Blackstone Valley Outfitters
October Newsletter - September Journal
We just finished our first whole
season of paddling the Blackstone River and we have
seen the Blackstone at its best and worst. Do to the
drought this summer; the water levels this month
were at an all time low. Because of this, we paddled
the whole month in the Valley Falls area of the
Blackstone River. Even though we stayed in the same
area for the month we got to watch nature change at
a fast pace. The summer colors of green, purple and
white changed into yellow, red and brown of fall.
There has been a changing of the guard with the
wildlife in the area. Daily sighting of deer,
turtles, osprey and great blue heron, have given way
to migrating Canada Geese, mallards, turkey vultures
and chickadees. Our mute swans and kingfishers are
still there and a cormorant has taken up residence
in hidden pond. He greets us each trip, roosting on
the partly submerged tree at the entrance to the
pond. Check out our website
www.bvori.com for
his very photogenic pictures, he’s quite the ham.
Mark has timed the cormorant a couple of times as it
dives underwater to chance a meal and he can hold
it’s breath for over 2 ½ minutes before resurfacing.
I call September one of the
changing months; the slow pace of August gives way
to the faster pace of September in nature as well as
our lives. The heat of summer gives way to the brisk
air of autumn. The rafting waterfowl now are on the
move south, the small mammals running helter-skelter
through the woods gathering their winter stores and
us trying to race and catch it all.
Blackstone Valley Corridors Footsteps in to
History
The weekend of October 8th, we
are part of the Blackstone Valley Corridors
Footsteps in to History program. Check out
www.footstepsinhistory.com for more information
about this event. There are activities going on in
every town that is in the Blackstone Valley Corridor
and at each site you get a chance to enter in a
drawing for $500.00 in GAS!! So visit several of the
sites.
Passing of a Friend
On September 24th Blackstone
Valley Outfitters lost a good friend to cancer.
Terri Ann Ficca passed away. I’ve know “T” since
1990 when I first started working at Eastern
Mountain Sports in N. Attleboro and over the years
have had the privilege of backpacking, climbing and
paddling with her. Her commitment to the outdoors
was second to none. In 1984 she backpacked a large
portion of the Appalachian Trail an even made it
into the AT Documentary 5000 Footsteps. During the
time of her passing she was a school teacher in the
Woonsocket school system and a high adventure
advisor for Narragansett Council BSA. She will be
missed but not forgotten.
New at BVO:
To better serve your outdoor
needs Blackstone Valley Outfitters has entered into
collaboration with Peloton Bicycle Shop in N.
Smithfield, RI. Starting September 23rd we will be
offering bicycle rentals along the Blackstone River
Bike Path. With the Martin Street section of the
bike path open once more, you can now take full
advantage of the Historic Blackstone Valley
Corridor. So sign up today and reserve a date for
any of our boating/biking rentals or guided trips.
Bike rental Fees
Weekends: $20.00 for up to 3
hours
Weekdays: $ 15.00 for up to 3
hours
Columbus Weekend Sale at BVO:
Blackstone Valley Outfitters
will be having a Columbus Weekend Sale on in house
items.
All summer wear on our discount rack will be 50% off
their already low prices.
All summer wear by Sierra Designs is 20% off
15 % off Camelback hydration packs
20% off Teko socks when you by a new pair of hiking
boots or trail runners
10% off our Deuter or Granite Gear backpacks
We carry the 3 lb. Trauma tested
"Nimbus Backpack" by Granite Gear. This ultra-light
pack was tested by Trauma (His trail name) who in
365 day of backpacking put a record 10,000 miles on
his pack.
Live the Experience
Don &Mark
Blackstone Valley Outfitters
2 Mendon Road
Cumberland, RI
www.bvori.com
Back to Outfitters Menu |
