The intersection of I-95 and I-90 in Newton, Massachusetts, is one of the busiest spots on earth, and it's also the epicenter of paddling in suburban Boston, site of the busy boathouse and docks of Charles River Canoe and Kayak.

The boathouse and docks of Charles River Canoe and Kayak are busy places on sunny summer days like yesterday.
SCOTT ANDREWS PHOTO

With sales, rentals, lessons, tours and kids programs galore, CRC&K is one of New England's busiest paddling establishments, and it's located within sight of the northbound lanes of I-95 (aka Rt. 128).

Four girls paddle a Cobra Quad in front of the boathouse yesterday.
SCOTT ANDREWS PHOTO

For those like myself, who bring our own boats, the free public put-in is directly opposite the boathouse. But stop first to pick up a free map of the area and check out the company's shop.

CRC&K's boathouse is located midway on a six-mile section of meandering flatwater that stretches from a dam in Wellesley to one in downtown Waltham.

You can paddle about 2.6 miles upstream (very slow current!) into an area that seems surprisingly wild.

A father and son paddle their kayaks upstream of the boathouse.
SCOTT ANDREWS PHOTO

A family paddles upstream of the boathouse.
SCOTT ANDREWS PHOTO

On the three-mile downstream stretch, it's more urban, including the decaying 19th-century industrial district of Waltham as well as several parks, greenways and riverwalks.

Like many rivers that flow through urban areas, the Charles is in recovery from years of pollution. A lot of credit belongs to the folks at the Charles River Watershed Association, which has its headquarters about a mile away.

There are still some big problems with trash, invasive plants and algae blooms, but the six miles of the Charles in the Wellesley-Newton-Waltham area are worth checking out any time you're one of the millions of people in the vicinity of I-90 and I-95.

E-mail this entry to a friend