djlewis

Jeff Casey said:

>i'd love to be rescue bait for this...

Hey, I think the idea this time is for the students to be the bait and you old-timers the fisherfolk!

I'll be there... in my swim trunks and T-shirt. ;-)))

--David.

Here's the most intelligent article I've seen yet, not only on what actually and, given the uncertainty, probably happened, but also what it means for kayakers and sea-farers in general.

The lesson I draw -- other than general fog cautions and tactics -- is never to go out without a compass and a knowledge of which direction shore or other form of safety lies. In fact, one might do well to put a small compass in ones pfd, just in case.

--David.

http://www.capecodonline.com/cctimes/fishermensay15.htm

>Maine Harbors predicted a slack for East Chop at 3:03 pm.

>But when we arrived around 2:30 pm the current had already turned

>against us, consistent with the Eldridge prediction.

Interesting. On Saturday, MapTech prdicted 2:45 PM slack in the Waquoit to Nantucket Sound channel, which is more or less opposite East Chop. We got there at precisely 2:45, and the flood current was running at around 1.5-2 kts, befitting an hour or more after slack.

Could it have been a kind of surge effect from Isabel that raised tides and sped up flood currents -- does this kind of thing happen? Or is it just the imponderable nature of tidal currents in general?

--David

Nine souls paddled out from Pavilion Beach at 10:15 AM in search of predicted 3-5 foot swells, surf and adventure in Ipswich Bay. We ferried the incoming current to the tip of Plum Island, with many tantalizing surf lines visible out in the bay.

Adventure proved elusive at first, however. As we chased each break, it seemed to recede or disappear, sometimes providing a small ride in as many as three directions at once, but more often leaving us scratching our heads swearing it was right here five minutes ago. Well anyway, we were out paddling on an increasingly beautiful day, and that's what counted. It was great just to be bouncing around.

Finally, noting that the distant break lines off of Plum Island seemed more enduring, we headed up the coast. Once again the breaks seems to recede north as we chased them, but finally we caught up with some decent, though limited surf... and rocks too. Gingerly working around the rocks, several of us got good bongo rides onto the beach, while others cruised back and forth practicing braces or just enjoying the conditions. What is it about a kayak that makes it fun to get several tons of roiling salt water smack in the face?

We landed on the allowed southernmost beach of Plum Island, with Al getting the best ride so far. After lunch we enjoyed some familiar fresh pineapple and Suzanne's yummy coffee cake. Lucky she didn't instead make that chocolate cake with gooey icing, since the pan spent time upside down!

As we looked out on the beach, we noted to our delight that some nice, spilling surf had formed while we dined, and there was plenty of it away from the rocks. OK, let's go! For another hour we surfed, took more facefuls of soup, braced, launched in surf, combat rolled and bounced around a lot more.

Though it was only 3:00, three of us had to go. So the other six decided on a quiet end to an exciting day with a paddle up Plum Island Sound to the yacht club, against the ebb, and then turned around to fly with the current back to Pavilion. As we packed up, Jim Fessenden pulled onto the beach, slightly weary from a solo circumnav of Plum Island. It seems there are many ways to have a good time in a kayak on a gorgeous September day.

Only three of us stuck it out for a PPPO in Ipswich, but it was a beaut. First we stumbled into the posh dining room for Zabaglione's Italian Restaurant, eyeing the elegant linen, table settings and wine bar, while they warily noted our t-shirts and shorts smelling of surf and sandals dripping sand. Ummm, we are closed right now, and besides we are full up with reservations. But not to worry -- try our cafe around the corner; same kitchen.

Perfect. There ensued three orders and three home runs, followed by three forks with a voluptuous four-layer chocolate mousse cake with a strawberry and whipped cream on top. Unfortunately no cameras were present. As Peter plied the giggling waitress with compliments, we decided this is forevermore ~the~ place for PPPO in Ipswich. Christopher, why didn't you tell us?! Say, is there a spot for information like this on the NSPN web site?

Six energetic NSPNers (Richard Najarian, Shane "curious shark" Smith, Mike Ravicz, Marc Schlosser, David Lewis, Cathy Foley) plus two in-spirit NSPNers (Deb Dempesey, who had a last-minute personal crisis; Marjorie Woodwell, who was on long-scheduled vacation) plus two friends of Mike (Ann and Donna), plus two Tufts Sailors showed up on a chilly Saturday morning May 3 to render the foul banks of the Mystic fair once more.

After downing some dounts (donated by Dunkin Donuts) and liquids, we fanned out to some of the foulest spots on the shoreline to collect bottles, cups, diapers, and assorted other trash dating back to the Dukakis administration. As the bags by the roadside began to bulge, the eyes of our friendly MDC guides bulged too, and by the time we were done we were all offered permanent jobs cleaning the urban waterways of Boston! Apparently we had gathered far more trash than a group twice our size working down at Alewife! Some credit undoubtedly goes to the density of trash in our chosen area, but apparently kayaking fits one well for collecting junk.

We politely declined the job offers, though some of us need one, but promised to do it again on a regular basis, since our group, efficient though it was, was not large enough to cover the goal of the whole eastern shoreline of Upper Mystic Lake. The MDC folks collected the pokers, rakes and unused bags and rode off with a truckload of our foul fruit.

Afterwards, six of us in various configurations and boats (including a tandem canoe) paddled down the River to the 7th Annual Mystic Watershed Herring Run Festival, where most of the runners wore sneakers rather than fins. We then returned and rode off ourselves, happy in our public service.

Check out the pictures (not edited or culled much) at http://www.triadic.com/Mystic2003/pictures.htm .

--David.