glad

John - I tried your number a few times. Weather looks fine but no other takers besides you. I would love to twist your arm to go. I have a painfully slow connection down here so the site isn't a good communication method. email ok at drkglad@gmail.com. But best to please call 781 254 7744 or 508 255 1546. Karen

So far weather looking good for paddle down the southway on saturday. Will plan to meet at 1030am on the neck of Morris Island Rd and take off at 1100. Please post your interest here and please look at the site on friday afternoon in case weather dictates a change in day or location. Please leave phone numbers if possible. My cell 781 254 7744. Karen

I'd plan to launch from Morris Island Neck. Maybe meet around 1030am. As the weather becomes more clear we'll decide whether to go on friday [more serene] or saturday [way more busy with boats]. You may be fine in a wet suit.

Thanks everybody. Those guys that swim without wet suits this time of year are made of different protoplasm than me. Below 65 degreees I lose sensation in my pinkies, so I figure it's not yet time to go in or in October, it's time to get out.

Someone had a little white board near the boat ramp and down near the lagoon announcing the current water temperature. Have you seen that this year?

I am anxious to paddle down the Southway [correct me if I am wrong-but I am thinking this is the body of water between South Beach and the Monomoys] and check out the bridge from South Beach to South Monomoy. Anyone know how the area has changed over the winter? Depending on conditions; I'd like to plan the Monomoy excursion for friday or possibly saturday. This would include a very leisurely lunch and time for some birding and/or fishing. I'm also interested in a trip out to Great Island/Billingsgate sometime during that weekend-perhaps monday would work for Great Island- let everybody else get stuck in the traffic while we are out on the water! Please state your interest here. The water will still be cold so proper gear/skills necessary. Karen

I am starting an open water, coached swim course in 10 days and am wondering if I will be able to stay in the water with my wetsuit. Thanks! Karen

QUOTE(Kevin B @ May 10 2008, 09:14 AM) <{POST_SNAPBACK}>Karen, A couple of spots available. See you there! excellent! thanks!

QUOTE(Kevin B @ May 5 2008, 07:31 PM) <{POST_SNAPBACK}>There is still space available and several people are coming without boats from the beginner's workshop. We could use some spotters and gear, so if you can help, please let me know! I am definitely interested. I will contact Brian Wells to confirm or please confirm here.

Thank you Kevin for all you did to organize the Wilderness First Aid course. Miraculously, I lived through the early morning start time thanks to a battering from Leslie. I learned a lot, and think I'll even remember some of it. Also, the instructors were great and I enjoyed the experiencial format. Karen

I used my teeny weeny zipper thermometer [it's turned out to be amazingly accurate] to check the top 6 inches at Mystic last night. The water temp was about 54 but of course a little cooler farther down.

I can't use my pool session slot this evening Sat 4/19. So it's up for grabs. Please be aware that if you are not a member, you'll probably have to pay a nominal $5-6 for the accident insurance waiver. Whoever claims it first can have my free slot. You might want to post here to avoid multiple claimers for the slot. Wish I could go, so have a great time!!!! Karen

Bob and I will be meeting at 1200 and launching at 1230 from Tuck's Point. Please drop boats and gear near path to water and park in the far corner of the field [we'll help you with these logistics]. Water is 47 degreees by the Boston buoy. Current forecast is for 10-15 from the East with possible gusts to 20. So we'll be paddling into the wind on the way out and have it at our backs on the return. Dress for immersion [this likely means a dry suit] and bring neoprene hoods/hats. Please post your interest here.

I just bought a pair of : Nikon ProStaff ATB 10x25 binoculars. This is an unsolicited plug because they: have excellent optics [in my humble opinion, since I deal with optics all the time] are made with "ecoglass"; no lead or arsenic are waterproof, fog proof, and rubber coated for better shock resistence come in 8, 10, or 12 X Magnification have a 25 year warranty are really light-about 12 oz can accomodate a small PD (distance between pupils..good for kids and small faces) and they were about $110 on Amazon

I am interested in the course and can make the dates. Could you please mail info to drkglad@gmail.com

Any more pool sessions closer to Arlington than Portsmouth? Thanks, Karen

Ernie - could you please write to me at drkglad@gmail.com? I have some subaru outback impreza questions for you. Thanks! Karen

Thanks, Cathy. I was thinking that the 'upgrade' from the Optio WP to the W30 made sense too. Is the size pretty much the same? I understand it 'ssuppose to be more waterproof as well. Has that been your experience?

