Yesterday I had a canoe trip under perfectly clear fall skies. With the foliage changing a little more every day and a pleasant breeze the entire trip was picture perfect. The river is very low due to the dry weather and the beavers have completed the dam right below the Union fair grounds. I was able to slide the canoes over the dam easily and we were able to paddle up to the lodge and beyond. I did notice a few groups of trout in the sandy bottom behind the harness track. Only after I was home did it occur to me that they must be getting ready to spawn.
One of our annual rites of fall is attending the Common Ground Fair put on by the Maine Organic Farmers and Gardeners now held in Unity. We have attended the fair almost every year since 1981. It is always an event with great food and a collection of different ideas. The first fair we attended was held in Litchfield Maine where we heard a fellow explain how he heated his hot water with a coil of pipe in a manure pile.
The last two mornings on the salt water were nothing less than chilly. This morning the fog was rising from the water surface just like Arctic Sea Smoke does in the winter on a really cold day. Of course today’s temperature was in the upper thirty’s and not the single numbers that produce sea smoke. Both days have been crystal clear with a cobalt blue sky and little wind. The striper fishing was slower yesterday than it was this morning but both days were very good.
