alcoons

test Al Coons Eddyline Nighthawk Red/White

See David Lewis's Pebble Beach Post. ------------ NO LONGER VALID Looking for companions for a solid Level 3 Show and Go on Saturday (7/8). Open for anything... sensible...north or south shore. High Tide is early (about 9:45 AM) on Saturday. I have never launched from Hull/Windmill Point. Conditions sound good for that. We could visit the Harbor Islands and Boston Light. There can be lots of current in Hull Gut so you should be comfortable ferrying. Caveat: I am not a formal leader. While we all are responsible for ourselves, we will work in a group to help each other. Pace will be moderate, distance 10-14...both determined by the group. You should be comfortable in moderate waves and wind. Post ideas here or email. Al Coons Eddyline Nighthawk Red/White

I cannot find the post that suggested we order the Massachusetts Coast Guide to Boston & the North Shore....but whoever it was...thanks so much. My free copy just arrived after I sent a simple email requesting it about a week ago (see http://mass.gov/czm/coastguide/order/order.htm) The spiral bound but quality publication is full of great pictures, useful maps, and details about what is along the water. In its introduction it says: "Massachusetts boasts more than 1,500 miles of coastline.... Of this varied terrain, nearly one-quarter is owned by local, state, or federal govement or regional nonprofit land conservaion organization. In the area covered by this volume...this figure is even higher: almost 40%. As this guide will help you discover, most of this land is open space available for public use and enjoyment." After an introduction about accessibilty and conservation, tt works down the coast from north to south. Each small section has a few great pictures, top rate overview maps clearly showing in different colors national/state/private public-access properties and wharfs/water access/put-ins. It briefy then describes each one, including possible parking and restrictions. While this book is about access and properties along the shore, I learned much from quickly thumbing through this: even about areas I have paddled more than once. Al Al Coons Eddyline Nighthawk Red/White

Ed. Thanks for the information. Your suggestions are good, but given it is a new area for me and the potential for fog/weather is high, I think I will go with a program. Done a lot of solo outdoor trips, but water and unknown territory changes the mix for me. By they way, it is not a beginner's trip. Al Coons Eddyline Nighthawk Red/White

>If Ernie chimes in, he will be lambasted for posting a >commercial ditty on the General Message board. > >Invoice is the price the dealer pays the wholesaler (Ernie >Boch Jr in New England - when he's not welding...) for the >vehicle. If there is a factory rebate in place, they can >sell the car to you for invoice and make the rebate on the >sale. This is not the only way the dealer can hide their >profit. Not sure this is a commercial message...at least mine...It was about a benefit for club members that is specific to our requirement for joining the ACA. In the past, members have questioned the value of this and I was pointing out unexpected value for me. My goal was not to spark a discussion of Subaru's or car buying...I already have the car. Al PS. Ernie and I spoke at length about this last night during a great paddle at Mystic. Al Coons Eddyline Nighthawk Red/White

If you happen to be considering a Subaru, don't forget that your ACA membership puts you on the Subaru VIP program. I just happened to remember that this week and it made the purchase much easier. It was very easy (one call to ACA). The ACA then called Subaru and then Subaru calls a dealer saying that you should get the car at their invoice cost (or something like that). I then emailed 4 other local dealers telling them I was on the program. While I still received different quotes, as best I can tell, I got a very good price. At a minimum, the VIP program starts you at very low starting price rather than MSRP. My guess is that it is similar to the GM employees prices that happened earlier this year. Note: They ask you not to start talking final price with a dealer before seeking this status. Rather, pick a dealer and call ACA first. Al Al Coons Eddyline Nighthawk Red/White

Going to Acadia in a couple of weeks. - Probably camp at Mt Desert Campground or Blackwoods but anyone have suggestions for inexpensive/moderately priced lodging for a night or two. Does not have to be in Bar Harbor. - Anyone know Coastal Kayaking Tours in Bar Harbor? I will be alone and they have a well-priced 3 day trip from Stonington. If you would rather not post a comment online, I am at alcoonsmail at verizon.net Thanks, Al Al Coons Eddyline Nighthawk Red/White

Anyone have any opinions on the information on rolling by Rob Hignell at http://web.singnet.com.sg/~songhao/Rolling/roll.htm ? Other online sources you like better? Thanks, Al Al Coons Eddyline Nighthawk Red/White

Looking forward to Saturday. Can we get a little more information about the "potluck" dinner. Is it more BYO or potluck? Hoping to stay for it but that part is still up in the air. Thanks, Al Al Coons Eddyline Nighthawk Red/White

Looking foward to seeing you at Mystic Tuesday. Al Al Coons Eddyline Nighthawk Red/White

I planning to go at this point. Al Coons Eddyline Nighthawk Red/White

I sure am not a equipment guru, but after reading about radio's here a few years ago I got the M88 and have not had any troubles so far. It certainly has not been as wet as those radios carried by paddlers who spend half of their time rolling and in the surf, but it has served me very well. Al Al Coons Eddyline Nighthawk Red/White

Great job Bethany. We use a simply guideline for the email conferences where I teach: "Write about ideas, not people." As a result, unlike some other schools, we have not had to shut down our discussions due to disrespect for members of the community. So, we do not accept posts that say "Al, that was a really dumb idea." since it says something negative about Al. But accept posts that say, "Al, I strongly disagree with your idea. Here is why." since it about the idea/logic, not the person. Al

I am posting this separately in hopes of catching the eye of beginners. Each of the weekly lake practice sessions are a great place to get use to your boat and learn skills. In another thread, Dave Lewis has posted information about the first Mystic Lake Session this Tuesday. Hope to see you Tuesday. Al Al Coons Eddyline Nighthawk Red/White