Depending on the dates, I'd be really interested in the H2O version if I can get the dates to work.

After paddling and birding in the Si'an Kaan Reserve in Tulum Mexico [trip report to follow] my rental car trunk was broken into. Among other things, my waterproof binoculars and WP Optio Pentax camera were taken. Also, taken was my only warm shell which made for a chilly trip back from the airport. Overall the Pentax Optio WP was great, but ate up a lot of juice cause there was no view finder just the screen. I had been basically happy with the camera but since there is now an opportunity to replace it, could you please give me your suggestions?

Baja is a fabulous place to go. The water is not as warm as the Caribbean but plenty warm to practice in and snorkle. The desert environment is spectacular cause most of the geological forms are exposed. There is a lot of stratified layers at odd angles due to uplift I've been out of Loreto and La Paz. In La Paz, I used Baja Expeditions and can't remember the Loreto outfitter. It is really best to go with a guide. There are some very strong winds; El Norte that will surely ground you with high seas and impossible wind speeds it you run into it. There are whales and seals, sometimes fantastic flowers and more birds than you'd imagine in such an austere environment. Living adventure is in the Mexican Riviera. They have lots of really nice boats; romany's and the like. There's is a great location. You fly into Cancun and they are located about 2-3 hours south. See the Yucatan trip description on Wild Turkey Paddlers. trip reports. I haven't gone with these guys but might plan to in the future. Belize- has one of the worlds longest Barrier reefs so it's pretty protected, fabulous snorkeling and a constant prevailing wind where you can rig a sail on a double. Many of the islands are mangrove. I used Island Expeditions and was pretty impressed with their organization and respect for the environment. The trip had a kayak guide, a Belizian guide who grew up fishing in those waters and a naturalist. Consider the Exumas- heard they are fantastic and they are on my list. Don't know a good outfitter but Leslie Beale might. Also, consider St. John staying at Maho Bay Campground...an awesome place. YOu stay in 'tents' on platforms. Leslie Beale, Deb Dempsey and I went a few years ago and rented boats[and they were BIG, clunky things, but...] You can do day trips to some wonderful islands from there .But you must stay in the US Virgin Islands unless you want to deal with customs if you decide to navigate to the BVI's [british Virgin Islands} which are not far off. And there are some really fun islands in the area.

Sounds fantastic - I'd love to take it. OR perhaps you'd like to try it out an abbreviated version on us NSPN'ers!!!!

I just got a nice short sleeved dry[ish] top from peak UK,;the combi jacket [ great deal on sierra trading post]. It has latex seals on the arms but a neoprene neck. The neck synches down for a pretty and comfortable tight fit [if I could just get the thing over all that hair without going into the loonie bin] but because of the wrinkles in the neoprene I'm concerned about water tightness. I plan to use the jacket in the colder Maine waters primarily in the two warmest seasons and plan to do some rolling practice in it. Do you think having the neoprene collar is a bad choice? Thanks for your opinion. Karen

Hey Adam - that was really, reall cool! It is a little scary when you look at the vectors from the southwest side of the tip that direct you straight out as opposed to around in an outgoing tide.

QUOTE(B @ Nov 24 2007, 06:58 PM) <{POST_SNAPBACK}>Another one of my students is spending the upcoming week at MIT and would like to paddle with the fabled crew from NSPN. Alex has just completed his first full season of paddling after losing last year to a blown shoulder. He absolutely kicked ass this year. He has spent time with me in heavy westcoast surf and did great. I really wish you all would take him out next Saturday. He has a drysuit with him but needs a boat, paddle, PFD, etc. He is still learnng, but I'm sure he' deal with anything you want to do Please call me if you can take him out and can gat him equipped. 2063210011 BBi Hey Bob - it looks like I might be making out to Seattle in mid-late june of 2008 for a conference and... hopefully a paddle. Let's talk some more about some kayak camping possibilities;3-7 days. I don't know how tall your friend is but he's welcome to borrow my Romany 16 and a graphite camano paddle. Karen Gladstone drkglad@yahoo.com