M Williams

Thanks so much David! We will watch for that nasty vine.

Thanks Walter! Your local knowledge is so helpful! All our best.

Hi David, (and others that might know) Mike Crouse and I plan on taking our new kayaking group here at school on the paddle you developed up the Rowley River this Sunday. We would like to launch from the protected launch up by Eagle Hill rather than Pavillion Beach to avoid the current. We have a van and kayak trailer for the boats. Do you know if we can park legally along the road by that launch? Scott or Liz or anyone else - do you know what's legal there? Thank you for the help!

Hi David, I might be able to repeat this trip in September if my weekend work responsibilities lighten up. Unfortunately, the winds typically are higher during the fall making it more difficult to run a level two trip during that season. If not this fall, I will probably do the trip again next summer.

Thank you Bob for taking the time to post this great report. I was struggling to find the time to do one myself. It was a great pleasure to paddle with all of the group. North Casco Bay certainly was a treat last weekend.

I have done the upper half of this trip. Reaching Allagash Lake involves launching in a small pond (I beleive the pond's name is Johnson pond) then following a small stream (about as wide as a kayak and filled with turns) down to the river. You are ejected onto the river just above a beaver dam (as of two years ago) then you head down stream over another dam or two to the lake. I suggest a plastic boat/ or one you don't mind scratching a bit for the trip. (Note: if you return this way as I did getting up river is more of a challenge and involves lining your boat back up the stream)At this time of year the water will be high (check the levels on line) and the stream will be full. Later in the summer, you will have far trouble with insects, but watch the water level. It can become hard to get down the stream when the levels are low. I liked the Ice cave camp site on the inlet end of the lake. You cross the lake then down the Allagash to Chamberlain. I'm told the river has a white water/portage section. Both lakes can build a steap chop in the wind (one day I was there Chamberlain reached 6 footers). Allagash Lake is a special place because no motors are allowed. Only the paddlers go there. The AMC Maine flat water book is a good guide but don't go by their road directions. The conditions of the roads change each year. A new Maine Gazetteer is the best bet, if you don't end up using the local shuttle. Feel free to contact me directly if I can be of further help.

Liz, I think I am a "no" given the weather here in Andover and the back roads to Ipswich - sorry. Christopher, this also means I will not be there to help with the pool session either. I believe you probably had enough spotters anyway before I offered. Hope everything goes well for you all!

There is also a book called "Fit to Paddle" (I think that's the right title) which is good on this topic as well. As an older - read loss of flexibility etc. - paddler, I find many of the exercises and stretches helpful. Sea Kayaker lists it in the book section, and it is available from other sources as well.

Hi Christopher, Depending on the date, I might be able to sign-up as well. Thanks for thinking about this!

I hope to be there as well.

Hi Kevin, A number of us have gone through this process. I found many helpful builders out there willing to share advice and their experiences. Feel free to email me at michaelewilliams@verizon.net and I will send on some site references and/or my phone number for those times when a quick call might be helpful.

Last year I went through this same process. I asked Ravenspring if they would produce a goretex type sock rather than the latex given the durability of the fabric sock. After some research and a trial, they agreed. Many club members have the latex socks, and from what I've heard they do fine, but the fabric sock will certainly last longer in normal conditions with sand etc around when you are changing. I elected at the end of my review to go with Kokatat given the quality of their fabric and found a suit on sale. The cost of the Ravenspring has been climbing over the last couple years as a result of the currency exchange rate.

I am also exactly where Bethany is on this. Her eloquent description of her goals and paddling abilities match my situation closely. I have more flexibility to get away from school during the summer than the winter months. Mike Crouse's and my kayak program at school makes the fall impossible. I am open to many areas. Perhaps we should do something fairly simple - like a longer section of the Maine Island Trail. The costs would be lower and we could train/guide to a great degree with club members. On the subject of kayak trailers, Mike and I designed a secure twelve boat trailer with a large storage compartment for our program. The school might consider renting this to NSPN if the trip was not during the fall. It needs a larger, powerful vehicle to pull it. I would be happy to explore this (no promises on the outcome) with the school officials if it ends up being helpful for this trip.

Bethany, Happy to share launch details. The general directions are in the AMC Maine flat water book for Third Lake. I can show you the detour I made to that route to avoid the beavers. I can also give you an update on camp sites. The folks in the area have added some. Feel free to e-mail at michaelewilliams@verizon.net for details and/or my home phone number.

Long shaft, high cadence, special alloy constructed of heat, oil and steel fueled by wind, fog and flies (as they Newfie's call them)