While driving along route 115 in Millis one day, I came across a small, dirt parking area that I had never really noticed before. The entrance was sort of hidden away, the nearby bushes all overgrown. Alongside the parking lot, there was a river. The sign said that this was a launch area for small boats and identified the river as the Charles River. The Charles River, I thought? I walked along the riverbank, just listening to the sound of the water rushing over the rocks. I remember wondering if you could actually go all the way to Boston on this river.
I didn't really give it much thought after that. That is until one day, a couple of years later, when I was walking along another small river, this one in Norfolk. Wondering where it was headed, I Checked the map and found that this was the Mill River and it flowed into the Charles River a short distance away. Suddenly, I was awestruck. I thought again of that launch area I had found in Millis a couple of years earlier. The thought of this little stream flowing into the Charles and eventually through Boston and beyond was just fascinating to me. I began to study the maps and follow the river. I found that there are actually many launch areas all along the Charles, where you can just drop a boat in and spend a couple of hours or even the entire day on the water. And yes, you can go all the way to Boston.
Throughout the following winter, I visited the river often, exploring many different launch areas. I studied maps and planned various trips. All I needed was a boat. When Spring came, I borrowed a canoe from a friend and put in at Forest Road in Millis. It was great! I went out again a couple of weeks later. The feeling of being out on the water and following the river was just incredible! The next time, when I rented a kayak, I was hooked. Before I knew it, I was buying a kayak of my own and going out every chance I got. I couldn't stay away. I still can't, the river just keeps calling to me.
After not being able to find much information on the internet about kayaking on the Charles, I decided to put the information on the Web myself. And so, OnTheCharles.com was born. I hope you're able to find the information you need here.