Cath

Great info! Love this. I want to see more!

I think that all states still have some limitations. My understanding is that New Hampshire state owned campgrounds are open to NH residents only and that commercial campgrounds in NH can only serve residents and those with season passes/leases. I am not clear on how long these restrictions last. From what I have read, NH is a bit worried about Massachusetts visitors but the governor is basing decisions on what he believes will hold up in court. It seems that a lot of states are wary of encouraging travel and moving around. I am not sure when camping and lodging will be available to out of state visitors in the rest of New England. Most states have initiated or requested a 14 day quarantine for out of state arrivals at some point. On March 27, Massachusetts required a 14 day self quarantine for travelers from out of state, and on March 28 New Hampshire requested that out of state travelers follow a voluntary 14 day self quarantine. Maine announced the requirement on April 3. I am not sure when NH and MA are lifting the 14 day quarantine. I thought it was expected at least until the end of this month, but maybe someone can fill me in on that. Maine may be slower to welcome short term visitors but is not the only state concerned about travel. It is true that the self quarantine requirements are not easy to enforce. It seems to be based on the honor system. I guess it also depends on how assertive individual businesses decide to be, and maybe here and there how assertive the locals decide to be. There are plenty of out of state cars in Maine right now and for the most part we can't tell who has been here a while and who has not, once all the gear is unloaded anyway. I am not saying what is right or wrong and I can see that there can be some variations in interpretation. I know that it is frustrating for everyone. Hang in there. We will be kayaking and camping together again.

Here is some info: https://www.maine.gov/dacf/parks/water_activities/aww-river-conditions.shtml https://www.pressherald.com/2020/04/29/maines-most-popular-parks-to-remain-closed/

https://www.landvest.com/property/446748742/130-settlement-road-stonington-me-04681/

https://www.pressherald.com/2020/04/28/read-gov-mills-timeline-on-reopening-maine-businesses-public-spaces-and-activities/#

Here is another hint. Many of you have seen this area, though maybe not from a kayak. There is a boat launch nearby and it is easily accessible. (Truthfully, I just really like the moon.)

You might recognize this spot.

Thanks - I missed seeing there was one on Tuesday. Looking forward to Sunday!

Yes, I can't say it is a good movie. But it was filmed nearby. I did laugh a few times though. But then again, entertainment is hard to come by right now.

If you have access to Amazon Prime and watch "Blow the Man Down" you will likely recognize some of the scenery. Caution - not appropriate for children.

