hawk14414

Warren - I watched the posting traffic regarding preparation for your trip with great interest (and a bit of jealously.....), as paddling/hiking/camping in Alaska is most certainly on my wish list. I then sat through the period of radio silence whilst you were on your journey with utter impatience, knowing that your trip report would be fantastic. You are exceeding my expectations - phenomenal photos and commentary. Congrats on the success of your trip, and many thanks for sharing.

Cathy - Many thanks to you for an excellent trip report, and to all on the paddle for an excellent day. I think I am still grinning from my first taste of playing in the rocks, can't wait to get out and try it again! Here's a few pics I took during the course of the day:

Hi Blaine - If it's not too late, I'd love to join as well. I'll be at Stage Fort at 9am....

Pru and Warren - Many thanks again for organizing this trip, and introducing me to the Maine coastal islands. I thoroughly enjoyed paddling and camping with you, as well as Dave and Rogger. The venue was beautiful, the weather exceptional, and the company outstanding. A most excellent way to spend a day or two. Who put that stick there, anyway???

Eric/Dave - Have fun on me! No need to reimburse. Buy me a beer sometime......

I have two slots available for next Sunday's Portsmouth pool session. I won't be able to make either as I need to be in Boston to attend a pinning ceremony - my daughter declaring Chemistry as her major...... Yours if you want them - you should also contact Doug and let him know.

I have one slot scheduled for myself tomorrow, but my son would love to go as well - if not claimed already, we'd love to take the slot. I'll PM Doug..... Thanks!

I've now had a conflict come up as well.......

I've gained spousal permission to join the L2+ paddle.........

WOW! The last photo in that set- with the sun just winking down over the harbor horizon is beautiful. Thanks for sharing. Not sure I'm up for tackling surf (yet), but that photo is super advertising for the surf sessions........nice!

A very enjoyable paddle yesterday - thanks to David for organizing, and to the weather gods for arranging sunshine for us. Link to pictures I took: https://picasaweb.google.com/110825109179401194411/NSPNGreatMarshJune17#

I'd say we would be best to launch from Pavilion. I'd prefer not to tangle with poison ivy this early in the summer, and the parking logistics will be simpler at Pavilion. With a tail current in either direction, the extra miles don't sound to be an issue. That being said - I'm up for whatever direction the group goes.

On the other hand.....Father's day can also allow the Dad to "get away" for the day. I've been given the green light to escape for the day, and I'd love to join the group for the paddle. Long range weather report is looking promising.

Merely a quick comment to all of the above: My son and I took rolling classes through CRCK this past winter, and they used whitewater kayaks to teach the basic skills. For both of us, this translated quite nicely into rolling sea kayaks, which we then practiced over and over at the Haverhill pool sessions on subsequent weekends. He now has an effortless roll, while mine, although working, requires effort. Practice practice practice is the key, and I intend to use the lake sessions to hone the skill over the coming months. Although still nursing a slight injury sustained at Thursday's session, I will be back either this week or next - in addition to sharing observations on my rolling technique, the experienced participants in the session last week shared an incredible amount of paddling techniques with me. I am very grateful for their sharing, and look forward to continuing the discussions and sharing going forward. Muchas gracias.....!

I saw this video on a number of national news outlets last week, so I think it's real. Not only do you see the gulls drop[ in after the whale surfaces, but you can also see the bait fish break the water surface just before the whales do. Very cool! Paddling.net had the following link in regard to the abundance of humpbacks feeding in the area: Link to Santa Cruz Article