Saco River Canoe Trip NH to ME June 20-22nd

[k_estela]

From June 20th to June 22nd, a party of 7 traveled from Saco Bound outfitters in Center Conway to the Brownfield Bridge in Maine along the Saco River. With excellent weather, except for one required break to escape an isolated thunderstorm with potential high winds and hail, the group paddled 25 miles enjoying the scenery and camraderie along the way camping on sandy river beaches. Great food was eaten, humor was abundant and considering the location, black flies weren't too bad. This will definitely become a yearly trip. Thanks to my paddling buddies, Big John, Marcelo, Tony, Miguel, Tim, Nicole; you guys rock!
The following are pictures from the trip

Great landscapes right from the start

Great spirits despite the 300yd portage around the dam

Storm clouds coming in

Bow shot from my boat (Old Town Pack)

Rest area after a morning/early afternoon of paddling

Tony's sunburn (a few of the folks on the trip had some pretty interesting sunburn locations)

Water filter and paddle combo

Camp cooking
More coming

 

[k_estela]

View from our campsite 1st night

Shot of our campsite first night

FAIL!

Delicious dead animal

Campfire

Estela's Breakfeast! Hot Cocoa/Coffee combo and Oatmeal with honey, almonds and dried blueberries

One of the many bridges we passed

One of Tony's suckers

rest stop day 2 looking left

rest stop day 2 looking right

 

[k_estela]

Pleasant Pond was just that, pleasant

Nicole, Tim, Miguel and Tony

this guy wanted to dry off. Picked him up and paddled with him until he flew away.

Tony fishing at our rest stop

Vargo Titanium Hexagon Wood Stove making Marcelo's brew

Marcelo messin' with the stove

rest area right after pleasant pond

Tony's catch

When a full water bag filter is dropped by accident on Marcelo when he is eating perch. I love his face in this one.

 

[k_estela]

Pleasant Pond Lillies

Cooling off

Tracks from a visitor to our 2nd night campsite

Nicole showing size perspective and shock

Salmon burger making 1 egg, 1/2cup italian bread crumbs and 1 can of salmon. Mix in ziplock bag

Salmon burger cooking

Salmon burger success! Topped off with Lingonberry preserves (thanks Ray Mears)

Our camp 2nd night

 

[k_estela]

Nicole and Me

Estela's homemade salsa
6 tomatoes, 1 medium white onion, 3 seeded jalapenos, 1/2 cup cilantro juice of 2 limes. Mix and let sit 30 minutes before serving

Merganzers

My hammock setup

Another visitor

The bean dip that made it to night 2 surprisingly

View from the river (as if these get old)

What waking up in a hammock looks like on the Saco

me about ready to strip even more. Damn it could get hot quickly!

Gossman Knives Bolo that was a great all around camp knife for this trip

 

[k_estela]

Old Town Pack Canoe packed properly and ready to go

Practicing Fire Safety!

Brownfield Bridge End Point

 

[jds1]

Nice photos Kevin. I especially like that first shot of Pleasant Pond. Good eye. :thumbup:

Jeff

 

[HSG]

Now that looked like an awesome trip. Thanks so much for sharing.
I've never been canoeing but pics like these make me want to !

 

[HornyToad]

me about ready to strip even more. Damn it could get hot quickly!

Holy Sh**. I'd let you paddle front seat of my canoe (while I steered).

 

[KuRUpTD]

Wow, looks like a total blast ... I've never canoed before but after looking at this thread I hope to give it a try soon :thumbup:

 

[Codger_64]

I really... really enjoyed this trip! And I didn't even get to go! Thanks for sharing the pictures. :thumbup:

Care to share more?

 

[tonym]

Kev, you put together an amazing trip and couldn't have picked a better place or crew to go with!
It was non stop fun and laughs all along the way! I also can't get over the fishery the saco river offers. I lost count on how many fish aggressively took my lures and the multiple species the river offered. I do know now that a good small mouth on a river will win a battle with 6lb test. Their strength was amazing!

Any how, here are some of my pics, they're not as nice as Kev's though..

 

[tonym]

 

[tonym]

 

[tonym]

 

[tonym]

Holy Sh**. I'd let you paddle front seat of my canoe (while I steered).

I wouldn't, the back is as bad as the front! Hopefully that swelling will go down soon..

 

[mtnfolk mike]

awesome pics guys... looks like a blast.. i would love to do a trip like that one of these days..

 

[KuRUpTD]

Great pics Tony ... looks like you were in fish heaven

 

[Codger_64]

I wouldn't, the back is as bad as the front! Hopefully that swelling will go down soon..

Somehow, no matter who I partner with, I always wind up doing most of the paddling from the rear. But it works out. When I need front power and steerage, I get to blame the bowman if we miss an eddy turn, broach on a drop or crash into a strainer!

Moar good pictures! Thanks! It looks like you all had a blast.

One question... what was the blue tent in the first set of pictures?

 

[kahuana]

Nicely done!! Glad to see the boyz and girl having a great time on the water. Thanks for sharing. Was the water moving or was it a paddle fest?