chetpk

Van Morrison has always been a favorite of mine. Put on his "Into the Mystic", hit "Slideshow" on this link and you will have my trip report. https://picasaweb.google.com/111328304688886244913/SqaumLakeInTheRainOct1st2011

I'm in

Some days you paddle because you relish "The Conditions". Other days you paddle because you also relish "The Conditions" may they be a different ones. Yesterday it was hard to miss the conditions of color that Doug captured so well on camera as a Blue day it was with great cloud layers at different elevations having their float plan. The Sea was relaxing making it easy to take it all in and socialize as we circumnavigated it all.

I'll be there

It really was an impressive day with many parts to it. Biggest waves I have ever attempted to surf, my first roll in big stuff, the only ride I took all the way in with a bongo ride as Doug spoke was followed by a bail out so I didn't become a fiberglass snow plow to the throngs in the shallows followed by three attempts before I was successful at punching my way out past the breaking surf zone from the beach. Yes it was some testosterone paddling, but in no way would I put it at a higher or more important level then the chilling out and just taking in the ocean itself as Doug and I did on our slow-mo paddle back to Rye Harbor. Listening to the thousands of rounded polished stones doing their percussion work with each wave truly was music to the ears. ~Scott Sorry, couldn't get pictures to take. Too big apparently.

My West Marine radio now only receives, but doesn't transmit anymore so I guess I will need to replace it. Any suggestions for a decent radio on the less expensive side and where I might go looking (web sites etc.)? Thanks ~ Scott

When I sit on a slippery floor keeping the hips loose so they can slip a little forward or backwards then do an imaginary paddle stroke, it just feels to me like it is the hip side and leg side that is opposite of the side I'm doing my imaginary paddle stroke on that naturally seems to want to slide a tad bit in front of the other leg-hip side. If this truly is the case then shouldn't that leg that is opposite of the paddle stroke side be the leg to deliver the most power to the foot pegs-boat? If this cause and effect holds any water (excuse the pun) then it would require the hips to be loose and allowed ever so slightly to be able to slide a bit back and forwards from the hips doing a mini rotation like the shoulders do, but in an opposite direction. I think what makes this stroke difficult is it ever so slightly seems to work best when one can make their shoulders rotate clockwise (counter clockwise) while the hips rotate counter clockwise (clockwise). I haven't come close to imprint this to muscle memory, but is just feels like more power and efficiency over the short stretches I can get it locked in.

No fair, I had to swim or should I say swims. https://picasaweb.google.com/111328304688886244913/HamptonPostIreneSurfing83011#

Jeff Miller and I met up at 5pm and surfed till past sunset waves that were most likely being generated by the most outer effects of Irene. It wasn't their size, but their regularity and how often they came in as sets. These sets were really close and tight to each other and they could be a tad unpredictable but offered us a ton of rides and a few swims. It was also another beautiful evening with great glowing red sunset sky, but camera bettery had unfortunately died. A bit sore and tired today ~Scott Pics - https://picasaweb.google.com/111328304688886244913/SurfingHamptonIrene82611#

I will be there at 5pm. ~Scott

I might be able to swing it. Know better on Friday.

I have a hard time holding the focus to paddle stroking on one side and pushing on the other, but I truly feel the boat becoming more efficient. I'm speculating the break down is my think tank has problems at being efficient to make the best out of this experimenting around. "Can't teach an old dog new tricks" as one of my favorite old maiden aunts use to tell me.

I have always found it to be natural or easier to use the foot that is on the same side of the boat that the paddle stroke is taking place on to be the foot that gives pressure to the foot peg during the stroke. Lately I have been trying to use the foot that is on the opposite side that the stroke is taking place on to be the foot to apply pressure to the foot peg during the stroke. Even though it has been harder to get the body to do this, I sense a little more of the power from the stroke showing up in how the boat moves forward. No I have never done timed events over a prescribed distance or some other known way to measure this, but wondered if others have fooled around with this or have a prescribed way that they apply their foot pressure to the pegs during the stroke phase?

