The Armada sets sail again, this time on the Pawcatuck!
A lunch event that can be reached with or without a boat.
The Itinerary:
Gather at the Launch Point: 9am-10am.
We'll meet & mingle and get ready for the paddle down the Pawcatuck River. Any last minute instructions and cautions will be provided.
Anyone who is paddling will drop their vessel off at the launch point (L1), and then drive their car down to the designated Take Out (T1). We'll be sure some one stays behind to watch the vessels. We will shuttle the drivers back to the launch point. If you plan on paddling, please state so in your "Will Attend" log, so we can make sure we have sufficient shuttle space. The last shuttle vehicle will leave the Take Out parking at 9:30am sharp!
(Who is bringing the Bismarcks?)
Paddle down the Pawcatuck River, Approximately 10am-12pm
We'll put in on the down river side of the dam, and paddle down the Wood River/Pawcatuck River. We'll take our time, and stop to grab any caches along the way. See the bookmark list at right for the caches on the way. I have been told that there are more that will be listed in time for the event.
The Event - Bring Your Own Picnic Lunch: Approximately 12pm
There is a spot along the river inside the boundaries of Burlingame WMA that is a canoe camp. We will anchor there, and enjoy a leisurely "BYO" picnic lunch and share stories of sea monsters, mermaids/mermen and lovely sirens trying to lure us to wreck on the rocks. I have been told there is a rope swing, so maybe some swimming will be in order. The official log will be available for signing during lunch - you need to be at the Event Location during the actual Event to claim the "Attended" log.
This spot is accessible via trails in the WMA, so if you don't want to paddle, you can still meet up with us and enjoy some lunch. For those that will hike in to the event, here is a map of the trails from parking. It is just under two miles from parking to the event location.
If there is cell service, we will post update logs to the listing with our location and ETA to the event location. I may also provide a link that will provide a real-time update of our position and progress.
In honor of a post-trip happening from last year's Armada , there will be the 1st Annual Cookie Tossing Challenge, complete with prizes. Participants will toss an Oreo cookie at a target - closest throws to the target will win prizes.
The Rest of the Journey: Approximately 1pm-3pm
After lunch and a quick dip, we will continue paddling the Pawcatuck until we reach the take out location, T1. We’ll make sure that anyone who has left their vehicle at the launch point will get a ride back to it.
Additional Information:
I have been told that this stretch of the river is a nice paddle (see map here), and we should not have too many issues with blow downs or jams. There is one tricky spot (Waypoint C2 below). We will all rally there, and do this one vessel at a time. We will have experienced paddlers just downstream for any contingencies.
L1 is the launch location, and T1 is the takeout location. Total paddle distance is approximately 6 miles (just about what we did last year), and should take about 4 hours to complete. All paddlers are responsible for their own equipment, including a PFD and water cannons!
If you have a vehicle that can handle a few people and don’t mind playing shuttle driver, please state so in your “Will Attend” log.
Additional details will be provided as we get closer, and plans may change slightly, so please "Watch Listing" to stay on top of things. The rain date will be June 17th.
Note: The Terrain rating is if your are boating. If you hike in, the Terrain is about a 3.