Two paddling pals and I wanted to get out on the water Wednesday, so we headed inland to avoid the fogbound coast. Cruising down the Androscoggin River between Durham and Lisbon Falls, the sun burned off the haze about noontime and stayed out the rest of the day.

Jonathan Keck, of Portland, and Anne Tarbell, of South Portland, took turns trying out my kayak, a 12-foot Pungo from Wilderness Systems.

Jonathan Keck, of Portland, paddles down the Androscoggin River in Durham, before the sun burned through the fog and haze
Scott Andrews photos

Anne Tarbell, of South Portland, enjoys paddling my little Pungo

We saw at least three eagles, two mature and one large immature. Plus lots of great blue heron, kingfishers and cormorants. The foliage was just starting to turn and was well below peak. A good excuse to plan another trip!

We enjoyed brilliant sunshine from about 1 p.m. on

Jon prefers canoes

I've been paddling with Jon and Anne for years, having met both through the Maine Outdoor Adventure Club. The club's got at least four more paddling events scheduled in the month of October, including a beginner-oriented canoe/kayak trip on the Saco River in the Buxton area on Oct. 15. I'm leading that one. No doubt readers of this blog will see a report.

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