Blackwater River paddle, 7.27.2008

I had a great time today on the Blackwater River just above Franklin and Southwest of Windsor.

I launched from the Joyner's Bridge Road public boat ramp.  What a great ramp for kayaks and canoes!  A nice sandy beach that was plenty wide and I could park right at it.  It took me no time to get unloaded and underway.  Similarly it was an easy load out too.

From the launch, I paddled south for about a mile until I hit what looked to be a blocked river.  I paddled north past the launch by about two miles and again found what was another blocked passage.  I didn't get close enough to either area to really determined if it was truly blocked or just one of those trick navigation areas.  I wasn't planning a long paddle and they kept me from getting crazy and paddling into Franklin or up to Route 460.

I saw lots of birds and the fish were very active.  Only one snake, he must have heard me first cause he was high tailing out of the area.  I only ran across four other boats, all fisherman.  Two of them were paddling, one a canoe and one a small john boat.  It was a nice day with some southerly winds.  The current and the wind direction meant that paddling was a breeze.  I did a lot of drifting while looking through the binoculars for birds.

I saw a little green heron, a little blue heron, barn or tree swallows, a downy woodpecker, cardinals, turkey vultures and what were probably grouse on the shore.  A very good day bird wise.

The river is cluttered with tons of downed trees and is very interesting because of that also.  There are many great places to pull ashore and stretch.  I don't find many of the places I paddled to be very friendly in that respect.  

When I left, I drove north and checked out the Burdette Road crossing of the river.  No launch available there (or possible due to high banks) although there is a private piece of land with a perfect beach area for launching but it is either private or community owned and therefore likely off limits unless you have permission.  No worries though because just a hop and skip up the street is the Unity Road public boat ramp.  It is nice like the one at Joyner's Bridge Road although not as big.  The kayak launch would be just to the right of the concrete ramp.  If the area is not taken, you can park just above that area and offload.  The river looks very inviting at this launch.  I can't wait to try a paddle from there.

From Battlefield boulevard to the Joyner's Bridge Road ramp took only about 45 minutes via 460 to 258 to Joyner's Bridge Road.  I was able to fill up in Windsor at $3.78 per gallon.  I never thought I'd be happy paying that much for gas but I was.  

I highly recommend this paddle for a nice leisurely paddling experience.  There are snakes but I only saw the one and the river is big enough to easily share it with them.

See ya next time.