Mileage: 7 miles
Weather: Overcast, sunny, overcast, sprinkles, warm, tail winds
Portages: 0
Wildlife: Herons including one that landed overhead in the white pine by our campsite, a daily muskrat sighting
Dinner: Subway sandwiches
Decided to take our time today. Picked up coffee at the corner Shell station and explored the town. Met a nice Canadian/American couple by the kiosk in front of the Bridge of Light and Flowers. The laundromat is close to the library and in the same center as Subway and a sporting goods store. Got a load of wash going while I ducked in the library and wrote up some of these blog entries. While I was writing, I sent out a message to an internet paddler friend, Russ, who lives in the area and asking for advice about what was ahead for us with the Missisquoi out of Enosburg Falls. Beckie was busy getting a phone number for a B and B in Richford.She went back to get the laundry and struck up more than a few new friendships with the ladies in the laundry. Russ responded that he thought the water levels were high enough and assured us we wouldn't have obstacles like The Abbey Rapids. Decided we'd go ahead and put on a few miles. Picked up our subs, went back to the Inn to pack up and met Russ, who was on his way home from work, stop by and waiting for us! Gave us advice, moral support and a ride to the put in at Lawyer's Landing. Actually didn't leave Enosburg Falls until 5 pm and paddled seven miles easily in two hours to the Samsonville Dam area. This was a beautiful stretch of river and I'm really glad we didn't skip it. Stayed in the canoe until we hit the ledges/dam area and found a place where we stealth camped at what seemed to be an inviting location. Mowed, grass, bird feeders and even a fire pit. One of the things we had a chance to talk about with Russ was about the local economy and water quality. As you may know, Vermont is home to many dairy farms and runoff is problematic. One big reason we aren't pumping water from the river. We hit the hay mowing time dead on which is followed by field fertilization. Fertilization means manure spreading. I read about the aroma, which we were told is the smell of money. We'd been smelling it for some time. Our very nice camping spot included a lovely view over a just fertilized field. Once we were in the tent, I asked Beckie if she thought methane gas could accumulate within the confines of our coated nylon and would we actually wake up in the morning. It really didn't seem that bad when we first pitched the tent, but wow, we definitely will remember the smell of money.
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| Enosburg Falls |
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| Bridge of Flowers and Light |
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Paddling near Samsonville  |
