Rt. 206

While these colors are, of course, not actual they are, in fact, the way I remember it. Hot day.

Smithville Dam

Smithville is positioned, more or less, at the 1/4 mark heading east on the Rancocas Canoe Trail. There’s some uncomfortable portage here due to the dam so I usually chunk the journey out over a few weekends.

Southampton

On either side of this lacerated bridge sits equally mangled houses: One for him, one for her and a bridge to keep the peace? Weird.

Tough patch ahead

My wife bought me a kayak. I aim to use it. My maiden voyage at Batsto with the Prodigy 12′.

Birmingham Road

Looks lovely enough. Unfortunately the mosquitoes were a nightmarish spectacle.

Hanover St

For the entire 2010 season the turtles refused to let me take a photo. It was uncanny. They would jump off their tanning perches at the slightest; if I so much as considered the idea of going for my camera they were gone before I finished the thought. Then, this day – the very last of the 2010 season – found each turtle (and there were plenty) in the most agreeably apathetic mood.

Pemberton

Batsto

Heaven forbid you fall out of your boat. This was like a fisherman’s net.

Dragonfly

This weathered fellow was my companion for about 10 minutes of listless meandering on the Rancocas.

Hawk

In the Pine Barrens this is a common site. Hawks are everywhere and seemingly always on the hunt. This guy came out of nowhere, flew just above my head then hovered above a group of ducks, harassing them with his oxygen-stealing presence. It was the first time I really grasped how big these birds are. Impressive.

Spyder

Welcome to my lair…

2 turtles

Indian Mills is a goopy little lake with some small accompanying trails. Turtles raise their heads for a look then – “gloop” – they’re gone. They were everywhere… just under the surface.