Dry Summer

After the heavy rain and floods early this spring, we've had a dry summer. I stopped by Packer's Falls on Friday and walked down to the river. I only had my cell phone camera to take a few pictures of the river in August.

Here are a couple I posted in February.

Friday was great day with deep blue skies and the trees seemed to have a dark green color.

Packer's Falls bridge looking towards Durham

Packer's Falls Road looking towards Newmarket

Didn't go as planned

Last Friday I decided to ride Bay Road to Durham and make my way back via Packers Falls Road. When I approached the light at Route 108, I noticed a couple on a tandem studying a map. I stopped and we talked for awhile. They were from Ontario, staying in Epping and on their way to Portsmouth. I helped them with directions and we went on our way, with me thinking, Argh! I should've taken a picture for the blog.

I get to the hill on Bay Road, just before Adams Point. I'm doing 35 to 40 mph down the hill and hit a bump on the bridge that goes over a stream entering the bay. I hear something sliding along the road and realize its my water bottle. I hit the brakes, turn around thinking how hard can it be to find a big water bottle. Of course, it was going 35 to 40 when it hit the road, slid a long ways and found a great hiding spot over the bank. It took me 10 to 15 minutes of hunting through the tall grass to find it.

So now, as I started climbing the hill away from the bridge, I'm 30 minutes behind schedule for my lunchtime ride with a water bottle whose mouthpiece is full of dirt. I decide it's best to head back. But since I'm at the entrance to Adam's Point, I decided to salvage something and take the short ride to the point. I hadn't been there for a few years.

Jackson Estuarine Laboratory

Great Bay near the boat launch

It was low tide, I crossed the road to take a few pictures and walked out onto the "sand" to get closer. It wasn't sand. The black areas are where my feet sunk down way over my ankles into smelly mud.

Wasn't Sand

Smelly Feet

I made back home without any further surprises, and got the hose out.