I have had really good luck with the REI Passage 2 tent, and it is not very expensive. Plus REI has the 20% off special going until April 6th that I think will work. I have tended to avoid the mostly mesh tents as I find them cold, and I like the ventilation of the Passage 2 as it has top vents. It is a little bulkier than some but my boat is also pretty low volume and I use compression sacks and squeeze it in. https://www.rei.com/product/168433/rei-co-op-passage-2-tent-with-footprint?CAWELAID=120217890009873420&cm_mmc=PLA_Google&product_id=1684330001&ad_type=pla&channel=online&partition_id=478694200797&target_id=pla-478694200797&brand_flag=&adgroup_id=30320809120&campaign_id=371830840&location_physical=9002738&cid=105507178240&network=g&network_type=search&device_type=c&merchant_id=1209243&gclid=CjwKCAjw95D0BRBFEiwAcO1KDGVoI_yoc3tH5WZ0cbVByDzFXyamhDZhLldmnyAUkoE0XfOVivorrxoC0OsQAvD_BwE&gclsrc=aw.ds I am also going to be giving the Big Agnes Van Camp SL2 tent a try this season. It is also on the more affordable side and looks promising. I read lots of reviews and have high hopes for it. I cannot officially vouch for it yet though. https://www.rei.com/rei-garage/product/151584/big-agnes-van-camp-sl2-tent?CAWELAID=120217890005617956&cm_mmc=PLA_Google_Outlet&product_id=1515840001&ad_type=pla&channel=online&partition_id=133231646200&target_id=pla-133231646200&brand_flag=&adgroup_id=16301317480&campaign_id=184376080&location_physical=9002738&cid=55518619600&network=g&network_type=search&device_type=c&merchant_id=1209243&gclid=CjwKCAjw95D0BRBFEiwAcO1KDI9kkdpt62fuYLRS0Ixg42smX6oqBJ4CakbGSw9IRWRgkhuAdzg_0hoCTt8QAvD_BwE&gclsrc=aw.ds Stay away from the REI Quarterdome as the fly does not hold up well, and when that goes you get seriously wet! Also this thermolite reactor extreme liner from Sea to Summit may be useful. I take it most of the time. When it is warm I can use it inside my bag but with the sleeping bag itself unzipped. https://www.rei.com/product/797114/sea-to-summit-thermolite-reactor-extreme-sleeping-bag-liner?CAWELAID=120217890000845708&cm_mmc=PLA_Google&product_id=7971140012&ad_type=pla&channel=online&partition_id=279652200469&target_id=pla-279652200469&brand_flag=&adgroup_id=15724606120&campaign_id=180122080&location_physical=9002738&cid=52774014640&network=g&network_type=search&device_type=c&merchant_id=1209243&gclid=CjwKCAjw95D0BRBFEiwAcO1KDChbh3CR5JkzUxp2YLvjs78WGM2Fnihl3w815BKcH_qtChPa2R6dVBoC3uQQAvD_BwE&gclsrc=aw.ds https://www.backcountry.com/sea-to-summit-thermolite-reactor-extreme-sleeping-bag-liner?CMP_SKU=STS0084&MER=0406&skid=STS0084-RD-ONESIZ&mr:trackingCode=04D91163-0459-E411-B200-BC305BF82376&mr:referralID=NA&mr:device=c&mr:adType=plaonline&iv_=__iv_p_1_g_35216582613_c_154694014757_w_pla-583490001725_n_g_d_c_v__l__t__r__x_pla_y_7811_f_online_o_STS0084-RD-ONESIZ_z_US_i_en_j_583490001725_s__e__h_9002738_ii__vi__&CMP_ID=PLA_GOc001&utm_source=Google&utm_medium=PLA&k_clickid=_k_CjwKCAjw95D0BRBFEiwAcO1KDFJWFDD4Fmkj3bpxCUaWS3Wz7YqvvVMzCnMUw0O364c1ETpLsd7XwRoCkX8QAvD_BwE_k_&gclid=CjwKCAjw95D0BRBFEiwAcO1KDFJWFDD4Fmkj3bpxCUaWS3Wz7YqvvVMzCnMUw0O364c1ETpLsd7XwRoCkX8QAvD_BwE The photos of the Sea to Summit liner at REI and the one at Backcountry look a little different, but I think they are the basically the same thing. The Backcountry one is on sale (but the REI does have the 20% off on one item.) Sure can't wait until we can all camp together again.

I figure it is about time to start passing around winter reading ideas and recommendations. So - here is mine: The Last Man on the Mountain by Jennifer Jordan https://www.amazon.com/Last-Man-Mountain-American-Adventurer-dp-0393339971/dp/0393339971/ref=mt_paperback?_encoding=UTF8&me=&qid= And while on the topic of cold exploration - here is some information that I think is interesting, especially since Eagle Island in Casco Bay is a popular stop. https://www.pressherald.com/2019/09/18/bowdoin-college-exhibit-honors-african-american-among-first-to-reach-north-pole/ https://www.bowdoin.edu/arctic-museum/exhibits/2019/matthew-henson-first-african-american-at-the-north-pole.html https://www.bowdoin.edu/arctic-museum/educational-resources/arctic-biographies/henson.html

I love it, have camped there I think 4 or 5 times. Great place!!!!! 1. Favorite sites are 6 and 12. I think 5 is pretty good too. A lean-to is helpful as a gathering place or place to get out of the rain. If I recall correctly with 3 and 4 we pulled boats up to the main dock area and used carts to get gear over. The view from 3 and 4 is of Isleboro and the ferry terminal. Did not stay at 5 and can't recall the details there. I have stayed at 6 a couple times. We kayaked to the site - I recall that it is a longer walk at low tide but don't remember mud. Great view of Camden and Lincolnville. With 7 I remember mud, lots of it, at low tide, but it was good mussel gathering., and scenic. Can't recall what I did at site 12 but have stayed there and liked it. 2. The cost is per site, up to 6 per site. Lots of space to spread out with tents. Very well cared for. 3. You will want to reserve a site if possible though I have ended up there with some friends when initially planning on a different destination and found a site. 4. The rangers are always nice. 5. You should take some cash - it makes the rangers happy if they can sell you a Warren Island State park hat or water bottle or other souvenir (but they do not push it on you, and maybe they don't carry those items anymore. but it is always fun to shop). I once bought a water bottle, a friend bought a hat. One year I bought my state park pass from the ranger at Warren Island and he was quite pleased as I was the first person he ever sold a park pass to on the island (although possibly the other ranger had, but as far as I know I was the first!). He could not take a credit card there so he gave me the pass and I mailed him a check when I got home. 6. Don't run into the ferry. It is big. If you leave from Lincolnville beach it will likely pass you at some point, pretty close too if you take a direct route. 7. Parking at the ferry terminal is safe but can add up. I can give you some parking ideas if you are going for an extended time or with a small group. 8. Generally have not had trouble with bugs, but one we year got there after a lot of rain and had quite a few mosquitos (but only once and not like that trail we did in Muscongus this summer...and they only bite the out-of-staters...) Cath

