vanne

Mary, I don't think I paddled with you that often, but I do remember being at Farnhams, when you were leaving for somewhere - probably after paddling at Conomo. Hope to run into you in quiet water where I spend a lot of time if I can. Anne

Thanks for the background information Deb. I don't blame people in Essex for wanting access to their beach, but I'd hope that they wouldn't begrudge us a place to park when there are lots of them available. It's good to know the risks. Anne

I parked at Clammers' beach about two weeks ago on a Friday. There were two signs indicating sticker parking only, but no signs across from the houses. I parked across from the houses and was out for a couple of hours, with no ticket. There were lots of spaces to park. I'm sure it's different on weekends.

I don't know if you have to pay to use the boat launch if you don't live in Ipswich, but it's usually very busy on weekends - not so bad during the week or after the season.

Island Road is now sticker parking only also.

I plan to be there. Anne

I'd like to attend - Thanks for arranging this

That's a great idea! How about during the Schooner Festival (Labor Day weekend). On Sunday morning, gather at Greasy Pole early enough to park. Watch the parade of boats past the boulevard, then follow them out to Dogbar and watch the race for a bit. Fiesta might be another good time, earlier in the summer, but I've done the Schooner trip a few times already and would also be happy to help out if I can. Anne red over white cd slipstream yellow over white heritage nomad

I actually thought the solstice paddle was a pretty good thing from some perspectives, as one who paddled around Plum Island Sound for years without any really sobering experiences and then I started paddling with the legendary Mr. Burnett and company. I have to say it gave me new respect and a lot more skills than I would have if left to my own modest paddling aspirations. I do think it was key that we had many calm and skillful paddlers in the group, who also worked together well, which I would imagine inspired confidence as well as bringing the capsized paddlers back to safety. I think running a second Solstice paddle later in the summer might be a great idea. Everyone would be a bit more skilled by then

Suz, Near Ipswich, there's currently Appleton Farms (Rte1A Ipswich), where you can also pick up Fresh Catch (the Fish CSA from Gloucester) and Green Meadows (Asbury St in Hamilton). I've heard that Connors (Rte 35 in Danvers). Marini's is considering it for next year - you can weigh in on their Facebook page. You may want to ask if the food is local and/or organic, because CSA's are becoming very popular. Ipswich Natural Food and the Coastal Green Grocer carry organic foods. Anne

Ross - I know some people who might be willing to workshops on natural history and/or birding, biodiversity etc. If you're interested, please email me at vanne at aol dot com. Thanks, Anne

It was not a great year for me in terms of quantity of either time on the water or distances traveled, but there were definitely some good experiences. The Solstice paddle was great both seeing for lots of new and old friends, but also for some unexpected, but well managed adventure. I also had a chance to paddle from Foote Brothers downstream from the dam in mid summer. Normally that stretch of river has very little flow in the summer. It has some interesting bridges, a small dam and an area of riffles that were fun. Definitely changed my opinion of river paddling. Finally a late summer day out of Lane's cove, up the Annisquam and across to Wingasheek on one of those lovely late summer days that you just don't want to end. Hoping next year provides more opportunities. Anne

Oh Thanks! I wondered how to do that also. Anne

Rick and Rob, Thanks for having the sessions. I wish I'd been able to make more of them, but glad I got to a few. Anne

Also - best to launch kayaks at Pavillion (Ipswich) at the boat launch end of the beach - Someone on the beach didn't like me coming back in mid-beach (even briefly, althought I had launched correctly). The parking lot is full on weekends now. Anne

Here is a totally improvised solution that worked out much better for me than I thought it would. My back tends to stiffen up after about 1 1/2 hours on the water. On my way to the Solstice paddle, I remembered this and wondered if I could find something to use similar to a the way sitting on the edge of a blanket is easier on your back while sitting in a yoga pose. I stopped at a supermarket to get some stuff for the pot luck and grabbed a 5lb bag of bird food, although rice or something silmilar would also work also. The plastic bag was of a fairly heavy gauge plastic and measured about 8.5" X 13". Although that may be heavier than some would like, it easily positions between the back of the boat and the top of the back of the plastic seat on my Slip Stream and it's easily adjustable. My back was fine all day, including the unexpectedly challenging paddle out of Dolliber's Cove. One word of caution, over this weekend, I absent-mindedly put it on the seat, rather than behind the seat, which raised my center of gravity by a couple of inches but really lowered my stability in the boat.

Hi Lucia, I live in Ipswich and am pretty free right now most times and often paddle the creeks around Plum Island Sound and the mouth of the Ipswich. Send me an email at vanne-at-aol-dot-com(no dashes). Thanks, Anne

Great paddle yesterday. Thanks to everyone for making it another great NSPN trip! Let's hope the rain subsides and we can do it again soon (not that a little water would scare US off). Anne

Brian, I may do this tomorrow and may be bringing 2 friends as well. thanks, Anne

Join paddlers from the Ipswich River Watershed Association Saturday, June20. We'll be paddling in Reading - Mill St. to Pine St. 2009 Source to Sea River Paddles Reserve the 3rd Saturday of each month this summer for a fun river paddle from the source of the Ipswich River to the sea. We plan to explore the natural beauty of this meandering river, and learn about wildlife and plants along the way. May 16: Wilmington (Woburn St. Jenks Bridge to Mill St.) June 20: Reading (Mill St. to Pine Rd.) July 18: Middleton (Pine St. to Peabody St.) August 15: Topsfield/Ipswich September 19: Ipswich Estuary All trips are BYOB (bring your own boat), PFD, water, and snacks. Pre-registration is required. Rain will cancel the trip. Please contact Jess at jdarling@ipswichriver.org or 978-412-8200.

Dan, I'd be interested in joining you also. Will you be launching from the boat ramp end of Pavillion? There are lots of kayaks there therse days. Anne Red over white CD Slipstream

I'll plan on being there. Anne

Al, When I lived in Magnolia many years ago, the northern or eastern most end of the beach (near Fuller Street) was public. There is a small park at Norman's Woe that may belong to the Trustees, so it's relatively public, but you'd have to land on the rocks with the waves and again - this is from many years ago. Anne

Depending on the weather, I'd like to join you. Anne Red over white Slipstream

On an early morning paddle several years ago on a hot humid day when there are lots of those black fleas, a nearby clammer told me to use baby oil to mitigate at least the bites from those bugs - it''s messy but it works pretty well and it keeps then from biting. Now what I'd really like is something that works for greenheads! Anne