Return to Beal Island

[bob budd]

Got home Thursday night and finalized packing, putting the boats on the car. Since we were planning a 5:30AM exodus seemed like getting as much done in advance was a good idea. All that stuff in little bags for packing efficiency/options...

Arrived at the putin at 8:10AM. Not the last to arrive we found Jason stumbling out of his car, where he had been napping. Seems he wanted to see if LL Bean really was open at all hours and left his house at 3AM. Ultimately he reached the put-in hours ahead of the rest of us, he cured his bedhead with frequent rolls.

A bit of instruction in packing, nothing heavy in front, tapered dry bags - especially with relief valves, try to keep the deck clean, ... Once all the (heavy) boats were in the water we made our way south and were pleased to find no stink boats were to be seen or heard. All were amused at the trim of Peter Brady's boat, the gearbags on his rear deck erasing any suggestion of a water line.

As we passed Phippsburg it seemed that we were paddling in a postcard with few wispy clouds decorating a blue sky and the church steeple on the bank. However, the foliage was not what we had hoped. Turning east to head toward the mouth of the Back River we found the water quite placid with a few standing waves issuing from the ongoing battle between river and tide. The way upriver and across Hockamock Bay was similarly uneventful as was the trip across the swirls heading south to Beal Island. The dinner bell produced many goodies including fresh guacamole and copious amounts of Shiraz. While the clear skies exposed the many stars above, as well as the Milky Way, the night later froze and challenged many to remain warm in their tents. Still the moon shining through our vestibule "window" was worth extra layers in the sleeping bag.

Set off the next morning after heapin' helpins of oatmeal and chewy bagels. A bald eagle watched us pass on our way back to Hockamock Bay, now and then returning to preening his feathers. As we passed through Montsweag Bay we were unable to explain the absence of the red buoys. Did they run off with the nuns? After passing under the Westport Bridge we chose to take a lunch on a few rocks at the river's edge. The elusive sun came and went as we contemplated the completion of the island's circumnavigation. Considering the advantage of the outgoing tide, we continued around the northern end of Westport island and headed down the Sheepscott. As is the case with these inland waters, the river currents don't match the expected tidal changes and we found our pace south less than expected. By the time we reached the southern tip of the island one of our number was in tow. Rounding the bend into Knubble Bay the considerable current found the now tandem tow with Wile E. Kates paddling for all he was worth (and its considerable, I'll note) to no avail. Behind him the second tower had turned perpendicular in an eddy while the towee sought to come around. Once the three were in line progress into Knubble Bay indeed was made and we returned to the familiar beach. Before turning in, the reports of high winds on the 'morrow led us to plan a short crossing to the (AMC) Knubble Bay camp and an auto shuttle.

The night turned first wet and then windy as expected. It was interesting to hear the gusting wind passing across the nearby islands before it would reach Beal, first shaking water from the trees and then the tent itself. In the morning I caught an early lull in the rain to sneak out for my dry suit and found some of similar intention while others were snug in their beds. After packing in the rain and sending the first four across the bay we left the island with a long goodbye from one of the loons swimming nearby. An osprey also came out to give us a show as we made our way across the bay.

I still cannot fathom how we spent >48 hours with two cheese cakes and ate neither one.

[jonsprag1]

I've heard a rumor that they pull the nuns to confuse kayakers from away.

[Dee Hall]

Bob missed a few things worth reporting.

In general, there was a lot more water than last year. Presumably, this is because of all of the rain. The tide levels were the same, but the water was just a lot higher.

I had hoped to take a short cut through Hall Bay, but Mary said that she was on a trip that had tried that before and there is an all-tide barrier not shown on any of our charts. Bob and Jason confirmed it for the sake of my curiousity.

The first night, during dinner, a great, blue heron landed on the beach in front of us, a silent silhouette at the edge of the water.

Our circumnavigation of Westport Island, at 19.6nm, was a more aggressive version of what I had planned, but the group was quite advanced (and enthusiastic) and we had expected that the current would be with us nearly the whole time. It was against us most of the trip. This was a very impressive group of paddlers. Due to a bit of a late start and an early sunset, we had to make good time. Lunch was short and there was only one other stop that was so brief that I missed it completely. The tow was for time, not because someone couldn't paddle anymore.

The forecast for Sunday was for winds of 25-35 knots sustained with gusts much higher. My float plan hadn't included a possible bailout to AMC's Knubble Bay Camp, but this was the obvious plan for Sunday morning given that it is just over 1/2 mile from Beal Island and we had already dropped a car there for two paddlers that had to leave early. We agreed that cooking and eating breakfast in 25-35 knot winds didn't sound like fund. So saturday night we cleaned up everything after dinner, and battened down the hatches, preparing for heavy winds and rain and an early packing up.

I fell asleep to the sound of rain on the tent and awoke to thunder. There were several strikes within a mile of the Island but none too close. The rain continued through the morning, but the Island did shelter us from much of the wind. The trip across to Knubble Bay Camp was very fast with the current and wind with us.

-Dee

[jason]

I must thank Dee for organizing this most excellent trip. The food, group, location and the paddling was great.

I didn't take too many pictures, the pictures that I took can be found at http://www.kates.org/t/A

-Jason