gerry s

I plan to be there.

This is a great trip whether especially if it's your first time kayak camping. Also good as a gear shake down for the summer season.

Gerry

Just an early reminder to request holiday time/post to personal/kitchen calendars.

Gary

I hope to be there as well since a skin boat has been on my radar as my next boat project.

Gerry

I'll be there!

Thanks folks, for all the feedback. I ended up getting a block of Minicel foam and formed it to my bottom. I will try it out tomorrow to see if things need tweaking. Also put a little back piece in to support my lower spine. It is curved to allow me to lean back comfortably for rolling. I hope that I will not find it prohibitive in hip rotation due to the product stickiness...so the jury is still out. (should have just kept my Romany!!!) : )

If a sticky bottom becomes an issue try painting the foam with "dip it". That liquid plastic stuff for tool handles ( at Depot etc, I think). Comes in colors and really looks slick on a foam seat.

I agree with Jeff Casey. This is deja vu all over again. As an "old fart" (but not charter member) of NSPN I am very grateful for all I learned from other members (pass it forward).

My second year of paddling, with very limited skills, on an NSPN trip was an education in "what I know now I wish I'd known then" but I probably would not have gone out with them had I known. There was a casual but thorough beach briefing mostly to get everyone focused on the route, expectations, and proper equipment. The was no discussion about level 123 etc. I felt welcomed and accepted as part of the group. On the last mile of our trip the conditions deteriorated and as a newbie I had not checked the weather or sea state. I take responsibility for myself and didn't expect "to be taken care of" but certainly felt comfort in the fact that there were more experienced paddlers with me. The head winds kicked up to probably 20-25 but for me seemed like a 100 mph with the rain horizontal and hurting if you looked up and what seemed like 3-5 wind chop. I paddled in survival mode for that mile but will never forget the encouraging words from fellow paddlers as we slowly made headway back to our put-in.

My point is that back then there didn't appear to be much emphasis on paddling level, liability, experience, etc. but just on paddling and having fun and meeting people. This is the "feeling" now exhibited with the Meet-Up Group and with SMSKN but not so much with NSPN. With both groups there are all level of paddlers on all trips.

I am forever grateful for the training and experience I gained through NSPN. I think NSPN does a superb job of offering workshops, promoting safe paddling, skills sessions, etc. Perhaps this is also it nemesis or apparent high level experience perception.

Maybe change is not needed. There are many clubs and Meet-Up type groups that offer paddling opportunities for all levels. Perhaps the training, workshops, skill sessions, etc that NSPN offers are what the club is all about. Nothing wrong with that.

Life's to short.....let's just paddle!

I'm there fer sher! Wouldn't miss it.

I'm left handed but for many things I appear to be right handed. I learned not to think of which side is the right side. This has its advantages and also drawbacks. The drawbacks turn into nice surprises sometimes. The 'off side' roll last Saturday was one of them.

I'm with you. I was born left handed but growing up in a right handed world I learned (or adapted to ) doing things and using tools that just felt comfortable to me. I don't think righties have the same experience. Hence I'm told that I bat right, golf left, throw left , write left or right, roll mostly on my right, play tennis left (but much stronger backhand), think with the right hemi, ....you get the picture. My wife, the psychotherapist, says this explains a lot..what ever that means? Is that a left or right handed compliment.....or is it an insult?

When's the open house party?

We joined NSPN last summer, met some great people and went on a couple of fine trips. We then entirely disappeared. It was not personal! Here is the recipe:

1. Buy a house

2. Decide to remodel "a little"

3. Decide to be your own general contractor

4. Let scope creep get entirely out of control to a complete strip out / rebuild.

Thus ended life as we knew it, kayaking exchanged for 200 decisions a day, tracking down AWOL contractors and getting on first name terms in every home improvement store in the region.

We are now thoroughly unfit (stress is NOT slimming.....) and have not paddled for months but we are back and determined to get rolling again - in more ways than one.

Pictures here for the bored.

As part of our return I will post an interesting pool session with Cheri Perry and Turner Wilson in the events page.

We are looking forward to getting back in the water and reacquainted.

All the best

Graham & Janaki

Graham

Great to hear you're finally moving...and that you're still around. Haven't heard from y'all this year. I see someone has a great looking new studio down by the water...or is that a boat shed?

Gerry

Hey folks how about we all compose an "NSPN Fight Song". You know like the ones you hear at Saturday college football games on TV? Just imagine a flotilla of NSPNer's paddling in the fog.... "Hoora! hoora! Onward women and men, make way for us we're NSPN, ooooooh yah " Or something like that...

Ross

If you heard my singing you'd all want to try a roll and not bother to come back up. Much quieter on the other side.

Here are details for Casco Bay II trip.

Date: Sat. August 8th.

Launch time: 10:00 with a return of around 16:00

Level 3 Trip. Given current marine forecast, conditions are anticipated to be mild, and I'm not looking for an adventure. However, forecasts change, fog happens, we may end up over a mile from shore/landing spot, part of the time we may be exposed to open ocean swell, and a strong southerly wind blows right up the fingers.

