rfolster Posted September 3, 2015 Share Posted September 3, 2015 Details remain to be worked out, but the general idea is to paddle the Muscongus Bay area (click link for map) and camp out on MITA islands (click link for info). Launch would be late morning or lunchtime on Saturday, with the itinerary to be based on the group size and weather conditions. There might be an opportunity to have a night paddle, and most importantly, we hope to see the Total Lunar Eclipse which will occur Sunday night starting around 8:00pm and peaking around 10:45pm (hence the extension of the trip into Monday). Where better to see such an event than away from the city lights on some beautiful islands off the coast of Maine?This trip is open to all NSPN members, but we may have to limit the group size, so please post interest here. Requirements are sea-worthy kayaks with bulkheads, proper padding gear and attire, and appropriate camping kit for a weekend island getaway. MITA membership is strongly recommended (NSPN members can get a discounted membership here), and all islands are strictly Leave No Trace, which includes human waste as well. Also be aware that we may paddle upwards of 10 miles per day, but we will not be in too much of a rush to do so. I might expect people to be able to paddle around three knots when needed, but the overall pace will be what is comfortable for the group. If you are unsure of your skill level or outfitting for this trip, please PM me so we can discuss in further detail to determine if this trip will be safe and enjoyable for you. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
cfolster Posted September 3, 2015 Share Posted September 3, 2015 I'm in! Weekend island getaway sounds awesome! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
eburgess Posted September 4, 2015 Share Posted September 4, 2015 Rob, keep me in the loop, please. Not sure at the moment if I can swing getting Monday off, but am definitely interested. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
irinashap Posted September 4, 2015 Share Posted September 4, 2015 Please add me in as well. Thnx Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Thomas Barrieau Posted September 14, 2015 Share Posted September 14, 2015 Checking in to see if there are any new details on this. Two additional people (myself and a friend) are interested. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
cfolster Posted September 15, 2015 Share Posted September 15, 2015 Liz, Irina and Thomas+1, you are on our list. Robert is somewhere in a kayak Downeast right now and will be back late Sunday. He will contact everyone early next week. Please feel free to PM me if you have any questions in the meantime. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Yong S Posted September 15, 2015 Share Posted September 15, 2015 Hello Rob,I would love to join if there's room; always up for an opportunity to look up at a dark sky. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
eburgess Posted September 15, 2015 Share Posted September 15, 2015 Great! Thanks, Cathy! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Thomas Barrieau Posted September 16, 2015 Share Posted September 16, 2015 Thanks Cathy. Looking forward to getting details. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
rfolster Posted September 21, 2015 Author Share Posted September 21, 2015 Long term forecast is looking like a a high pressure over the area with should provide lower wind values and a mostly if not completely dry weekend. This should allow us much more freedom to roam the Bay, and it is also a good sign for clear skies at night to see the lunar eclipse! However, temperatures are getting cooler, especially at night, so plan accordingly with layering options for both on the water and sleeping at night. A warm jacket, hat, and gloves should definitely be along for nighttime and mornings. A more accurate forecast should be available later in the week.I have located a safe over-night parking location on the west side of Muscongus Bay that will cost $5 per car per day ($15 per car for the weekend). I have used this private ramp before, and it is a good location with all-tide access. High tide on Saturday is around 9:45am, and low tide is around 4:00pm, so a noon-time launch should be good for riding the tide out to the islands. Monday's high tide is around noontime, so that should also work well for riding the tide back to the cars by mid day so people can get home at a reasonable hour.I would like to cap the group at six to keep it manageable, and since Cathy can not make this trip due to work obligations on Monday, we are there if everyone goes. I would like firm confirmations or cancellations from everyone as soon as possible, so that others might join in if someone can't go. If I don't get a confirmation by Wednesday night, I will consider you as not going. Once confirmed, I will email the location of the put-in and discuss launch and return times. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
EEL Posted September 22, 2015 Share Posted September 22, 2015 Rob:I am tempted, but might be a case of the spirit is willing, but the flesh is weak after last week. Still, relaxed drive up with lunch at Round Pond before heading out souinds like my kind of trip.Ed Lawson Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
