Saco River from Rotary Park in Biddeford

This section of the Saco is fairly quiet and wide. You will have to paddle against the current going up

river and if the water is high, as it often is in the spring then you'll work hard. The plus side is that on the way back you will have the current assisting you along.

The put-in is easy with plenty of parking and a cement ramp. When you drive into the park stay left to find the put-in. There are ball fields and probably bathroom facilities if you bear right on entering the park.

You have to go under the Maine Turnpike, The bridge is quite high and the current under it was not significant. Most of the shoreline is undeveloped and we found a few places where we might stretch our legs for a few minutes. We saw a couple of turtles basking in the sun, a blue heron, a bald eagle, and a couple of hawks antagonizing some smaller birds. We never made it all the way up to Skelton Dam on this paddle, but will save it for another time.

Tight shoulders from paddling can be relaxed with a Maine Warmer.