bob budd

The way I read Sunday weather (NOAA) is that there's more likely to be precipitation Sat nite than Sun nite and that Sun t-storms are not a nighttime concern. I would go either night, though reserving the right to pass should weather go foul. I would suggest we go with Christopher's original plan for this trip as he has put in the effort, though would also go from Gloucester Harbor, adding that there would be less hassle at the put-in parking-wise and most-everythig-wise at Lane's Cove.

Little Jack Horner pulled out the plug. Further evidence of declining educational standards.

Pebble Beach is a challenge to park cars at most of the beach season. I personally can't imagine where you would put all that hardware, though having mostly paddled with a certain NSPN founder I've never seen it at 9AM. We've arrived late AM to early PM and been challenged finding a couple spots, often pulling a 4WD perpendicular on the stones to get the most of scant parking space. Make sure to pay attention of the signs as some of the stretch is not allowed for non-residents or perhaps at all. The best bet is Lane's Cove, albeit on the other side of the island. In the summer season I'm not sure I'd depend on parking anywhere else. I've even had better luck in the small lot in Gloucester Harbour arriving early.

After taking the "survey monkey" test consider a "trunk monkey" commercial compilation to unwind...

To mister "swim free or die" there is no cost for walking to the pond and swimming but parking is not free. The website says the cost of parking is $5 and does not mention any breaks for being an old fogey.

Wow, an interesting range of points of view. I am ambivalent. For me, the first thing is that the state certainly has the right to "sell to the highest bidder". From there I see several people I almost consider friends (don't hang out, etc.but all dealings have been positive) now potentially unemployed, thus the unhappy face. The plan for accessible docks sounds good while on the other hand I'm not certain how safe such a thing would/could be or what it would mean to the non-accessible paddler. Anyone can still use the pkg lot across the river, I assume, so not sure the public loses anything unless we find the new owner is an evildoer of sorts. To that anyone who respects the location and (especially) the down/upstream environs is welcome. I wonder how/if this will effect the ROTC.

I can roll in "combat position". If I'm not in a hurry all I need to do is extend my body (with PFD) and paddle to come to surface where I can hip snap to right the boat. In one pool session I tried rolling without a paddle at all and nearly got it, learning more than anything else rolling is very much about the body. As noted in the rolling discussion elsewhere on the board you can (and probably should) try all sorts of rolls/self rescue methods but when the time comes you are going to fall back on what some call "muscle memory" or perhaps "instinct". I'm pretty sure when the time comes I'm going to go to a sweep roll. Otherwise I would prefer to have the option.

By three seasons do you eschew the winter (my second most favourite season) or the summer (my least favourite season)? As for rolling, I use a GP and depend on an extended paddle roll. This would be more difficult with pogies, including (more) exposed hand and removing said hand from the pogie. I also prefer to have gloved hands "24-7" and don't miss that tactile feel some do with (especially heavy) gloves/liners. Then again, I am not readily given to delicate movements. I have developed methods to paddle in winter but do avoid the most challenging days weatherwise which is more about wind speed and staying warm overall.

If you are looking for the cag that is an integrated spray skirt then I think you will appreciate breathable fabric while paddling. A common problem with the legs while wearing a dry suit is that they don't breath in the cockpit. An integrated spray skirt would encase your whole body but provide the cold air above the cockpit to let the moisture out. If you aren't looking for a cag that is an integrate spray skirt then I'd recommend making one. We have a couple that roll up in a ball about the size of a (compressible) melon and others have made them (easier to make though probably more volume) out of blankets and towels. That is if you want to save your money and maybe someday own more boats than Mike Crouse.

If I miss one I take a deep breath and close my eyes, then capsize, snuggle up to the boat, and remember Chris Thomas saying I should visualize the end of the paddle sweeping. If you focus it leads to good body position as well.

As a Greenland paddler my hands are always wet. Consider also dry gloves (possibly available in pink). You can adjust (and change) the liners. They can detract from dexterity, not as it would effect your paddling but instead perhaps manipulating a snap or strap now and then. The only problems I've had are from evaporative cooling, i.e. paddling into a headwind, and it was a cold day.

