Heavy clouds line the sky, the wind is stiff blowing down the river, and a mixture of snow, sleet, and rain lightly fills the air as we carry the canoe to the river's edge. The fifteen foot Mansfield looks small against the backdrop. Chunks of ice speed past the put-in ranging from snowball size to floes a dozen feet in diameter. Dressed in the fashion of explorers from the past we carry our gear to the boat. Thick wool pants are tucked into felt boots that stomp through the snow and mud. Leather gloves are the norm and various headgear top off our appearance. Our only concession to modernization is synthetic coats to repel the weather.

Apprehensively we enter the canoe and push off from the shore. Paddling isn't necessary today, the river is swollen from melt off and rain. A dip of the paddle is all it takes to put us in the right direction. The wind also favors us this day, blowing downstream pushing us forward. Our destination is Seawalls Fall Boat Ramp, several miles down. The bowman fully spins in his seat so the partners are facing each other. They banter the time away until the see a large ice floe cruising ahead of them. On a previous trip they had breached ice and felt confident doing this. Picking up speed they come to the floe, hit and slide forward. The keel stops their progress and tips them to the side. This landing makes their idea of standing on the ice floe benign. Backing off they snuggle up to the edge of the floe and drift with it.

The sternman looks downriver and they suddenly appear. Sweeping down from the opposite shoreline two bald eagles make their appearance, close enough to see their white skulls against the gray hue of the sky, following each other in whatever quest the are on.

Words are passed. We follow their progress with our eyes, trying to etch this moment into our memories. Our decision to be on the water this cold February day has paid off for us. We slip out from the sanctuary of the ice floe and let the wind and current move us forward, downstream, trying to keep the eagles in sight. They are too fast and they are quickly gone around the bend. It is good to share the river.

Soon we come within sight of the rapids above the take-out. We pull to shore and take a break, stomping feet to get circulation going and enjoy a snack of jerky and dried apples. More talk, mostly about being canoeing in the winter months. We agree that this is worth our efforts.

Under the thick clouds darkness comes early. A short set of rapids is between us and the take-out. We decide on sticking to the right bank and push off into the current. We are in choppy water with rocks visible just below waterline. The bowman sees that a collision is unavoidable. Shouts, paddles pull, and another set of rocks. We hit and the canoe tips to the left, teetering on the brink of capsizing, the gunwale dipping under for a second. The sternman watches as water ships into the boat and he corrects. Several inches of icy cold water collect at his feet and he tells the bowman to make for shore. The canoe is unstable and sluggish. The bowman, not realizing the situation says to move on to the take-out. The sternman repeats his request, ready to slap his partner in the head with his paddle as his partner turns. Seeing the water in the boat and suddenly feeling the handling of the boat the bowman paddles for shore. They beach and their first collective thought is to look upstream. They should have shot the middle of the river.

Sewalls Falls Bridge looms nearly overhead. They empty the boat and place it in the diminishing froth at the bottom of the rapids, take one last look upstream and head for the take-out. Spring flood is coming and more trips are in the making. With that thought in mind they dip the paddles and push on.

*****

For those of you who are interested in a nice lazy day trip the Merrimack River between its origin in Franklin to Penacook this could very well be the river for you. To get to this sections putin take exit 17 off I-93 and head North on Rt. 3. You will cross over the Merrimack within a 1/2 mile. Look for Hannah Dustin Parking Lot. Within several hundred feet you will come to a blinking light, turn left on to Eastside Drive. Within a 1/2 mile you will cross the Contookcook River. Take the next immediate left. You will come to a stop sign and the Rivco factory. Turn left and go down Merrimack Street for about 2/10ths of a mile. You'll come to a 90 degree left, go straight to the old railroad depot. Turn left and look for the dirt road. This takes you to the put in at the confluence of the two rivers. It is run by the N.H. Hydro Association. I use this for my solo jaunts upstream. Other putins range up and down the river.

Boscawen to Penacook: Approx 5 miles. Putin on Rt. 3 N in Boscawen at the Minimum Security Prison. Franklin to Penacook: Approx. 14 miles. Putin is on River St. in Franklin. Takeout is up the Contookcook River. Look for the statue of Hannah Dustin on the island. Go under second bridge.