For those of us who have (embarrassingly) never been to the Deerfield, and will be coming just for a day, any directions or hints on where to meet up with the group? I can only make Saturday, but I do hope to do both runs (Dryway in the AM, Fife Brook section pm). I'm not sure if I'll bring a different boat for each run or not, but I'm still threatening to drag out the FOG for the PM run. No airbags for it yet though.
Adam, Go to the put in, drop your boat and gear near the stairs (off to the side) about 9:15 /9:30 then drive downstream to take out at picnic area. Park, then walk up driveway and hitch a ride back to put in. I've never made it to the top of picnic area driveway without getting a ride. This will be your quickest way of assuring yourself to get to Fife in the pm. There will be lots of folks there, but it is like herding cats, so the more you do up front the less waiting later for folks to get with the program. All directions to the river are on AW and the towns are very small so it's pretty easy to find
I will also be at the Put-in at the Dryway at 10 AM. In a C1, but will be looking for the ARF folks to paddle with. It will probably be my one run of the day, so I don't believe I will be rushing it.
Any point / interest in me bringing a C2 along for the Fife Brook section so someone could hop in?
Adam, I'm bringing mine, hoping my daughter gets off work to paddle with me. Bring it. I think we'll have to think up a challenge to get people interested in sharing the river driving though. Given the choice most want to drive their own canoe. I like the Octane OC2, I haven't been in it and until there is a solo/tandem version it is out of my reach, but I think it will be a fantastically fun tandem boat.
I plan to be at the Fife Saturday and look forward to meeting up.
Here's a heads-up for those of you who haven't been on the Dryway before. The water is colder than you might expect for this time of year (there is a reason for this, but I can't remember what it is, something to do with how it is stored above the Monroe Bridge Dam, I think). It's not freezing, and many people do without wetsuits, but it is chilly. If you've grown used to 75 degree water down South, it may be a bit of a shock.
Fife Brook, on the other hand, is pretty warm by now.
Is there anything special that I need to know wile traveling through New England and NY state with boats on a rack? I recall Sir Adam referencing issues in NY state and I don't want to run afoul if it's not necessary.
Seriously though, the road along the Deerfield is posted for either 25 or 30 mph. Mass State Police do give tickets to boaters, and closer to the Gap, you'll find the Charlemont Police cruising around. be forewarned. Boaters are riff-raff after all.