Cathance River and Merrymeeting Bay May 29, 2012

 

We drove to Bowdoinham, impressed by this lovely town, and arrived extra fast and early, as usual, at the landing. In the large parking lot, we saw only one car with a kayak but several public safety vehicles taking up most of the parking spaces.

As we waited for other MOACERS (Maine Outdoor AdventureClub) to arrive, we watched a small airplane flying low over the river and saw diving equipment on the lawn. It soon became apparent that there was either a rescue or recovery mission happening on the Cathance River.

The mood was somber as other kayakers arrived to participate in the paddle. Our leader, Scott, a Maine Guide, talked with a police officer to find out what was happening as he explained, “We have several pairs of eyes to help look as we paddle out into Merrymeeting Bay.” We were told that three people had been canoeing on the river the night before, and after their canoe capsized, only two made it to shore.

Seventeen people participated in the paddle, and with a colorful flurry of kayaks and gear, we all put into the river. We cut smoothly through the mirror-like water, enjoying the sight of green leaves and bright blue sky, and only a slight ripple of a breeze appeared now and then as we made our way into Merrymeeting Bay. And we all kept an eye out for the missing paddler as we went.

Merrymeeting Bay is the confluence of the Androscoggin and Kennebec Rivers, and as such is becoming a delta of sand bars. Once I had to get out of my kayak and walk it over a sand bar as did others in the group. The mild temperature of the water surprised me, and I welcomed the chance to get out and stretch my legs.

We saw eagles, loons, heron, fish jumping, and birds diving. A bald eagle stared at us from a pine tree and we stared back. We got tired of looking before he did and paddled on to find a lunch spot, which we discovered on Birch Island. It was a bit muddy and our feet sunk into the clam flats. One woman fell and had to go for a swim to clean off. Whenever we go kayaking we always have a contingency plan for ending up soaking wet -- extra clothes in the dry bags and another set in the car.

We never saw a sign of the missing person, but apparently, soon after we left the landing where we put in, his body was found. He was the only one in the canoe without a life jacket.

We stopped for ice-cream at the local corner store, then headed home, tired, but quite happy to have enjoyed a lovely day on the water and thankful for loved ones at home. As always, I was happy to trade my PFD for my Extra Large Back Warmer to help relax my tight back and shoulder muscles.