Canoe trip: CT River and Selden's Creek

We're not all that sporty (although I do have kayak envy) but our friend Audrey wanted to do something outdoorsy today so we hit the CT River with a canoe. We put in at Deep River (where the Essex Steam Train meets the Riverboat) and paddled north, crossing the river a little ways up (being careful to not get hit by speeding motorboats in the channel nor tipped by their wake) - then into Selden's Creek. I had the middle seat, behind Zippy.

We encountered:

....A great white heron, which Audrey thought was an egret but when it took to flight, it was much larger


A family of swans with grey cygnets (one of several families we saw)


Flora growing atop a tree fallen into the river

And finally, a preening yogi. We also saw an osprey, fishing, a bunch of lesser birds, and lots of recreational boaters.

Lovely day, but boy are my arms tired!

Settling In

It's been a fairly quiet weekend. No balloon chasing; too windy yesterday and my interpid balloonist was off on vacation with his kids. Next weekend will be a busy one - the Plainville Balloon Fest launches from Norton Park. I am likely to be at the park Friday night for the glow (and party) and one of the two weekend mornings.

Zipster and I took some time out for a walk / hike on Saturday - down to Timberlin Park in Berlin. No particular reason, just someplace different. We were 1/2 heading down to Southford Falls in Southbury but decided to go somewhere closer. Not a bad walk; I used to golf at Timberlin back in the day - but its been a while since I have been there.

Not much else planned this weekend. Hot yoga this morning saw a first - I popped up into a handstand against the wall without an assist.

Chilly Morning

I jumped on my scooter this morning with the intention of hitting the bank and CVS to pick up some milk, and get some scooter time when the traffic was light. Too darn cold on the bike! Fall is coming..... I ended up at CVS (skipped the bank), and made it home with the milk balanced on the floor of the scoot, between my legs. Now enjoying the fruits of my labor, a cup of decaf with milk!

At CVS, I ended up running into our local pedestrian, an older guy we always assumed was perhaps homeless and mentally ill (he hangs out at the CVS) - he was outside smoking when I went in, and when I came out he engaged me in a rather practical conversation about the scooter: miles per gallon? ride on the sidewalk? need to be registered? need a license? dealership around here?

Funny, the people you encounter and interact with when one is not encased in an automobile. We see this guy up and down New Britain Avenue (long trench coat, often has a briefcase), as well as standing outside or in the doorway of various retail shops, and never once interacted. Wonder what his story is....

On the subject of two wheel modes of transit, Saturday, September 8th is the Hartford Bike Tour - a self described "...This is an anti-sprawl, pro-fun, pro-sustainable city, anti-pollution, anti-couch potato, pro-bicycle, pro-pedestrian event." There is a fee to enter, option of a 10-mile and 25-mile route, and a 2 hour walking tour. Sounds like fun - that's a busy weekend so not sure if we can participate, but I would love to!

BB called last night - he needs chase crew on Sunday morning so I got Saturday morning off. But I am gonna see if Zippy wants to go out for breakfast (once he gets up) with the balloon folk; since I have not seen KB (my usual chase partner) in a while and Zippy has not seen the balloon folk in ages. And breakfast in the Southington / Cheshire neighborhood is usually pretty tasty!