When Hurricane Irene was approaching New England, many boaters pulled their boats out of the water for safe storage on dry land. If one goes down to the local boatyards, it would be apparent that many of them opted not to put their boats back in the water, probably thinking that the season is too late to be worth re-launching.
The Small Boat Shop in Norwalk, CT and people with easily portable boats like kayaks and canoes realize that this is very short-sighted thinking and that we are approaching one of the best times to be on the water. Autumn days are often sunny and comfortably cool, the local waters are warm, the leaves are changing colors, and the waters are not crowded with other boats. Most communities that charge out-of-towners to launch boats stop charging fees shortly after labor day.
Kayaks and canoes require little maintenance and are easily kept ready for an off-season excursion. It is a small matter to load them onto the cartop roofrack and travel to destinations that would have been crowded with tourists in summer, and the parking lots at launch sites are almost empty.
The Small Boat Shop in Norwalk, CT, the area’s premier paddlesports shop for 30 years, is running guided kayak trips to the Norwalk Islands this autumn, and has scheduled several foliage watching trips on inland lakes and rivers in October. These trips have proven popular in the past, as the air is pleasantly cool, and the fall scenery is spectacular. Boats and equipment are provided by the Small Boat Shop. The customer merely has to bring lunch, appropriate clothing, and a sense of adventure. Folks who want to paddle on their own can also rent kayaks through the fall season. The Small Boat Shop can be reached at 203-854-5223, or info@thesmallboatshop.com.
Foliage trips are scheduled on Lake Lillinonah, in Newtown, Ct, and on the tidal Connecticut River. Lake Lillinonah is surrounded by beautiful, gently rolling, wooded hills. The Connecticut River trips leave from Deep River, and the scenic route is dictated by the tides. Every bend in the river has an interesting story associated with it, and both locations have a high probability of spotting bald eagles.
For thirty years, the Small Boat Shop has been the premier source for anyone interested in sea kayaking, rowing, canoeing, and generally exploring the coast in small craft. Several brands of boats are carried, along with a complete selection of paddlesports and kayak fishing accessories and technical clothing. The on-water location makes it easy to try out a kayak before purchasing it. The staff has a wealth of skill and knowledge and is experienced at picking out the craft that best suits a customer’s needs.
