One of the best weddings I have ever been to happened this past weekend up at Big Eddy on the Penobscot River in Maine. Very good friends of mine, Paula and Dave Saaf were married right next to the West Branch in a small and festive ceremony with a wonderful group of friends and family to support them. Many of the guests and wedding party are paddlers so there was plenty of pre and post wedding paddling. The level of the Penob was fluctuating so there was lots of paddling and playing at a variety of water levels – Rip Gorge, the Heaters, Troublemaker, the Cribworks, Big A, Abol, and Pock at medium and higher water! Lots of fun and the water was warm.
The leaves were just beginning to turn and the air was cold, crisp and clear. Boy was I glad I had two sleeping bags as the temperatures dropped below freezing at night, but warmed up nicely during the day. If I ever get married, this is how I would like to do it! One of the best things to see was how much fun the bride and groom were having! Congratulations Paula and Dave! And for those of you looking for great river running and playboating with no crowds, the West Branch is the place for you.
