Day 1 Marshfield to East Montpelier

Emily Levin is a board member of Friends of the Winoosk River and also one of the through paddlers.

First leg of the Winooski River Sojourn! Today we were blessed with sun and clear skies as we set off in Marshfield. This seemed a good omen given the unpredictable weather we've been having in Vermont lately. We set off - 20 adult paddlers plus about 10 kids from Community Connections.

It was a beautiful stretch through Marshfield, Plainfield, and East Montpelier. Meandering channel, green fields, and even a flock of merganser ducklings. I enjoyed trying out some technical paddling - not really whitewater but some rocky stretches that required some boat maneuvering. It was challenging but we stayed upright for the most part.

One of the highlights for me was the ridiculous exit from the river at the final stop. To avoid scrambling up a steep, poison-ivy ridden left bank, we instead portaged a dam on the right side, which involved a rocky, steep, and slippery path and resulted in a lost paddle and water bottle (both floated back eventually). Then we had to ferry the boats across a major rapid (okay, maybe not that big but it was scary to me) one at a time to the opposite bank.

We had some awesome meals today to fuel us along! Thanks to the Marshfield Inn, River Run in Plainfield, and food by Ariel of LACE at Two Rivers in Montpelier for delicious meals. The Two Rivers site is a hidden gem! A historic old farmhouse and fertile fields at the junction of the Winooski River and Stevens Branch, tucked between Routes 302 and 2, the railroad tracks, and a hodgepodge of other buildings. It's being restored as a center for local food and community by Foodworks of Montpelier. It was an especially lovely place to end a great, long day on the river.

~Emily