Canoeing in Maine: On Kennebunk River, a different view of Cape Arundel and surrounding splendor
Starting from near Dock Square, exploring the Kennebunk River puts nature on display while a golf course and a railroad trestle add to the charm.
By MICHAEL PERRY
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The Boston and Maine Railroad trestle, at the turnaround point of the up-and-back trip while paddling the Kennebunk River, is an impressive structure. Christine Wolfe photo
While we wait for our inland waterways to shed the last of their winter ice, there are many outstanding April canoeing options available near the coast.
We recently enjoyed a four-hour, 10-mile round trip paddle on the Kennebunk River from the Old Grist Mill site near Dock Square in Kennebunkport upriver to the impressive Boston & Maine Railroad trestle. While there are homes along the river, there are also many serene wilderness sections to meander through. Chances are good you will have your “first of” 2021 sighting. We saw our first blue heron and first turkey vulture of the year, but will leave the first osprey sighting to you. Around every bend, flocks of geese and mallards announced our arrival with loud honking and quacking.