Five of us paddled into some wonderful waves, temperatures and evening off of Hampton. First looked like it was going to be mello glass like conditions then slowly and steadily great little swells started to come in. Not so big that the intimidation factor would start to soar or to small that you weren't able to really work on skill sets. Often this sport is discussed in terms of BCU or paddle strokes, boat owned, size of waves, lumpiness, distance covered, speed etc., but last night it was so evident that it is also about living between two layers of color, being with good people, wet, dry, slow, fast, motion, constant directional changes and experiencing time as day slips into night. A chance to live large on a small charge. ~Scott https://picasaweb.google.com/111328304688886244913/KayakSurfingOffOfHampton82311#

One of my old climbing buddies and his wife bought a semi retirement home in the Carrabbassett Valley section of Maine to be their permanent home when they retire from the college in Michigan where they are now half time. Jon had expressed an interest in kayaking and asked if I could possibly find some used kayaks here in the east for them. Two beauties showed up (a One Ocean wooden Cirrus immaculately built and a Tempest 165 Pro) right here within miles of my home so I picked them both up and headed up to their house in Maine. I got in three days of paddling on Flagstaff Lake which is Maine's 4th largest lake and about 25 miles in length. Its' southern shoreline is fronted by the Bigelow Range (several 4000 footers) that rise over 3000 feet from the lake's edge. Definitely a spectacular back drop. The lake is extremely shallow so wind waves and white caps aren't unusual with the winds running pretty consistently form the west to the east. The entire lake is basically free of homes, camps and development giving a true wilderness experience. I paddled 15 miles on Friday and saw two boats and one canoe in the distance the entire time I was on the water. There are also free first come, first served campsites along its' shore lines and I'm sure if one was judicious in where they wanted to camp, it wouldn't raise any red flags. Spring to late summer is the time to paddle there, but starting about now they steadily lower the lake to about it's original river bed then allow it to fill back up after the winter. Yes it is a drive to get there ( Go to Sugarloaf Ski area and keep heading north to Stratton-Eustis), but if you like the wilderness experience with a spectacular backdrop, it is well worth the drive. ~Scott Photos from Flagstaff Lake - https://picasaweb.google.com/111328304688886244913/KayakingOnFlagstaffLakeMaine

Well ....... I tested out the MicroWave idea and I got a blob of melted plastic. I did leave it in for too long and I'm sure at a too high of a setting as well, so it might work in a more highly structured control setting, but I am no longer the one to confer with on this one.

Would putting the bladder and tube in a microwave kill things off and help drive moisture out? No I have not tried it. I've been hanging mine on a clothes line up side down letting water drain and sunlight get at it and so far so good.

More pictures. https://picasaweb.google.com/427varney/CapeNeddickOgunquitPaddle72311 This was one of the better days I have had on water. ~Scott

I agree with Barry, Terrific Pictures. The storm skies I particularly liked. Obviously a fine trip had by all. ~Scott

Here are some more pictures of the 7/19/11 surf session at Hampton. My camera is a little lacking in refinement so apologize for the fuzzy shots. https://picasaweb.google.com/427varney/SurfingHampton71911 ~Scott

Kudos to all. So many kids out there now miss the entire outdoor experience for a variety of reasons and I can't say enough positives about those who get kids outdoors.

More Pics of the 7/16/11 Gerrish Island Paddle. My favorite is Sal leading the masses on Wood Island with his Fire and Brimstone service. Someday I will have to find a camera that can shoot with better clarity. After I rob my next bank :>) ~Scott https://picasaweb.google.com/427varney/GerrishIslandPaddle71611

Not a problem.

I love shot three with the Cormorant coming screaming in on the far right of the photo's edge.

More pictures from the Odiorne Point 7/9/11 paddle https://picasaweb.google.com/427varney/NSPNOdioneToRyeBack7911?authkey=Gv1sRgCMzX4uzysJDOfw