Rodney’s First Outing with His Nosejob

[bob budd]

Got home last night after playing b-ball and found a third victim for my latest half-day escapade. Passed on the particulars and checked the weather again, still moderate but acceptable S or SW winds. My original intent of going up the coast towards Gloucester had already evolved into exploring the Salem Sound archipelago should we wish to ride the wind back to the put-in. My aching wrist, the victim of a bone collision during a pick from which there was no clear winner, gave me slight pause.

Morning began with early light, I crawled from the sack at 6AM. Having packed the night before I had time to recheck e-mail and the weather report. A confirmation from our fourth from the former, more or less the same story from the latter. The sticky, wet, air made me wonder if we would end up in the midst of a pop-up thunderstorm. I got out of the house in good time and thought I was the first one to the launch. The fire engine red boat, already in the water and airing out what turned to be a new boat, was our third.

While I unloaded Roger came back to the launch, Walter arrived, and Jason arrived last. Jason was paddling his new Shadow, actually the second delivered to him the first having arrived looking not unlike a somewhat famous Outer Island. We four were soon in the water and headed out of the harbour.

As we emerged from the mouth of the harbour the forecast wind was there, the water having a playful swell. We headed towards Misery Island passing to the northeast of the island. Our next stop was the Gooseberries, eschewing Wilbur's swimming spot for a pile of rocks peeking its head above the low tide. We spent some time discussing Roger’s first survival suit/dry suit and other important topics. Walter handed out energy bars to all takers.

As the rising tide shrank the rock pile we returned to the water. We headed out to the Breakers, happening upon some seals, then headed back around Baker’s and went between the Misery Islands. With the wind at our backs, the cloudy skies clearing, and the sun rising in the sky the temperatures had some of us sculling down to dip our arms and torsos.

As we headed through the harbour to the put-in we passed a few stink boaters. We all noticed the young woman sitting in the back of one boat, she wasn’t wearing a PFD. We saw another pair heading out in open cockpit boats, Walter got close enough to check for PFDs and exchanged pleasantries.

Jason carried a GPS, it credited us with 10 nm. As with other morning excursions, I stood at my rig packing the gear and wishing I could stay out in the sun and water.

[traction]

WOW!

Rodney finally gets some respect!

[Walter]

Thanks for the well organized, planned, and lead SNG.

The day really did turn out in our favor.

Thanks again

Walter

Impex Assateague

Emerald Green/ White