OUTDOOR EVENTS Summer Paddles Please join us for our free-guided kayak/canoe paddles on Thursdays and some Saturdays. We will meet at 9:30 AM except as noted below. We will pass various local conservation lands, including some of our own Westerly Land Trust preserves. The paddle times are between 1 ½ to 3 hours. Bring your own kayak/canoe, paddle, life jacket, water, snacks, etc. Be aware that our trips leave promptly so be on time! We will meet at put in points and carpool to takeout sites unless stated differently in the description. This means you will have already dropped off your kayak/canoe at the put in. Only drivers will go down to the takeout spot. PLEASE NOTE: If weather is questionable, contact leader. If you wish to caravan to put in contact Sally Hanson at 401.348.9109 or sally.hanson@verizon.net Thursday, July 15 Indian Lake, South Kingstown We will launch at 10:00 AM. This lake is about 260 acres and still very rural with summer cottages along the shore. It was made famous in 1968 when the Cowsills of Newport wrote a song about going there for their summer vacations. Directions: From Junction of Rte 1 and Rte 138 (Tower Hill) drive 1.4 miles south to Arrow Head trail. Turn right onto Arrow Head Trail and go 0.2 miles to Indian Trail. Turn left onto Indian Trail and go 0.5 miles to boat ramp at intersection of Woodland Trail. GPS: 41º28'27.01" N 71º28'8.26" W. Our vehicles will remain @ the launch site. Leader: Jim Cole, 401.226.7714, and email: jimcole@hotmail.com Thursday, July 22 Bluff Point, Groton, CT We will launch at 10:00 AM. We will explore beautiful Bluff Point State and Coastal Reserve by the water. We will paddle down Poquonnock River along Bushy Point Beach for one mile and enjoy open views of Fishers Island Sound, then return to put in. A swim is likely, and so a suit and hat are recommended. It is often windy, but the ocean views are spectacular. Directions to put in: From Rte 95 South, take Exit 88. Turn left on Rte 117 and right on Rte 1 at the second light. Then, at the next light, turn left on Depot Road. Follow this street past Industrial Road, and under the railroad tracks. A dirt road leads ahead to the large parking lot and closed gate. Turn right and park near the water. Heavy rain will cancel the trip. Leaders: Sue & Geoff Sewall, 401.377.2826 Saturday, July 24 Bradford to Potter Hill Put in at Bradford access on left side of river. Here the river runs under Rte 91 and almost immediately there is a large mill with a dam on the left requiring a portage on the right. This is a beautiful section of river with no obstacles and it passes by Westerly Land Trust properties for several miles. After the Rte 3 crossing, the river meanders along a swamp. Takeout on Potter Hill Road by bridge and dam in Westerly. Leader: Sally Hanson, 401.348.9109 (home) or 401.932.5295 (cell), and email: sally.hanson@verizon.net Thursday, July 29 Alton Dam to Bradford Put in on south side of Rte 91 at state access area down a steep incline, river right. Wood River shortly joins the Pawcatuck on left. A two-foot drop over a broken dam in Burdickville can be run on the right at reasonably high water. Look for fast-moving water just to left of a stony island near shore. For portage, ease boat over dam on the left bank. About 300 yards after the first Amtrak trestle, Burlingame Management Area is on left. It provides camping and picnic sites; from here to Bradford the river is wide and scenic. Takeout is Bradford Landing, which is located off Rte 91 in Bradford. Leader: Bob Fifer, 401.213.6479, and email: 2raf@cox.net Thursday, August 5 Narrow River We will launch at 10:00 AM. We will paddle up the river towards the Gilbert Stuart Museum. We will meet @ the Narrow River Boat Launch: From the Tower Hill @ the corner of Rte 1 & Rte 138, head East down the hill on Bridgetown Road. DO NOT cross the river. Instead at the bottom of the hill, turn right on to Middle Bridge Road. Go about 1.5 miles, turn left onto Pollock Road, the public boat launch is at the end of the street. If you see Torry Road on your right you have gone too far. There are no public sanitary facilities at the launch. Our vehicles will remain @ the launch site. Leader: Rhea Guertin, 401.884.3520, and e-mail: rguertin@juno.com Thursday, August 12 Richmond Access to Alton Dam Richmond Access to Alton Dam, both on Rte 91, provides a short paddle with an even shorter shuttle. However, we will expend about the usual amount of energy due to the upstream, Wood River part of the trip. Meet at Richmond Access early for a 9:30 shuttle. Leader: Jim Schroer, 401.295.4668 (home) or 401.575.0809 (cell), and email: miskicamp1@cox.net Thursday, August 19 To Be Determined   August 26 Switch Road to Alton Dam Put in on the east side of Switch Road (Hope Valley/Woodville Road) at the parking area just south of Rte 95 viaduct. This stretch is wooded and scenic and there may be frequent blow downs. Before the dam at Woodville is extensive swampy flat water. Abutment of an old bridge on right offers a good picnic spot in this area. If preferred, paddlers can takeout by the bridge and dam on Woodville Road in Woodville but the trip is planned to end at Alton Dam. We will portage down to the put in past the bridge that is currently closed. Leader: Jim Schroer, 401.295.4668 (home) or 401.575.0809 (cell), and email: miskicamp1@cox.net Saturday, August 28 Mystic River-Mystic Seaport, Mystic CT Put in is on River Road. If interested in doing this paddle contact the leader for directions. We will paddle up to the seaport and beyond. Leader: Sally Hanson, 401.348.9109 (home) or 401.932.5295 (cell), and email: sally.hanson@verizon.net

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