AMC Paddle: Mystic River, CT

Today's trip was an opportunity to paddle somewhere new.  That said, Mystic, CT itself is not completely new, as Betsy and I have made several visits to this area for early spring getaways.  This adventure, however, would allow me to see Mystic from less typical point of view.  Rather than wandering through the interesting shops and eateries of downtown, I would be seeing it all from the water.  This would include a close encounter with Mystic Seaport, a destination I hadn't visited since Cub Scout days.  There was even a "Sea Music Festival" going on there this weekend, and while our group didn't partake in  any of those activities, we were able to hear sea shanties being sung from shore.  After passing the seaport, the plan was to paddle downriver, circumnavigate Mason's Island. then head back by way of Mystic Harbor.  The Mystic River is a tidal river, so we will be in salt water all day and will have to contend with the water flow of the tides.  High tide was at 10:37am today.

For reference the put in was at  620 River Road, Mystic.  This is actually a great spot right near the highway, but be warned, there are no facilities here.

We get started a little after 8am.  The landing was a pair of small beaches, but with plenty of room to put in.  I was a few minutes late, but that was only because I came the furthest distance and had to stop for gas.

To start, we paddled upriver and explored until we ran out of navigable river. 
We had 9 people in 9 kayaks today.

Here is the new exhibit hall at Mystic Seaport.  The exterior of the building is intended to look like a wave, while the inside resembles the interior of a ship.

   

This is a viking ship that sailed all the way from Norway.

Notice the detail woodwork.

This is the training ship Joseph Conrad.

The Charles W. Morgan is the last wooden whaleship in the world.  And it is impressive even with only a couple sails unfurled.

The name on her stern confirms her home port of New Bedford, MA, a city steeped in whaling heritage.

   

We paddled right up beside her.

Meanwhile, on the Joseph Conrad, the deck hand on the yardarm is positioning a large stuffed animal for the "Dead Horse Ceremony".

Looking back, the sea port from the water is quite impressive.  Still, the shipbuilding part of the museum continues down along the river for quite a ways.

The seaport even has its own lighthouse.

Here's the railroad bridge that runs over the Mystic River.  Just a couple minutes before I took this picture, the Amtrak Northeast Regional train crossed it.

After that, the bridge swings from the center to allow boat traffic to pass.

While kayaks would have no trouble skirting under the bridge, larger vessels require more clearance.
Click on the video below to see it in action

Click on the video above to see it in action

After over two hours of paddling, it was time to take a break.  We obtained prior permission and stopped at the Mason's Island Yacht Club.  (My Gulfstream is closest in the photo).

Back on the water, we had a great view of the chapel at an Ednumdite retreat center on Enders Island.  The sea wall on the south side of the island sustained substantial damage during Super Storm Sandy back in 2012.  As we rounded the corner, we could see the areas of the wall that require restoration. 
(FYI, Betsy and I were hiking during part of that storm.)

Next, we head around the entirety of Manson's Island, under the train bridge, and back into downtown Mystic.  Here is the famous Rt 1 Mystic River Bridge with it's giant counter weights hanging in the air.

Finally, we pass our favorite restaurant in Mystic, the S&P Oyster Company.

From there is was another mile and half back to our put in by I-95. Our stats were:  11.44 miles in 5:05 with an average speed of 2.24 mph.  This was a very enjoyable excursion and I look forward to joining my Connecticut friends again soon.