Looking forward to it. Will the run-off from the rain possibly cancel the session this week? Al Al Coons Eddyline Nighthawk Red/White

Just stopped by Magazine Beach as promised. (1) The parking lot is posted for 3 hour max and no after dark parking. As I mentioned, I have called the state police in the past and they have said just put a note on your dashboard...that has always worked. (2) Not much progress on the "construction." The wooden walkway/bridge (for what reason???) is complete and leads right to what seems to be a place to put-in on the river bank. However, there have been no improvements on the river bank. In fact, rubber and straw environmental booms still line the shore for 100 yards. As in the past, they should pose no problem. (3) I never noticed it, but there is an old sign to the left of the put-in saying that this area is a run-off area in wet weather...or did it say sewage. Anyway, if I swim right there, I better stay off the ocean! Al Coons Eddyline Nighthawk Red/White

Perhaps all trip leaders might consider posting a "Gmaps - Pedometer" of their route. I just read David Lewis's post about today's trip to the Rowley River and looked at his route (http://www.gmap-pedometer.com/?r=190547). Since I did not know the area, it gave me a valuable sense of where the trip is (I know the general area, but had no sense of where the Rowley River was), what the trip would be like, and how to get (close) the put in. Of course we need all the other information and caveats we expect for a trip, but I found the gmap very valuable. Al Al Coons Eddyline Nighthawk Red/White

Thanks David. What a great resource. It can be so detailed that I even checked distance on running routes, some in conservation land. I also found out how much variation there is in our distance estimations for some of our kayak routes. No wonder I was tired after one trip, it was a lot longer than we estimated. Others were good estimates. What an inexpensive GPS (at least for distance). Certainly a lot easier than a string or dividers on a map! Al Coons Eddyline Nighthawk Red/White

Sounds great. Do you have a reference for the "circuit shuttle" already? Thanks, Al >Kim & I will be paddling the Saguenay this year. I guess we >do a trip North every year, Gaspe', the Magdalene Islands, >now the Saguenay. We'll be doing the "circuit shuttle" >thing, they drop your car off for you and you can do a one >way trip so you don't have to fight the tides/currents. >Dan we missed you last time we were in Montreal, we did a >quick overnight on our way back from Quebec City and I >couldn't find your phone number. Have you ever stayed at the >campsites along the Saguenay? Al Coons Eddyline Nighthawk Red/White

Dan. Thanks for the generous offer. As we get our plans together, I will let you know if we can take you up on it. Of course, the post paddle celebration is on us. Al >On your way up stop by in Montreal, my wife and I will take >you out for a day on the St Lawrence. We have a couple of >spare kayaks so there would be no problem...just let me know >the dates. We will be on Mount Desert Island from the 15 to >the 22 july but we should be back in Montreal for the 23 of >july... > >Dan > >Once more upon the waters! yet once more! > And the waves bound beneath me as a steed > That knows his rider. >Lord Byron Al Coons Eddyline Nighthawk Red/White

NSPN members' posts about past trips to the Saguenay area of Quebec has my wife and I planning to drive up and explore this summer (end of July: 10-12 days). While we hope to do some kayaking (even a 4-6 day trip), it is just as much about exploring, camping, hiking, biking. She is an accomplished athlete, and great in a double, but a class 2+ single paddler (we will have to rent a boat for her). While there is some information on the web, not as much as one would like. So we would appreciate any and all information such as: Camp sites we might use as a base. Kayak centers. Good kayak routes. Hiking routes. Points of interest. Guide books. Anything that those who have been there found interesting. Also, La Mauricie National Park and Mingan Archipelago National Park Reserve (A string of islands carved out by the sea) sound interesting. Anyone been to either? Thanks in advance, Al Coons Eddyline Nighthawk Red/White

Our site says: "Magazine Beach Located off Memorial Drive, just east of the B.U. Bridge – from the east, drive west on Memorial Drive past the B.U. Bridge, then change direction by turning around in a parking lot and turning left onto Memorial drive. Driving east on Memorial drive, stay right (don’t go on the overpass), turn right into the parking lot just before the bridge. Drive to the end of the lot. The small beach is adjacent to the ball field. NOTE: This Charles River put-in is NOT at a boat house or picnic area and is NOT at the MDC swimming pool building. It is next to the baseball field which is only accessible from Memorial Drive eastbound." Unless something has changed, the parking in the this lot was limited to 2 hours. I have called the State Police each time we want to launch from here, and they say just put a note in your car window explaining you are kayaking, and the name of the officer you spoke to. I have no idea if in fact they enforce the 2 hour limit. Anyone have any experience pushing it? I will try to stop by and see what the postings are now. They did renovate the area where we have been putting in at the end of the lot. Al Al Coons Eddyline Nighthawk Red/White

Our site says: "Manchester MA The public landing behind the police station is the preferred put-in for Manchester which provides access to Misery Island and beyond." Last summer this lot was posted for 2 hours maximum in all spots. I spoke to the police and they said it was being enforced and had no suggestions for good alternatives in town (the NSPN suggests some other very limited options. Al Coons Eddyline Nighthawk Red/White

>Al created the sign, I just put it on the server and a few >location. Al did the hard work. Actually, Anne Harper created the wonderful flyer and delivered it to many places. Thanks Anne and Jason. Al

Can someone remind me about the formal NSPN water temperature guidelines for outer layers (Dry Suits, Wet Suits)? I have been very happy with my Hyroskin pants and I think I am correct in saying more and more of us are using this wonderful fabric under appropriate conditions. Anyone have suggestions on where it might fit in with our guidelines? Thanks, Al Al Coons Eddyline Nighthawk Red/White