Annual Solstice Paddles Saturday 6/24 - IT'S A GO!!!

[Dee Hall]

Mild forecast with rain. The trips are a go! Make sure you bring a paddle jacket or rain jacket.

The Pavillion for the Potluck is sheltered, so we will still have our celebration after.

Celebrate the Summer Solstice with NSPN on a traditional paddle in Marblehead Harbor and Salem Sound followed by a potluck picnic on Devereux Beach. Those that don't paddle are welcome to join us later for the potluck around 5:30PM.

There will be three paddles this year, a level 2 for those that are just getting started paddling, a level 2+ for those who have gotten quite comfortable in their boats and are ready to paddle 10 miles with a group, and a level 3 for those experienced paddlers who can handle some waves up to 2 feet and distances up to 15 miles. Please review the trip levels at: http://www.nspn.org/play-trip-levels.html make sure it is an appropriate trip for you first. (Level 2+ is a new level this year that still fits in the level 2 category, but allows us to more easily cater to the large skill range of level 2 paddlers.)

To RSVP for a trip, please supply the following information in your FIRST e-mail:

1) Your Name

2) Your ACA/NSPN member # and expiration date (If you have not yet received your ACA/NSPN card, forward a copy of the email acknowledging receipt of your application. If you are participating with an event waiver, state that you will be bringing the two waiver forms:

http://www.nspn.org/NSPForm0106.pdf

and a check for $10 made out to NSPN.)

3) A description of your boat (color, length, make)

4) An emergency contact for the day of the trip (name and phone#)

5) A way for the Trip Leader to contact you in the 36 hours before the trip (email and telephone)

6) If the Trip Leader does not already know you, your "paddling resume", i.e., a brief description of your paddling experience. This can include recent NSPN trips you have been on, members or Leaders you regularly paddle with, classes taken, practice sessions attended, assessments completed, etc. It need not be more than two sentences

All trips will be leaving from Riverhead Beach:

http://www.nspn.org/play-put-ins.html

The level 2 trip will be leaving at 12:00 PM. RSVP to Bethany Ericson at bethany at infinitesea dot com.

The level 2+ trip will be leaving at 11:30 AM. RSVP to Roger Pollock at rogerpollock at aol dot com.

The level 3 trip will be leaving at 11:00 AM. RSVP to Bob Budd at bob dot budd at verizon dot net.

[bob budd]

Three participants have signed up so far, the limit is six.

As a reminder an RSVP contains the information in the following example. If said information is/has not been received any other communications do not constitute an RSVP.

REQUIRED INFO:

1) Mickey Mouse

2) ACA 112233 EXP12/31/2006

3) NDK Explorer, Navy blue on white with black stripe, 17' 8"

4) Minnie Mouse (407) 939-7645

5) mortimer.mouse@disney.com (407) 934-7639

[bethany]

Hi,

If you're new to your boat or to paddling, or you're not feeling in your top summer paddling form yet, Saturday is still a great time to come out. There are lots of folk with different boats to take a gander at, and a fun atmosphere. We'll be taking the Level 2 trip within the harbor: house and boat and people watching, along what was once the Gold Coast of Massachusetts. We'll probably take a look at Crowninshield Island, a Trustees of Reservations property just off the point where the obese Mrs. Crowninshield used to bathe naked and walk her fleet of Pekinese. . . want to know more? C'mon along!

--b

[alcoons]

Looking forward to Saturday. Can we get a little more information about the "potluck" dinner. Is it more BYO or potluck? Hoping to stay for it but that part is still up in the air.

Thanks,

Al

Al Coons

Eddyline Nighthawk

Red/White

[bob budd]

Everyone is expected to bring enough to (over)feed themselves and everyone samples from the table. Desert is encouraged.

[natalia]

Also - if you happen to have a portable gas grill and/or portable tables and chairs - those are great additions! We've grilled burgers, chicken and sausages at past solstice potlucks.

We at NSPN go all out for our potlucks! You will eat to full capacity if you sample a little bit of everything. ;-) Cheers!

[hopefloats]

How often do these potlucks-in-mass happen? Are there any later in the summer, like August? I heard rumors of potluck camping & kayaking weekends, and x-mas parties also... or is this the major one?

Heidi

[Dee Hall]

This is one of the biggest, but many paddles have a lunch component during a landing in the middle where you would be surprised by the quality of the food shared.

Then there are the camping trips....

-Dee

[hopefloats]

Thanks! we're new and will definately be on the look-out for more mixer opportunities! My husband can't make this one, I might be able to visit the BBQ alone this time, but we both are looking forward to meeting you all! ......and WE LOVE CAMPING!....

[rcohn]

Hi,

What (if any) are the plans for inclement weather? Current forecasts for the weekend don't seem to be too optimistic.

Thanks,

Ralph Cohn

Elaho DS, blue & white with yellow trim

[bethany]

Hi,

I arranged with the Trustees that NSPN folk paddling on Saturday do not have to pay the $5 fee to land on Crowninshield Island.

Of course please consider becoming a member of the Trustees or giving your $5 anyway to support this public land trust. And be extra nice to the rangers (Ann Peterson and Greg Dooley this summer) there.

--b

[bob budd]

Assuming you don't mean "will we still paddle in the rain" we would follow standard procedures for official trips regarding thunderstorms and expected conditions. As far as the pot luck, we've been under the pavilion under worse conditions than are being forecast.

[Dee Hall]

Announcements of cancellations will be made early Saturday morning on the message board. Paddlers who don't have access to the message board should have made alternate communcation arrangements in their RSVP to their assistant/trip leader.

-Dee