The Winter Solstice Trip
by John Hicks-Courant
johnhc@theworld.com
 
Last year, the SRWA took the comfortable and extremely convenient step of holding the now
traditional Winter Solstice Trip at the beginning of the day rather than the end. That is,
we met at the Ballardvale millpond in Andover just before dawn. Then we paddled upstream
through the flats as the sun rose. The air was crisp and clear, and the sunrise was spectacular.
 
We had a substantially larger turnout for that Winter Solstice Trip than we had ever had
before when we put our boats in the water after dark, hoping for some moonlight. That’s
why we’ve decided to repeat that expedition this year. So, plan on being at the Ballardvale
millpond on the Shawsheen Rubber side at 7:00 AM on the 21st of December. There are plenty
of parking spaces available right next to the river. (We’ll be gone by the time the
Shawsheen Rubber employees show up for work.) Dress warmly in layers. Bring a camera
if you like, and please don’t leave your capacity for awe at home.