rfolster Posted September 22, 2015 Author Share Posted September 22, 2015 Ed, I will neither confirm nor deny your assumption of the launch location, as I would prefer to avoid any chances of unexpected show-ups. The put-in location will be revealed privately.At least one spot has become available. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
EEL Posted September 22, 2015 Share Posted September 22, 2015 Rob;Oops.I did not mean to hint or suggest the location 0f the launch site. I am just partial to the food at the Round Pond lobster shack so I go there when in area. I was assuming the launch site was elsewhere, but failed to make that clear. Me bad. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
rfolster Posted September 22, 2015 Author Share Posted September 22, 2015 No problem, Ed, just keeping people from getting confused. We have one confirmed as going, and one confirmed as not going. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
irinashap Posted September 22, 2015 Share Posted September 22, 2015 Unfortunately, I wasn't able to get Saturday off. Sorry, I was really looking forward to the trip. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Yong S Posted September 24, 2015 Share Posted September 24, 2015 Rob and Yong are committed to see the eclipse.. Come Join.. Contact Rob for details Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
rfolster Posted September 24, 2015 Author Share Posted September 24, 2015 A glorious fall weekend in store with mostly clear skies each night for possible moonlight paddling and good viewing of the Lunar Eclipse. Last minute entries need to commit by 5pm tomorrow. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
rfolster Posted September 25, 2015 Author Share Posted September 25, 2015 Ladies and gentlemen, nothing good ever comes from a call by a big client after 8:00pm. It turns out that being a responsible adult means that I cannot go out and play this weekend after all. If there is someone else willing to step up, this will be an absolutely beautiful trip with a perfect weekend for seeing the eclipse with minimal light pollution. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
eburgess Posted September 25, 2015 Share Posted September 25, 2015 This "work" thing gets in the way at the most inconvenient times! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
rfolster Posted September 27, 2015 Author Share Posted September 27, 2015 Well, I ended up having an exciting day involving water today, but not in Muscongus Bay, and not even while kayaking. As I sat in my home office, all of a sudden I heard the distinctive sound of water running through the pipes in the house. My home office was converted from the former laundry room, and the old washer hookup was never disconnected from the house piping. For absolutely no reason, the old shutoff let go and water started spraying onto my file cabinets! I was able to run to the basement and shut off the main before it got too bad, and thankfully the cleanup only needed a couple of towels on the floor and whipping off the outside of the cabinets. Although no serious damage done, Cathy was out shopping, and if I had been in Maine, it would have run for a couple of hours! As it was, I was able to cap off the old lines, and all is well again. I am no longer so disappointed about not being able to kayak and camp this weekend. Let's hope the clouds hold off long enough to see the eclipse tonight. Happy viewing! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
eburgess Posted September 28, 2015 Share Posted September 28, 2015 Sometimes things happen for a reason - you were very lucky! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
jason Posted September 29, 2015 Share Posted September 29, 2015 Well, I ended up having an exciting day involving water today, but not in Muscongus Bay, and not even while kayaking. As I sat in my home office, all of a sudden I heard the distinctive sound of water running through the pipes in the house. My home office was converted from the former laundry room, and the old washer hookup was never disconnected from the house piping. For absolutely no reason, the old shutoff let go and water started spraying onto my file cabinets! I was able to run to the basement and shut off the main before it got too bad, and thankfully the cleanup only needed a couple of towels on the floor and whipping off the outside of the cabinets. Although no serious damage done, Cathy was out shopping, and if I had been in Maine, it would have run for a couple of hours! As it was, I was able to cap off the old lines, and all is well again. I am no longer so disappointed about not being able to kayak and camp this weekend. Let's hope the clouds hold off long enough to see the eclipse tonight. Happy viewing!Wow that's not good! I am glad you were around and were able to take care of the issue before it was much worse!When heading out I have it setup to turn off the power to the well pump. I am also looking to add a shutoff as my current setup still leaves a lot of water in the pressure tank that can still make a mess. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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