The town of Brunswick has many charms, including canoeing and culture. And yesterday a friend and I did a twofer: In the afternoon we paddled down into Merrymeeting Bay, then in the evening we attended the opening MusicFest concert of the Bowdoin International Music Festival.

Carol Meerschaert and I launched my little Bear Creek Cubby at Brunswick's Water Street boat ramp, then paddled down the Androscoggin River through the numerous islands, including Cow, Cornish and Driscoll. After leaving Driscoll Island astern, the river opened wide to the broad expanse of Merrymeeting Bay.

Carol Meerschaert of Falmouth paddles my Bear Creek Cubby canoe on the Androscoggin River in Brunswick yesterday.
ALL PHOTOS SCOTT ANDREWS

Despite being a sunny Friday before a big weekend, we hardly saw another soul on the river or the bay. A couple from Virginia paddled past us, and we saw three powerboats. Hardly a crowd for being on the water three hours!

A couple from Virginia paddle into view in a tandem kayak.

Enjoying a Maine summer on Merrymeeting Bay yesterday.

Got a good closeup view of an eagle and a great blue heron, plus numerous ospreys.

Leaving exploration of of Merrymeeting Bay for another day, Carol and I returned upstream just in time to change clothes, quaff some liquid pick-me-up and attend the music festival. Johann Sebastian Bach and Wolfgang Amadeus Mozart wrapped up the day's adventure.

A classic day!

In 2006 the world celebrates the 250th anniversary of the birth of Wolfgang Amadeus Mozart, the consummate classical composer.

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