The simplest thing would be something that looks like a rooftop rack and it would be free standing (not attached to your fence). You could also move it and use it if you were outfitting/repairing your boat. You probably want a tarp to prevent UV damage to your boat. Upside down won't prevent furry woodland creatures (or those with exoskeletons) from moving in but will prevent water buildup. Because this sort of thing might have a larger footprint than you wish you could instead built something "L-shaped" that attaches to two posts with a "lip" such that you could mount the boat vertically, essentially a "J-style" scheme. Neither of these projects should be as difficult as learning the forward stroke and perhaps you could purchase "J-style" hardware and mount them to the posts. Don't forget the tarp, especially if you have a plastic boat.

My wife first paddled winters in a two-piece pants and dry top at reduced cost. There was a tunnel on each that rolled up so a dry suit would be a bit more comfortable but she went at least one season in trip leader training (not casual use) and had nary a leak. We then got in on a group buy and she more appreciated the integral socks than anything else. This would then open up the debate on footwear, which fortunately was just had.

I can't allow this misrepresentation pass. Pressure from the white house overruled known risks with operating the solid fuel boosters in cold weather. A teacher's life was lost, she was not an astronaut who followed a career and accepted the risks. It was a shameful episode in the history of this nation.

I would concur that you need a secondary means of tie down that accounts for failure of straps, etc. After enough time in the sun your straps are going to fail even if the grips are intact. We also stopped using bow toggles early on, perhaps immediately, and tie through the deck lines. The bow and stern lines aren't for long distance transport, just to get you to the side of the road where you repair your tie downs. If you want real strength from your bow and stern lines you need to wrap the boat in a cradle as mentioned above. If you are worried about drafts you might consider mounting the boat on vertical bars, your car will probably track better that way.

Walked the beach Sunday from the "castle" pkg lot and came back through the dunes. The ocean side beach and trail were substantially different in shape and littered with alot of rubble and vegetation.

Your questions are semantically unclear, i.e. are you measuring speed relative to the moving water or against a stationary reference. Or is this a polish joke?

Tried booties once or twice, for me they suck. I wear water shoes and appropriate socks or plug in the goretex booties. I need one half size bigger for the dry suit so have two pair, one from Speedo, proving you can wear your Speedo on the outside. The ($20 at Costco awhile back) Speedo shoes don't fit nearly as well as Merells, which I generally get for outdoor footwear of all types.

Consider instead the Baja, there's a place F Scott Fitzgerald liked to go, may La Paz. Alas, no L2 or L3 trip info there either.

Not to mention that modern thinking is that most lobsters freely move in and out of "traps".

When I hike in local environs such as the Middlesex Fells I pick up empty beer cans from various popular party sites. I'm pretty sure that teenagers are going to be irresponsible long after my ashes have blown on the wind. A much more disappointing thing is how adults wantonly defile our mother earth. Don't get me started about growing (chemical stew) and mowing (more pollution per annum than your car) green grass. One of these days I'm going to pick up a discarded cigarette butt and toss it back into the car.

Kayaker sends in several years old suit with blown gasket. Kayaker gets brand new suit for free because of delamination. There is much rejoicing.

http://www.npr.org/blogs/krulwich/2012/12/17/167469845/suddenly-theres-a-meadow-in-the-ocean-with-flowers-everywhere

The thing isn't a kayak, doesn't even have a decent seat, or any way to stay attached to attempt to roll it... When I rolled a Pungo (also arguably a kayak) I was able to get enough thigh purchase, though it filled up with water as it flipped over and might've sank to the bottom of Lake Cochituate if not for air trapped in the bow. It was fun to paddle it in what amounted to waist high water. So if you hooked your feet under the front struts and layed back you might be able to flip the thing over, that is if you're still the beast Adam says you are (or were).

They closed Morissey Blvd last week. A possible cause is discussed in this link http://www.businessweek.com/articles/2012-11-01/its-global-warming-stupid