Cold reception on the Toms

Here I am, bobbing along the Toms River after falling off an overhanging tree.






















Put-in: Winding River Park
Take-out: East side of the Garden State Parkway at a business park off of Rt. 166. Temp: Near 60 / Trip time: 2 hours / 4.75'' at 500+cfs

OK, SO I FELL IN. Midway through our trip on the Toms River, I decided to climb onto a tree that hung over the river, and ham it up for a photo. As I walked up the tree my boat began to float away. I told Baker not to sweat it; he could grab it after the photo. He took the shot, but was unable to paddle back upstream with my boat. He decided to head back with some sort of plan of me sitting on his lap.

Snap! The branch I was holding on to gave way, and I went in feet first (after a fancy little spin, I'm told). It was freezing! Took the breath right out of me. I swam about 20 yards downstream – with Baker snapping pics along the way – got back into my boat, and finished the trip soaked. Thank God it was so warm outside. Lost: 1 black Adidas ball cap.

Lots of maple to see here with a mix of pine and cedar. Unfortunately, lots of trash too. Second dirtiest river I've ever paddled (Browns Mills section of the Rancocas Creek earns an easy first). Lots of plastic bottles at strainers. Even counted a few propane tanks along the way. River has been groomed at most spots, with only 1 or 2 fresh deadfalls on this trip. (Gotta start packing a saw!) Approaching the Parkway, the scenery is more industrial with buildings, bridges and powerlines ushering you into the downtown area as the Toms turns tidal.

Otherwise, it was a perfect trip. Water was deeper than the length of my paddle at a few check points, and pushing really good.

Baker negotiates a web of branches along the lower Toms.