 and is still open to vehicle traffic. 449 feet total, with 204 feet as the longest span!

In June of this year. I bought a second camera before my Wampanoag Canoe Passage trip so I would have a backup. What I do with the second camera varies depending on the trip, but more often than not it's pointed back at me, with the main camera on a boom or on my helmet.

Yeah, it's just general mayhem and bedlam. At moderate flows, you can see and understand the structure of it. Maybe people who do it a lot at moderate flows can really understand what's going on at this flow rate.

I didn't hit everything quite the way I wanted; that boat does have a bit of a turning radius. It didn't seem to matter much, though, as the boat wasn't much inclined to tip even when I took waves broadside.

Thanks! How far up have you started on the Taunton? If you haven't done it, there's a nice section of Satucket River that is much less clogged with debris, from the end of Robbins Pond to Satucket River Access. Most of the trees in the Satucket are after that. There's a link to a map of the Wampanoag Canoe Passage in the video description.

@CTRiverNomad I've done the whole Taunton...I know some of the trees you had to go around and duck under...I often head from that boat launch you found down to the Nemasket...at peak foliage its beautiful in that area...your film is the best I've seen on the passage. Congratulations..! That was a battle...I often wondered if clearing the way in the fall once the leaves are gone and doing it in the spring before the leaves return would make it more passable? Only problem is the water is alot colder and your looking at alot of weekends...lol...even more than I thought after watching your film...but you battled thru it...Well done my friend...Great accomplishment!!

@@thepeacerunners Yeah, and my film didn't show nearly all the blockages that were there; I thought it would be very tedious watching if I showed them all, and some couldn't really be captured on camera very well. It could be cleaned up with a group, but summer may be a better time because of water temperature, and also because some of it is quite deep, so it's not like you'd just be in it up to your knees. The various culverts between Monponsett Ponds and Robbins Pond are on of the other difficulties.

@CTRiverNomad wow...I've heard it's a beast in alot of areas...it's a shame it's never been cleared...like you said. It would have been well cared for when it was a main travel route...it must have been a sight to see. Its beautiful country that it passes thru..I'm sure alot of invasive plants have closed it off from what it once was as well. You are right also...that the lack of access is what leads to areas being neglected. I see this in forests as well. The places with the least access to the forest trails and roads are the places where trash is dumped and people sneak in to party and leave a mess...because there's no access there's no connection to the places where people who would actually care for them and clear and clean them up. The most pristine places I've seen are the places that encourage access...a culture develops around caring for those places they become connected to...I know there are people who take care of the Taunton...it's become a real nice place to paddle...hopefully the state will see the value thru films like yours to do something to clear this historic and important route.

@@thepeacerunners Well said!

yea it's true

Yes, it's the same note.