Jump to content

L2+ Solstice Paddle


PeterB

Recommended Posts

For the Solstice Paddle, our L2+ our group assembled on Riverhead Beach in Marblehead, at @10AM , just as the two L3 groups were finishing their beach briefings and setting off for their adventures. The beach thinned out considerably once these two flotillas departed, revealing that we were a group of twelve. At our beach briefing , we confirmed that we were all very much on the same page; each person reported that they were game for a mild and pleasant summer paddle on this mild and pleasant summer day, and that the traditional L2+ Solstice trip from Riverhead over to Salem Willows and back, about 8 miles, would fit the bill nicely.

So we set off and made our way through busy Marblehead harbor, ambled along the coast , where we gathered at Fluen Point for our crossing over to Salem Neck. Mr. Hazard took over the proceedings at this point, and we crossed first to the day marker at Knapp Rock and then another tight hop to Winter Island , and rounded Juniper Point to the Willows for a lunch stop.

After about 45 minutes we filtered back on the water and snaked down to Winter Island and its white lighthouse, and , with Mr Hazard again at the helm, crossed back to Marblelhead and continued on our way back to Marblehead Harbor. We clustered again at Peachs Point's and agreed to extend our trip by crossing to Marblehead Lighthouse on the other side of Marblehead Harbor. From there we filtered through the harbor's maze of moored boats back to Riverhead beach , arriving about 3:15PM, and migrated over to the pavilion on Devereaux beach for the traditional potluck .

While at the Willows there had been a bit of talk about the legendary Chop Suey sandwich available at the concessions there , but the group had the good judgment to eschew this dubious local offering , a course of action which stood us in good stead at the end of the day when we returned for the potluck with our stomachs in fine working order, fully prepared to enjoy the delicacies that presented themselves: among the potluck's many highlights were Cathy's Oriental slaw, Pablo's Spanish potato fritatta, Janice's asparagus and goat cheese masterpiece, and Glen' s massive fresh prepared salmon.

I enjoyed this Solstice paddle very much. In our group, Leslie, Blaine, Rob, Sal and Dee contributed ther experience and good cheer, and the nautical and fraternal success of our L2+ paddle was also reported by the other two groups upon their return. Thanks, all, for making this a fine day.

Link to comment
Share on other sites

Wonderful day for the L3 rocks crowd, with Doug and Scott and Rob standing by helping the more timid of us through some narrow shallow openings. Cathy had her first capsize in the rocks, even hit her head (which was, of course, helmet-covered), and pronounced herself just fine -- and ready for more! We stopped at a truly spectacular little pebble beach complete with a small cave for lunch. Our group of ten was mellow and funny, and one of the highpoints was watching Doug and Andy towing to safety a big powerboat that had lost its power and was drifting toward the rocks at Children's Island. Those tow belts really do come in handy!

Thanks to everyone for the paddle and solstice supper!

pru

Link to comment
Share on other sites

It was a great day - we had 34 people show up for this paddle! It was great to see old faces and new!

The Rocks crew had a great paddle. I would like to thank all of them for their encouragement to help me through the rocks - and to Andy and Dan for rescuing me. It was a silly little flip over in almost no conditions, but was my first in rocks.

Here's some pics - I'm hoping Doug posts his as they're sure to be better!!

Till next year . . .

post-102140-0-54534700-1403474979_thumb.post-102140-0-05852900-1403474986_thumb.post-102140-0-12237500-1403474992_thumb.post-102140-0-96785800-1403474997_thumb.post-102140-0-32948700-1403475003_thumb.post-102140-0-00398100-1403475010_thumb.post-102140-0-53696200-1403475016_thumb.post-102140-0-28606800-1403475023_thumb.

post-102140-0-60108300-1403475030_thumb.post-102140-0-04250700-1403475037_thumb.post-102140-0-33715900-1403475167_thumb.post-102140-0-23064300-1403475174_thumb.

post-102140-0-82637000-1403475181_thumb.post-102140-0-46900200-1403475189_thumb.post-102140-0-43325300-1403475197_thumb.post-102140-0-23655000-1403475205_thumb.

post-102140-0-34543100-1403475445_thumb.post-102140-0-36486500-1403475451_thumb.post-102140-0-58638900-1403475458_thumb.post-102140-0-97475500-1403475465_thumb.

post-102140-0-44034700-1403475548_thumb.post-102140-0-96070900-1403475554_thumb.post-102140-0-95006300-1403475561_thumb.post-102140-0-15178000-1403475568_thumb.

post-102140-0-13366800-1403475574_thumb.post-102140-0-23606600-1403475580_thumb.post-102140-0-27747000-1403475586_thumb.post-102140-0-36603900-1403475592_thumb.

post-102140-0-57433200-1403475598_thumb.

Link to comment
Share on other sites

It was a great day - we had 34 people show up for this paddle! It was great to see old faces and new!

The Rocks crew had a great paddle. I would like to thank all of them for their encouragement to help me through the rocks - and to Andy and Dan for rescuing me. It was a silly little flip over in almost no conditions, but was my first in rocks.

Here's some pics - I'm hoping Doug posts his as they're sure to be better!!

Can I assume the paddlers held the powerboat away from the rocks while waiting for a towing service?

Link to comment
Share on other sites

Yes, the tide was going out, and the fishermen were afraid they'd be aground before Sea-Tow arrived. Two of our paddlers attached tow-lines to the stern of the boat and pulled it out a few dozen yards, before realizing that the boaters hadn't pulled their anchor up yet! So they got to do it twice.

Link to comment
Share on other sites

What a wonderful day! What a wonderful group! It was my second NSPN trip, first Solstice Paddle, and I had a wonderful time. Everyone was exceptionally friendly and welcoming to a newcomer, which I appreciated. And the food was incredible. Excellent day--thanks to all who put it together.

Link to comment
Share on other sites

Join the conversation

You can post now and register later. If you have an account, sign in now to post with your account.

Guest
Reply to this topic...

×   Pasted as rich text.   Paste as plain text instead

  Only 75 emoji are allowed.

×   Your link has been automatically embedded.   Display as a link instead

×   Your previous content has been restored.   Clear editor

×   You cannot paste images directly. Upload or insert images from URL.

×
×
  • Create New...