Bar Harbor- Oct. 29-30

[EEL]

Why would two first year paddlers go to Bar Harbor to paddle at the end of October? Good rate on a place to stay after our Stonington plans fell through is the only logical reason as there were small craft advisories all weekend with dark hints of gale warnings on Firday.

What we found once there was the following:

The leaves were still on the trees and colorful.

The crowds were gone.

The wind was from the North so conditions were generally good.

With the air temps either equal to or 15 degrees lower than the water temp, paddling was comfy even when all bundled up.

In fact the crowds were so "gone" that you can now park a the Bar Harbor town dock with ease and for as long as you want. On Friday we were able to paddle around all of the Porcupine Islands without meeting another person, kayak or pleasure boat. There were on two people out on the "bar" when we took a break there.

On Sat. we launched from Seal Harbor when the temp was around 37 (the high was 47)and encountered three local paddlers who paddle every Sat. all year who told stories of giving lost snowmobile riders directions while cruising along the shore. It was a brisk day, but sea conditions were mild in the lee of Mt. Desert with the North wind flattening the swells. So going from Seal Harbor to Sutton to Cranberries to Northeast Harbor and back was an enjoyable day partially spent with some very nice locals who were eager to share their knowledge of the area. Other than a working boat or two and the Coast Guard boat from Southwest Harbor, we had the area to ourselves. The day was gray and we kept an wary eye on the offshore storm clouds, but it was a fun trip just the same.

Sunday was a trip out of Seal cove and up to Pretty Marsh and Bartlett on the west side of Mt. Desert. With the North winds blowing down the narrows it was a beat upwind and then a fast trip back riding the wind waves. Again it was just us and a lobster boat or two and they were nearly a mile off. Great sunny day with milder temps.

All in all gorgeous days on the water with great scenery. Nothing all that adventureous, just fun paddling with a few short crossing and some winding along the rocky shores.

Given the state of the leaves and the weather, paddling up there is likely to be pleasant for at least a few more weeks. The paddlers we met have a website at http://www.mdipaddlers.com, and they would be more that happy to provide info about the area.

[jonsprag1]

Sounds like you had a great time---just curious why did your Stonington plans fall through?---that's got to be the best paddling on the coast---even better than Bar Harbor(although BH has a lot more to do and see off the water)

[EEL]

>just curious why did your

>Stonington plans fall through?---that's got to be the best

>paddling on the coast---even better than Bar Harbor

It was just an odd combination of events and we thought it a lttle late to be camping. Interestingly, the locals on the southwest side of MDI indicated they think of Stonington as an overused place and their area as underused. Of course they know where and when to go to avoid the "tours" and what they consider their local paddling area is rather extensive as it covers the whole southwest of MDI and goes down to the outlying islands near Stonington. Which is to say beyond the islands around Swans. Being heavily involved in MCHT, they also know of great islands that are not shown on MITA materials.

[jonsprag1]

well both places are great--and the fall is the best time to visit Bar Harbor. I guided in Stonington this summer---my wife wanted to know why I didn't get a guiding job in Bar Harbor instead---that way she could come with me and go shopping while I paddled.