Island Tour, Salem Sound

[rylevine]

What can be said of two men of a certain age that decide that despite breathtaking views, sparkling seas, and close wildlife observation, an excursion around Salem sound would not be complete without literally making physical contact with every island and miserable outcropping? Taking advantage of a calm ocean, although in this reporter's opinion it would not have mattered in the least, Blaine and I entered into such a contest at about 10am this morning from Ladys Cove (across from Deveraux). It was in the 30s with a brisk wind from the Northeast, but the sky was clear and tide was high. The circuit was first to Children's and then Dry Breakers, where seals were accidentally encountered (see other thread). Then S. Gooseberry for lunch and N. Gooseberry for launch - men of a certain age cannot resist seals nor seal launches, even when said launches result in battered hulls and jammed skegs. Pope Head offered a another clutch of nervous seals and the opportunity to bump kayaks on rocks. At Bakers, one of us (who is not the reporter), hit upon a beach incantation, perhaps as a way to ward off the other nervous wildlife in the area - namely the notoriously touchy Baker's Island denizens ('why do you think they live on islands'?). Afterwards, on the way to Misery, one of us (who is not the reporter) decided that House was properly in Salem sound although the other of us countered that it belonged to Manchester. Legal niceties notwithstanding, we paddled to and made contact with House Island before turning into mild following winds and seas to the Miseries. After a brief break in the Misery cut, we headed for Eagle Island. At Eagle, it was noted that Coney belonged to Salem Sound - certainly more correctly than House Island. As we gazed across and considered cooling temps and a setting sun, it was suggested by one of us (the reporter) that Coney is certainly in Salem sound but hardly counts as it is such a common launch point into the deeper sound - it would be more appropriate to consider it as an extension of the Marblehead peninsula. Desperation being the mother of invention, that did the trick, and we were on to Children's again and Marblehead rock. However, there was no escaping the fact that Tinkers belongs to Salem (as well as another well-heeled and aggressive human tribe) and could hardly be written off as a launch point into the sound. So it was off to Tinker's and an astounding sunset with the Boston skyline as a backdrop. The Tinker's contact and incantation complete, we paddled into Deveroux in darkness at about 4:45. Although tempted to partake of that other men of a certain age indulgence, namely the beach brewski, it was noted that somehow a warming cup of tea was more appropriate - perhaps this is a sign of a crossover to the men above a certain age condition?!

[bbjorn]

"a crossover to the men above a certain age condition" -- my arse.

The reporter failed to note that one of us (not the reporter) did very much enjoy a cold beach brewski, while the other yearned instead for warm tea.

[brambor]

Loved the report Bob. You guys are good sports.

rb

[rylevine]

"a crossover to the men above a certain age condition" -- my arse.

The reporter failed to note that one of us (not the reporter) did very much enjoy a cold beach brewski, while the other yearned instead for warm tea.

The reporter stands corrected!