2019
State No. 44 started at Blackstone River State Park, which is also the site of the Captain Wilbur Kelly House Transportation Museum, meaning another National Park stamp for the passport.
We paddled down the river, where deer jumped in the water in front of us, portaged across the bike path and then paddled up the canal. They were not lying when they said: "Be prepared for a 'wet portage'. Rubber soled [sic] shoes that can get wet are a must for any paddling trip on the Blackstone River. Getting in and out of your boat in water and mud is part of every trip." The points of the 50-state paddle (if there are any other than racking up Southwest Rapid Rewards), is to demonstrate that "everywhere is awesome" and that you can paddle everywhere. So, I try not to have favorites, but was one of one them. It was like two paddles in one.