I did hear back from Gray Homestead Campground - no tents allowed.

Nick - We did have fun last year. Thanks for that great trip. Dan has some excellent suggestions but I think a few things at Gray Homestead Campground recently changed. They now offer only RV sites. The fee is $48 per night, or if oceanfront, $65 per night. Mid June to Sept, it is a 7 night stay minimum, Sat to Sat only. There is a 3 night minimum May through early June. My understanding is that they are moving towards getting as many seasonal commitments as possible. I am not sure if they would allow tents on the RV sites. I sent an email to see, will let you know what I hear back from them. I think that Floods Cove / Ames Island is a great area. I would love to camp there sometime. I stopped once when kayaking by and it is very nice. I do not believe that you can actually drive to the sites, but would have to kayak or boat over. I think that you are looking for a car camping weekend, but if not it opens up more possibilities. Hadley Point Campground is not actually on the water, but they are very nice and are kayaker friendly. There is a nice beach nearby. I think that you may be wanting to stay further south. It may be a little too far for a weekend trip for those driving in from other states. Winslow Park is very popular with kayakers. The ocean front sites are very windy but there is good launching for campers. The regular launch site is painfully muddy and difficult below half tide, but the beach area for campers is good. I think that this or Lobster Buoy may be your best bet, for a Friday to Sunday trip. Dan suggested some great campgrounds and areas (let's just camp all summer?). Thanks for looking into this again Nick - you did a great job planning it last year. Cath

That is one of my favorite areas. Right from the launch in South Bristol you can do the The Thread of Life, Thrumcap (as already mentioned) circumnavigate Rutherford, or mosey over to Colonial Pemaquid. You can also go up the Johns River or Pemaquid River (they apparently used the term "river" loosely when they named these). You can easily drive to Round Pond to launch, and then have all of Muscongus available. For a short but interesting paddle, you can launch at Damariscotta and go with the tide to explore the Salt Bay and oyster shell middens. Actually from South Bristol you can also drive to quite a number of launches without even having to get back on Route 1. It is often helpful to factor in tides but there is something to do at any stage in the tide cycle.

I am five feet tall. I appreciate the hullavator, but they add weight and drag to the car, and must decrease gas mileage. If I were taller I would opt for a different system.

This photo sums it up!

Another photo (the other side). It was lots of fun, thanks Nick!

The Vector XL tents from LL Bean get good reviews. They have 4 and 6 person tents. LL Bean is having a 25% off Labor Day sale until 9/5 too (for purchases over $50). I just experimented with the code (LABORDAY) and it does work for these tents, and likely all of them. At least you know the return policy is good! I have been a long time REI member and fan but my REI Quarterdome tent started leaking buckets after a few seasons of very moderate use. When I called customer service to ask if there was something I could do with the rain fly to make it waterproof again I was told that they only expect tents to last 6 years. I don't think I had even had it that long, and I know it only had light and careful use, but I didn't pursue it any further. My REI Passage has been a good tent for me, but has started leaking too, so I am not sure I would recommend an REI tent. I hope you have lots of good trips with whatever you pick out.

I can do June 4, and I think the 22 would also work

Thanks, good to know.

I would be interested in doing it, I have been wanting to.

Another alternative, have not tried this but might be helpful. https://www.amazon.com/Seattle-Sports-Sherpak-Boat-Roller/dp/B009PAAI5I/ref=cm_cr_arp_d_product_top?ie=UTF8

Noticed this on another club site. Sorry about the ads. http://www.fox13news.com/news/local-news/121074981-story