The launch site is the beach next to H2O Outfitters at the sourthen tip of Orr's Island. There is a $5 launch/park fee which must be paid at the Salt Cod Cafe next to H2O. BTW, you can pick up a sandwich, etc. at the cafe for lunch. They are rebuilding the Cribstone bridge next to beach, but access is OK. Just pull in and park near the cafe and ask where to park when you pay.

To get there take 295 going north from Portland, get off the Route 1 exit at Brunswick, go through Brunswick on Rte 1, and after going a few miles beyond Brunswick on Rte. 1 you will see an exit for Cundy's Harbor, Orr's Island, and the Brunswick NAS on Route 24. Take that exit and go straight through the lights to stay on 24 and simply follow 24 to the end of Orr's Island. H2O/Salt Cod Cafe are on the right just before all the construction on the bridge.

Proposed route assuming conditions are nice is to go out through Wills Gut between Bailey and Orr's islands, then out to some ledges and islands on the way to Yarmouth Island, into Quahog Bay to stop for lunch on Little Snow, then wander back visiting coves, etc. There are nesting eagles and osprey in the bay and we may see them along with other critters. Little Snow is very popular and bay popular for cruising folks so its not wilderness. Expect a total of around 12NM of varied paddling with intent to have an enjoyable time exploring another part of Casco Bay. Wandering into coves could add a couple of miles. Subject to weather and changes due to makeup of group.

If you intend to come, please let me know here or directly so I have an idea of how many, etc. Technically, this is a SMSKN trip since I posted it there too. Basically same as a NSPN CAM trip, but there is a waiver to sign. If you want to see SMSKN's trip participation terms they are here. http://www.smskn.org/TripRecommendations.pdf

Ed Lawson

Hey Ed

I'll be there and may have another with me. Thanks for putting this together.

See you Sat.

Late Sept and Oct are great camping months in area so maybe something then. For a day trip, tides look good August 29 and almost as good August 1 for a trip out to Eagle and/or Jewell and back from the southern tip of Orr's by the cribstone bridge. Aug. 8/9 for a trip into Quahog Bay from same location. Just ruminating for now and checking interest level.

Ed Lawson

Hey Ed

I could be up for something on the 8th and/or 9th

Gerry

Gerry does the weekend of Aug 1st and 2nd work for you? If so you could be the 4th on the trip.

Thanks -Jason

Jason

I just realized I have a conflict that weekend and won't be able to go after all. Sorry!

Gerry

Gerry does the weekend of Aug 1st and 2nd work for you? If so you could be the 4th on the trip.

Thanks -Jason

Jason

My error on not reading the title.

Yes..I'm in if I'm not to late.

Gerry

I suppose there is a difference between experience and skill. These two didn't have even the skill to hold on to their boats while in the water?!

Unfortunate choice of words by the friend. "They were foolish, naive kayakers" would have been more appropriate. They lacked the experience and skill to know what to do when one goes for a swim but doesn't know how to swim!@#$ An experienced kayaker paddles with the knowledge that someday he/she will be swimming and has the skill to do something about it. Just my 2 cents.

I thought Rob summarized it pretty well here ...

What Day?

Jason

Maybe I'm missing something here (which my wife would say is normal) but when is this scheduled. I'm very interested and would like sign up.

Gerry

Hey Rob

How about a brief summary of this trip. I haven't followed the thread but scanning it is confusing and I might be able to join y'all but I have some time constraints. Love paddling this area and those that haven't won't regret it. Also the brief (non)work stop at the MITA Islands is well worth the trip.

Gerry

Jeff

A group of us have been camping at Warren on the 4 of July weekend for a few years in a row. It's actually a nice time to be there. Not a lot of people and the fireworks are just across the channel from Islesboro. Anyway, we usually ferry the cars across to Islesboro (free street parking along the road) and then cross the 1/4 mile to Warren from there. Since the conditions will be unknown 3-5 days after camping we find it a safer option to paddle to Islesboro rather than the open crossing to Lincolnville Beach. Provisions can be found on Islesboro since it is a large and populated island but it is best to stock up on the main land. There is a fried food / ice cream shack at the ferry terminal but a car (or bike) would be needed to find other provisions. Nearest ice is on the way to the airport so you need transportation for that. Alcohol on Warrens is prohibited but leave no trace and use discretion and you won't have a problem. Plus the water is just the right temp for chilling a good brew or white wine.

Try to work with the tides cuz its a rocky, slippery slog to get the boats ashore at Warrens; not impossible just easier at higher tides.

Good Luck

Hi Graham

Bumma about the seals. FWIW I've had my drysuit about 7 years and used nothing but 303 on the seals. Granted, I did rinse the suit almost every time it saw salt water and 303'd the seals afterwards. I'm probably tempting fate if I don't change them this off-season but they still appear to be in good shape. So maybe 303 is the ticket, or I've been very lucky, or the latex gods are just shining on me. Good luck with the repair.

Gerry

I'm in! See ya'll in the am

Much better post Kevin. Very succinct and no room for blah,blah,blah. Will try to join you but I can't commit until tomorrow.

Gerry

See ya there

Gerry