I saw the light blink

[bob budd]

Almost did the unimaginable. Gear in the car. Boat on the car. Went back for a cold drink. Came back with a few other things. Set the drink on top of the car. Saw the straps weren't assembled and tightened. Close call.

On through the dampness towards Rte 128. Realized I didn't know how to get to Conomo Pt. Called Dee to find the route (from Beverly-right past the pool) was Rte 22 to Rte 133 but no details thereafter. Then got onto 133 and called Walter, assuming he'd be at home. Instead we was at NESC, delayed undoubtedly by the various aquatic roadblocks recently installed and his gregarious nature. Found (Rita) Harlow St and on to Conomo Pt Rd and the put-in. Passed the house, dropped the boat at the put-in and returned to the house.

Walter had recently "liberated" a greenland paddle (the holy grail?) from a certain domicile in Lynn (don't want to give him away). He decided to bring it along with one of those funny looking paddles with Mr. Maas's name on it.

The day promised to be damp but the wind forecast was less than chastening, Sunday promising more blow. Set off for the mouth of the river across the flooded marsh and proceeded to the south end of Crane's Beach/Neck to do a bit of surfing. The waves were modest but slow enough for me to get a few rides. The lone capsize found me knee deep at the shore dumping the water from my boat and leaping back on for a "parlour trick". Quick and easy, that. Also glad to find that the wetsuit, rubber shirt, and paddle jacket was sufficient warmth for the conditions.

After the waves became hard to find we chose to paddle towards Pavilion Beach. The wind was steady and unpleasantly strong but the driving rain in the face made it all the more enjoyable. As you might expect three guys were unwilling or perhaps constitutionally unable to admit that this was unpleasant enough to turn around. Besides, we were looking for the blink light on Crane's Beach. Those with charts will see an aid to navigation listed, the "tower" stands along one of the walkways and poor Walter has never seen it blink.

Ducked into cover at the north end of Crane's Beach for a bit of food and drink. Sailed back to the mouth of the Essex in 1/4 of time we took to paddle up. Rodni has a big butt, the bulk of my energy was spent pointing the boat and none of us were paddling for forward progress. Sometimes I was able to paddle on one side and set a ferry angle, this against the wind only.

Once inside the basin we needed to wind this way and that to avoid the abundant sand bars. Don't paddle here without a local, you'll end up aground like the harbourmaster of Walter's childhood, but that's another story and his.