Jump to content

York Harbor to Jewell I., May, 2016, Just Because


gyork

Recommended Posts

Because I was trying to connect dots along the entire Coast, pre-Jewell was a good opportunity get some extra paddling in, as I try to extend Coastal Maine trips whenever I can.  You wouldn't (and most don't) choose this particular trip for its classic Maine shoreline.  Instead, expect miles-long sand beaches, motels, resorts, cheek-by-jowl houses, and boringly straight coastline.  York Harbor was the first dot, but how to arrange for overnight parking?  Google satellite helped me locate a fairly convenient Turnpike park-n-ride, ~5min from the launch site.  Now, if I could find a willing south-bound Jewell participant that could ferry me and the School Bus back to the lot.  Of course Peter B said yes right away.  

A local taxi service was willing to shuttle me to the launch @ 0630, the weather and tides were optimal, so off I went.  Delorme (now Garmin) Gazetteer (please don't discontinue these) sufficed for the majority of the trip; I find their detailed coastline features very accurate, and any aids to navigation were land-based, and somewhat familiar to me.  It was calm, clear, and overcast the first day, and my point-to-point paddling, after a slight struggle fighting the early flood of York River, had me aiming for Cape Neddick Light, Bald Head, and the northern breakwater at Wells Beach, where I landed, sandwiched, and strolled.  The final leg of the day took me to my camping destination at Cape Porpoise, a beautiful MITA site, unfortunately barred to its neighbor (near-low tide), resulting in a few extra minutes to the landing.  I was not a little startled to spy a local near my tent site; she must have hoofed it from the mainland over the expansive "flats", a feature this area is known for.  I chose the pine grove over the exposed shoreside site, set up camp, then set off on the requisite hike around the island.  I was now in my element-the solitude and quiet I had experienced on my many sea safaris.

Day 2 was picture perfect, and a lazy start had me heading to Biddeford Pool and Wood Island.  A rest stop at the western tip of the latter, was NOT uneventful, as a sloppy shoreline exit brace gave me a little jolt.  I was lucky not to injure my hands on the jagged edges.

IMGP0001.thumb.JPG.f52a9e8d458d06f6e52cfd32b0e9ea39.JPG   

Of course I had a spare, and the Greenland would perform admirably for the next several days. Off again, to spend a lazy day at Old Orchard Beach, and then, cheating a little, finding local accommodations to rest my head.  Day 3 was lazy too, as I paddled without (much) purpose, stopping where I could to rest and/or hike, making my way to Bug Light in S. Portland, for a 6pm rendezvous with Peter, Kyle, Cathy and Rob, this new launch pod paddling to Jewell at Twilight.  For the rest of the story:  http://www.nspn.org/forum/topic/11169-annual-jewell-island-kayak-camping-weekend/

 

Link to slideshow, including Jewell weekend:  https://photos.google.com/share/AF1QipP9FOUqlcp8UZxiUJSlRH29jVKck06gqG6pFL7MdA_ZAasM-gn91z14ViRmyrV8Xw?key=dmp0aXJ2Um1rcFgwV2xVRU51VWphdFQ3bFpaR2ZR

 

POSTSCRIPT:  WERNER DID A GREAT REPAIR TO THE TUNE OF ~$50.  BIG MONEY (POSTAGE) TO SEND IT FOR REPAIR.

Edited by gyork
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...