brambor

hmm. my paddle never squeaks, or at least I never noticed. It probably doesn't have a chance to squeak as I don't really close my hands over the loom very often. My hold is: As you hold your arms in front of you, let the GP rest on your thumbs only. During paddle stroke the bottom hand 2 - 3 fingers briefly push on the loom opposite of the thumbs. The top palm briefly pushes/aids in the hand's gravitational falling. When the palms meet in the middle it's back to the paddle resting on thumbs only. repeat

What's a hand sweek? Did you mean a squeek? One piece carbon paddle does not squeek. For my use a carbon paddle feels better than any wooden GP I ever had. YMMW. I have now had my Superior Carbon paddle for at least 4 years. It is still as new. I am not sure about two piece designs and their fittings but a 1 piece carbon GP will last forever. :-) btw - Gene - I do not remember anymore what my loom and length is.

Try 12wt.com sun protection gloves. I'm not sure if they,are robust but they might be what you need. I tested them last year, not bad. They run cold. Great for warm weather. Sunny weather.

Great report Peter!

sweet. Made one request for reservation via e-mail. Thanks

Great trip in perfect weather.

Cathy, If we paddle to camp again I would gladly bring a second hammock setup for you to try overnight. Rene

Last weekend in Casco Bay - when it was overcast and windy - still used my pogies. Otherwise the water was palatable. No ice cream headache during rolls. Actually did a wet exit twice when 'practicing' rolling and the water was not bad at all (while in my drysuit) I usually switch to neoprene bottom and paddling jacket top around mid June. Seems like I will do the same this year for short trips (level 2) close to the shore.

I bought a box of Fatwood and cut it into shorter sticks. It will start when wet, is lightweight and smells good ;-) I also used it during winter camping in my SOLO woodburning stove during low temperatures when canister stove pressure is suspect and when alcohol stove fuel needs some TLC - wood burns just fine.

Great time with great people. Spring Jewell trip never disappoints. Thanks everyone. Rene

I have posted the trip on SMSKN with a launch from Cousins. It was a safer bet for tide and launch site.

I park there overnight at least 3 times per year but I'm not sure if there is anything official about that. There is the lower parking spot which has 2 hr parking spots (obviously no overnight parking there) and then there are the TRAILERS ONLY parking slots - I have parked there overnight many times. And then there is the other parking lot about 1/10 of a mile from the launch and I have parked there overnight many times as well.

For those considering launching from East End. Please note that the parking at the launch site that is labeled as "Boat Trailers ONLY" has a small print with date ranges. :-) The start date, if my memory serves me right is Memorial Day. I have checked with Gary York and I will be cross posting this trip on SMSKN and hopefully lead a pod of paddlers to Jewell as well. Hope to see you all there.

I would love to go again. My schedule is uncertain if anything I will just show up at the camp site and say hi.

If you name something THE DUMP, you're already on a slippery slope. in the absence of smilies let me close this with LOL and j.k.

are you going to participate?

Give Blood - Go Kayaking!

it's all fun and games until the wind picks up.

They denied me a launch a few years ago when I carried my SOT kayak to the beach. Times must have changed.

I don't believe you are allowed to put in and to land at the Crescent Beach State Park. It is mostly for safety reasons as an 18ft kayak colliding with beach swimmers could be a liability. However, there is a public put in to the on the (northern/eastern?) left side of the beach that is accessible from Kettle Cove. Kettle Cove has free parking btw althought it may be limited depending on the day of the week and season. Crescent beach is not a dumping beach. It is mostly protected by Kettle Cove and Richmond Island that is about a 1/2 mile off shore.

If they were aged 4 and 6 I would tow them six miles

You saved them from potentially life threatening ilsituation. Good. Saving them from spending money is not your problem. I would have probably just accompanied them to closest oort. Let them paddle and taste their decision making. It is a healthy exercise.

meh

The laws should be changed to clearly allow access at least below the high tide mark. Right now it is somewhat vague but you can still land in that zone, take a break and continue on your merry way. You can't camp, like a few years ago when Rick S went with buddies in Casco Bay and got caught in a storm and landed somewhere near cliff island and spent a night with his group. But quick land and go is usually ok. This of course does not prevent a landowner to come over and give you an earful. In which case you can apologize and move on. Who wants to listen to that.

Good to see that the camping season is already starting. Jeff and I were also able to get out this weekend to a MITA island in Caso Bay. Water was cold. Layers were hot. Conditioning was...nonexistent.I struggled to make the 7 miles to the camp. Although I got 1 inch of snow around my house from a an overnight storm. The snow was just about gone from the islands. We saw a lot of flattened grass from snow. Saturday actually turned out to be a nicer day than Sunday. Sunday morning return trip featured a few rainy drizzles but all in all it was just suffering for me to get back into paddling shape after a 4 months hiatus.