bob budd

Looking to combine with 1-2 paddlers (my vehicle can carry three) to reduce carbon emissions and filled parking spots. I live in Beverly (Ma).

huh? the person may be warmer in the water than in the air? when are you rescuing this swimmer that the water temp is warmer than the air temp? A cold day in the fall comes to mind. There are certainly others. Just considering the comfort/health of the swimmer. As you later stated the "swimmer" is not necessarily someone who has gone swimming but anyone in the water without a boat/watercraft.

There are many factors to this sort of decision. First of all, the person may be warmer in the water than in the air. A person on the boat would be less of a drag than someone in the water. As for the kayak(er) the person at either end upsets the trim of the boat dramatically but wrapped around the hull versus on the deck is centered about the kayak. If on the deck, lying on/lowest to the deck (somehow) is best and consistent with accepted practice on reentering a kayak.

If this ends up on Sunday I'd be interested, Saturday is Habitat (for Humanity) day for me. Also curious if any local knowledge speaks of Boon Island. Its at once intriguing and looks like another open water crossing followed by "why did we do this?".

<...muddy spot between the HS and Annisquam Bay...> indeed would be Corliss Landing with directions found in "Put-ins" (elsewhere on this board).

I don't know where Smith's Cove is but I have sometime launched from a muddy spot between the HS and Annisquam Bay. It appears that it is at the end of Apple St, I recall that you take a uphill left fork soon after passing the HS.

I'm sorry you had to go through this but its not uncommon for people to take it upon themselves to enforce what the believe the rules are, i.e. sometimes parking is allowed but they feel they are important enough to override the prevailing rules. If you want to know what the regulations are for a particular site I'd suggest contacting the police or other relevant authorities. It won't, however, prevent someone from taking it upon themselves. In that case its important to make sure your spare is inflated, etc. Its probably a good idea to do this more often than most of us do.

Are you a member, if so you could try using the trips board to post a trip suggestion or two and suggested dates to paddle.

As I've heard Walden is limiting parking and also that ocean temperature is in full summer form I'd suggest rolling practice at any ocean put-in. Water, even when its on the cold side of the tide, is no longer "headache ready" and quite refreshing.

I'm assuming you approach the baby gear game with the same zeal you do so with kayaking, camping, etc. As for the kayak, in the early years its good to have a self-bailing boat.

Though most of us were raised with a hand on the forehead it is not an accurate method for determining someone's temperature. Sorry mom.

Women's medium long sleeve rash guard, probably water girl. Two pair Mens 4-7 wool/poly socks, pretty heavy duty. Currently residing in Beverly, could meet/drop off enroute to office in Westford. Next stop, free cycle.

Don't forget that the accuracy in varying temperatures may be compromised. This product very well may have been designed primarily for indoor use (with controlled temperatures). Its a fundamental limitation with LCD technology even today.

I am fundamentally opposed to anything "disposable", i.e. put it in a landfill for who knows how long. These thermometers can be cleaned and reused so they are not necessarily disposable. If they are inexpensive, however, they will generally be treated as disposable. The chemicals are similar to what is used in LCDs. I don't know the specifics of these compounds but the chemicals in LCDs behave very differently as ambient temperatures change so you might not get the same reading on a cold day as you would on a hot day. I prefer to use electronic thermometers. They have LCD displays and they might not provide a readable display on a very cold day, though you could warm them in your hand. Beverly (my city) trades mercury units for electronic units for free (and responsibly disposes of the mercury). I would not have a glass thermometer in a first aid kit that I would hike, paddle, etc. with.

...communicating with our legislators... Mark, please confirm this is already passed and all then note the destination for your protestations should be the governor who (I might add) is running for reelection.

Alas its 6:30PM and the day's gotten away from me. I don't expect I'll make it.

From [Events & Planning] - [Put-ins/Directions]: "Lanes Cove on Cape Ann is on the northwest side of the Cape, providing a starting point for exploring the Annisquam or rounding Halibut Point to get to Rockport and the Dry Salvages. Take Route 128 to the rotary at exit 11, from the rotary head up Route 127 (turn left at the circle), past Annisquam, the UMASS Marine Station and continue. 4.5 miles to Duley Street. Turn left and follow Duley Street 0.1 mile to cove; park anywhere that doesn't block the road. Launch from the head of the cove and then park either in the main lot or back up on the main road - walking distance varies with the tide. " The language "turn left at the circle" is not particularly accurate, it means to travel ~270 degrees around the rotary. If someone unfamiliar with the "malfunction junction" were to take this literally it could be an exciting minute or two for them. I would also note the parking at the easterly end of the cove and would avoid parking on "the main road"/Rte 127.

I just don't see you in a disco, Carl.

If only we paid the real price of oil we would already be using another fuel. Right now it appears we will wait until we've poisoned the entire planet to recognize those costs.

Either night is okay though I'd be best if Friday was chosen by Thursday PM/Friday AM prior to leaving for work.

I believe the plan was to return to Lane's Cove for a reprise of the "paddle after dark".

Is the light in operation? If so it would be easy to keep your bearing, though the several miles are a bit of a stretch for a nighttime excursion, I suppose. Had a very cool interesting experience with a curious seal some years ago, showed a particular interest in my (deck bungied) radio. So much like a dog they can seem.

Plan on attending. Any talk of itinerary? The customary Greasy Pole to Dogbar jaunt?

I would recommend a wet suit, you might be warm while dry but we try to dress for immersion and the water is never that warm. You are also probably used to warmer water temperatures in general. A paddle jacket or similar removable layer is good to have in case you hit a cool day. That said the harbour and surrounding waters tend to be at their best behaviour during the summer. As a non-member you will need a member to post a trip on the trips board.

Bioluminescence is the property of living organisms to emit light, like fireflies. In this case microorganisms in the ocean glow when disturbed. I wonder if rolling generates a filmable bioluminescent trail, it might be interesting to view.