dsigall

Great day Joe. Thanks again

Hi Midtempo, have a look at Jones landing, Gloucester. Parking is available and you are launching into the protected waters of the Annisquam. Its not Essex Bay but its lovely. Stay in the back side or paddle just out of the mouth to the light house for a little "taste" of Ipswich Bay. You can't land at Wingearsheek Beach but there are sand bars further up where you can get out and stretch. I think you can launch on any tide though it may be a bit of a walk at the ebb- I recall the bottom beyond the ramp being hard rather than shoe sucking mud so still manageable. Maybe others can weigh in on that? Be aware there are currents, especially over the shallows near the mouth but that is also true of Essex Bay. I was out today and can report the Greenhead threat has subsided for the season.

Sorry to say I won't be able to join you after all. Have a great day- I'll check in later for the trip report.

Hoping to join you tomorrow but I'm still working on clearing the day for fun (one more day of procrastination can't hurt right?) What time are you thinking to launch? Dana

Thanks for putting it together Pru- a beautiful day from launch to trip report. I did enjoy my swim. My only regret is not having thought to use my paddle to swim my boat out of the surf. I had slid in close to the rocks during a relative calm when I noticed the first wave of the inevitable large set rolling in. I turned and paddled hard into it but slid off to the side in break. Rolling up (and feeling smug for about 1/5 of a second) I went over again directly under the break of the next wave. I came out, hooked my legs around the bow and kind of locked my paddle in line with the boat and used my arms to paddle. I was making headway but not very fast. Doug got in close enough for me to clip a line on and paddle off while I transferred to the stern of Jeff's kayak for a ride out another 40'(?) feet or so beyond the break where Doug was waiting with my boat high & dry. Thinking it through with a beer while my gear drip dried on the line in the back yard, it occurred to me that all the half/in/out/on/under the kayak horsing around we do at Chebacco - collectively known as "Stupid Kayak Tricks"- really do add up to some useful skills. This week I'll be paddling my explorer from the outside while Rob & Rick splash water in my face for the full experience. Thanks again Doug, Jeff, Pru and all for a great day.

I'd like to join you too- watching weather and conditions like everyone else. Dana

Planning to join you. -Dana

Good suggestion-thanks. I'll give it a try. It also occurred to me that there may be someone in the northwest paddling community who would have knowledge of kayaking Nihon. best, Dana

While the wind & snow blow by my window I've been thinking about kayaking for a few days in Japan. I will be in the Tokyo area in September and plan to carve out a week for myself when the work is finished- still a long time away but might as well start dreaming (and planning). A little digging on the web has yielded some intriguing possibilities but it would be great to hear from someone with first hand experience. Anyone paddled in that part of the world? Any suggestions for guides & outfitters? Know anyone who might know someone? thanks! Dana ______________________ NDK Explorer white/quill

I sent that buoy data to a oceanographer friend. Given the relatively short timespan of the temp gradient and without additional data from a wider area he thought it was probably due to "vertical mixing" as a result of churning by wind and swell from the storm- more or less as Brian suggested. There is another mechanism that can transport cold water from the depths to the surface called Ekman pumping. It's due to friction on the water's surface coupled with the effect of the earth's rotation. It requires relatively constant winds over a few rotations (days) to get going so it wouldn't be responsible for temp changes happening over a span of a few hours. There is some interesting info (if you like that sort of thing ) on the properties of fluids in rotation and how they contribute to oceanic an atmospheric conditions at the Weather-In-A-Tank site http://paoc.mit.edu/labguide/projects.html Dana

Liz, thanks so much for the info.

Wondering if there is a place to land (or bale if need be) between Lanes Cove & Pigeon Cove. I know that most of the ocean front is private in that area but has anyone found that a short stop in Folly Cove or Hoop Pole Cove is tolerated? Thanks in advance for any advice. Dana

I won't be able to make it– found another item lurking in the household calendar. Have a great day! Dana

Most likely yes for me. I'll post later to confirm. Dana

Ill be there. Thanks!

Thanks for the background Ed. That makes more sense. A few of the images do show bladders on the rear deck or in the water.

Yeah, some of these images are really captivating, one of my favorites– http://www.spri.cam.ac.uk/library/pictures/catalogue/article/p48.16.347/ What do you think the 2 short blade-like things are on the deck in this image? http://www.spri.cam.ac.uk/library/pictures/catalogue/article/p2001.84.8/ They each have a notch in the edge– maybe a harpoon throwing stick? Club to subdue a lively catch? Spare paddle just in case? Multi-tool? Interesting how the harpoon tie-off (I think that's what it is) runs down the back leg of the creel, under a deck line and around behind the cockpit opening. It must fasten at the stern, don't you think? I suppose you would want your seal to pull the kayak sideways so as to give as much resistance and tire your catch as quickly as possible. Must take some very quick & astute bracing bracing skills. Dana

Yesterday, after stowing my kayak out of the way of the weather I had a little time for some aimless web wanderings and found an amazing collection of photographs made in Greenland by members of the British Artic Air Route Expedition in 1930 & '31. Seal hunting, rolling, kayak frames, sewing on skins on frame, deck fittings, Inuit people & dwellings– it's all there and really beautifully photographed. The Scott Polar Research Institute at the University of Cambridge maintains the originals and online database and catalogue of this expedition and many others as well going back as far as the Franklin Expedition of 1857. The BAARE photos are at http://www.spri.cam.ac.uk/library/pictures/catalogue/baare/gallery/'>http://www.spri.cam.ac.uk/library/pictures/catalogue/baare/gallery/ The step off page of the entire expeditions library is at http://www.spri.cam.ac.uk/library/pictures/ enjoy! Dana

Hey Rob, Jason & I will join you. See you there. Dana

See you there!

I'll join you. Any further thoughts on which direction from Lane's cove?

Sounds good Ross, see you there, Dana

I'm interested. Nov 15? Dana

I have a kayak that may work well for your son. I've sent a message through NSPN with details. Let me know when you've had a chance to take a look. best, Dana

I'll join you too if the creek's big enough for all of us. Dana