Monthly Archives: August 2014

Kayaking down the Hampton River

August 19, 2014LakeWarren

4112011hamptongoogle — Trip as seen in Google maps

Date traveled – April 11, 2011
length of trip – 3.8 miles roundtrip
weather – slight overcast, little breeze
Time on the water- 2 hours

It was the start of a new season for kayaking. It was my second year with the kayak. This winter a decision was made to start documenting my trips. It would not only be for me but other people who want to experience the water also. I went to fantastic place to lanch. It was in Hampton Falls at the end of Depot rd. There was no one else on the water. Hampton river exists only on maps. It is really a tidal area shaped like a river. The tide was slowly going out. On the right side we saw the Nuclear plant, an observation blind and some structure that I don’t have a clue what it is. As got closer to Hampton Harbor the tide became swifter. I turned around as I approached Hampton Harbor. I had to row against some swift current. It quieted down as I approached the finish line. I smelled a fire burning as I neared the end. I love smelling the scent of burning wood. This was a great start of the season with more trips to come.

Don't have a clue what it is — Don’t have a clue what it is

Kayaking the Lamprey river to Great Bay

August 18, 2014RiversWarren

8122014lamphreygoogle — Journey as seen from Google maps

Date traveled – August 12, 2014
length of trip – 3.1 miles
weather -Sunny, about 80 degrees.
Time on the water- 1.8 hours

I have been wanting to do this trip for a few years. I decided now to do this trip. The place to let in the Kayak is in New Market center. There is great parking there. There were people fishing at the wharf there. No one was catching anything. I did see an abundance of small fish there. Where there is small fish there is usually big fish. When I left I notice that the terrain was like a miniature Fjord. With the exception of where the town buildings where on both sides of the river there were steep inclines covered with trees with some rock outcroppings.

As I started the journey I noticed a sign on the other side of the river designating a conservation area. The hills on both sides of the river was directing the wind from Great Bay against me. The view from the kayak were beautiful. I saw a number of ducks and cormorants all around me. They were friendly. As long as I did not make any sudden mores, the birds were not scared off. I continued down to Great Bay. I was the only one in the river. As I got closer to Great Bay the waves got bigger and the wind became stronger. Looking around it was all woods with some clearings and a few houses. With the exception of those houses it seemed that I was in the middle of a small wilderness.

I started heading back. I made good time with the wind in my back. From the water one can see a new prospective of the personality that Newmarket has. Past the drop in point I could see the dam that years ago provided power to the industries. The river I just was on was the way the boats came up from Portsmouth for trade. This land has much history to it. I got off the boat, put it into my truck so could have a leisurely walk through the town.

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Conservation area at start of journey

DSCF2949 — Stairway from the conservation area

DSCF2940 — House along the side of the river

DSCF2950 — House along the side of the river

DSCF2941 — View of Great Bay from the river

Kayaking down the Squamscott River

August 16, 2014Brackish water(Both river and marsh), RiversNewfieldsWarren

Squamscottgoogle81114 — My journey as seen on Google maps

Date traveled – August 11, 2014
length of trip – 10.4 miles
weather -Sunny, about 80 degrees.
Time on the water- 6 hours

I have kayaked on the Squamscott River before and love it. There was fish jumping on both sides of me, saw Blue Heron, Osprey, Hawks and other assorted wildlife. I saw someone who had previously came early in the morning where she saw moose and deer on the shore. There would be all sorts of surprises considering a large portion of side of the river is conservation areas.

The place to put the kayak in the water is top notch. I put the kayak in the water two hours before high tide. I understand that this is the best way to traverse this river. The tide coming in help the trip up to Exeter. When you get to Exeter the tide going out will help you get back. What I experienced was that if I had left one hour earlier(three hours before high tide), walked around Exeter for 2 hours and then headed back would have kept me from experiencing the calm in the transition between the tide coming in and going out.

I enjoyed it the way I did it. The trip was beautiful. The waters were calm. On one side there were beautiful houses all with their different character. On the other side was conservation areas. I saw (and smelled) a farm. There was an ingenious method on making an Osprey nest by making a tripod. I saw very few other boats. Most of the time I had the river to myself. There was an island in the river where I saw boaters docked and went swimming. I can never get tired going under a bridge. Route 101 had a majestic span. Past the bridge was a water treatment plant.

After that was Exeter. Exeter is a quaint city with a lot of personality. There is history, scenic areas, quaint shops, good restaurants and a nice place just to walk around. I saw a place to take the kayak to get off and explore. To see Exeter from the harbor was a unique to see the personality that a town like Exeter had to offer. I then started back. If took a while until the tide was in my favor. It was just as beautiful going back down the river as going up. I reached my starting point and got out. It was a great trip. I need to do this again except early morning.

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