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Kate: As usual I was not making myself clear. I don't eat a large, heavy lunch. Instead I tend to snack on dense food several times over the paddling day and perhaps a little more during a lunch break. Such stuff as almond butter or hummus and bread/crackers, nuts, maybe cheese or a meat product. Just a little a few times. They help provide long term energy levels/nutrition needs while Stinger waffles and Cliff Shot Bloks every hour or so keeps the energy level up. Of course if you are only doing 10 miles plus or minus a few then you are done by noon anyway. I think you are likely doing something similar as you mentioned crackers and cheese for lunch. I really want to know more about how you make the steamed dumplings. Ed Lawson

After considerable research (unfortunately some on my research notes are not legible) I have found the perfect backband. It eliminates any back pain caused by a long day's paddle. Very easy to install and the price is reasonable. Ed Lawson

Gary: I'm sure your question is based upon the realization that the bane of those who go solo is easy to prepare small portion sized packaged food. While Kate is no doubt the authority among NSPN kayak campers and she has given you great ideas (Pinkpaddler's ramen suggestion is spot on too), since I don't live anywhere near a TJ or Whole Foods store ( you too I believe) so I must wander about a Shaws or Hannaford's and the local health food store in search of things to take.. In doing so I have found smaller packages of ramen, small packets of tuna or salmon, but most of the foil stuff is too big unless you really want to pig out. OTOH it is easy to package up small portions of couscous or orzo and a variety of root veggies. I suspect most of us are accustomed to big evening meals, but while on trips it might be better to consume most of the day's dietary needs during the day and leave the breakfast and evening meals as small, light and simple meals. Eating nutritionally dense foods during the day is easy and requires no cooking and maintains energy levels when needed. It also makes preparing and cooking evening meals much easier so that a small ramen or couscous portion with some veggies easily suffices. Of course we are all out there as we see fit and to each his own, but I have found the above approach solves the portion size problem when I am going solo. The good news is all those just a bit too big packages are really nice when it is two or three. I suspect if kept in the bottom of a kayak during the day any of the heat and serve foil packets will last at least 24 hours after opening. After many fresh foods will last a few days if kept reasonably cool in a kayak. Ed Lawson

John: The superior blanks are made up of laminations with specific grain orientation with the result being a tough paddle given the fact its made of pine. Mine seems to get chewed up less than my red WRC paddles for some reason. Another option is to get the GP sold by Shaw & Tenney in Maine. It will be a little heavier since it is Spruce and it does not have vertical grain, but they are very tough paddles. They come rough and it is expected you will modify as needed. They also will custom size them to some extent. I like the blade width as the Superior is a bit wide for for general paddling, IMHO. Ed Lawson

John: The superior blanks are made up of laminations with specific grain orientation with the result being a tough paddle given the fact its made of pine. Mine seems to get chewed up less than my red WRC paddles for some reason. Another option is to get the GP sold by Shaw & Tenney in Maine. It will be a little heavier since it is Spruce and it does not have vertical grain, but they are very tough paddles. They come rough and it is expected you will modify as needed. They also will custom size them to some extent. I like the blade width as the Superior is a bit wide for for general paddling, IMHO. Ed Lawson

Bill: You are not alone. Ironically, Mark of Superior Kayaks prefers wooden paddles. Ed Lawson

Just to continue the run of hijacking threads. Anyone know of a way to have dinner/moonlight/practice session in Portsmouth area? As long a doing a variety of things. Seems there should be a way to incorporate these three. These might be options. http://bgsboathouse.com/ http://www.chaunceycreek.com/ Ed Lawson

IP testing is done with fresh water, not salt water which is inherently more corrosive if nothing else. A phone typically has may jacks and even if they are covered the odds are against them for corrosion in a salt water environment. Also, IPX7 rating can be exceeded in terms of water pressure if the device is hit by waves resulting in excessive water ingress. Finally, the IPX7 standard allows for water ingress, it does not require that device be totally protected from water. Even minor salt water ingress has the potential to raise havoc with electronics. Just to complicate life, an IPX7 rating does not mean the product would pass the IPX5 or 6 test since they relate to being subjected to jets of water under pressure. Ed Lawson

Gary: It is indeed. The pictures of the islands have made me want to visit a few I had never thought that much about before. Ed Lawson

David and Warren: First and most importantly I hope you enjoy your journey. In keeping with the bear motif. Last week in Brave Boat Harbor met a couple who had paddled quite a bit in Alaska. Apparently there was always a debate about whose turn it was upon landing to stick a finger in any bear poop on the beach to see if it was fresh. While on a hike today actually saw a bear. First time in several years. Don't see them often despite the fact they are quite a few around. Ed Lawson

Andy: Sorry. My question was why did you believe the waves would not be much closer to 2' than 8'. Ed Lawson

Why do you believe you won't be able to? Ed Lawson

To hijack a thread. Does the NSPN trip level limit for waves/chop include swell? I would think not, but maybe open to interpretation. Seems with winds not greater than 10Kts any significant waves would be from swell and not troublesome steep, short period waves. Isn't 10Kts the world of modest,scattered whitecaps? Ed Lawson

Gene: By take off I assume you mean starting from a stop and trying to accelerate. The flutter is due to the foil being in a stall condition. Just like a plane, it will shutter when stalling. Some paddles will stall easily when too much speed/force is used (particularly when the boat is stationary or at very low sped) due to nature of design and this can also be caused by poor technique. I have a GP designed for use with SOF and it will flutter when starting in a FG boat if I try to accelerate fast, but it will not flutter even when used with a loaded touring boat once up to speed and if I accelerate slowely. My $.02 is that you be sure not to get a paddle with a loom that is too short as that is worse than a loom that is too long. A short loom will constrict you breathing and efficiency because it restricts the rib cage. You should have a loom length that results in your hand almost touching the water when paddling..actually will touch regularly. Ed Lawson

Gene: The Superior carbon paddle is a wonderful tool, but one disadvantage is the loom dimensions and shoulder design are fixed. I am 5' 10" or so without shoes and my GPs tend to be around 86" with looms around 20". You really need to put in some time with a GP to see what size would work best for you since there are so many variables. Since Doug has a better sense of your size and paddling style, I would defer to his opinion on sizing for you which sounds right. It might be helpful to you to give Superior a call and ask their opinion. Be sure to have you height and shoulder width along with being ready to discuss type of paddling and boats dimensions before you call. Since I am a contrarian, I suggest getting a wooden paddle made that is customized for you if you do not need the strength and durability of the carbon paddle . While it will need to be maintained and will get chewed up by rocks over time, it will be nearly as light, easier on the shoulders, and will fit you better. Ed Lawson

Phil: What is the advantage/purpose of the quick draw link as opposed to connecting the rope directly to the carabiner? I can conceptualize how that might be better when clipping through a second boat alongside the towee, but then anyone can conceptualize anything, but that does not mean it relates well to the reality of doing anything. Ed Lawson Who, oddly, owns and has used hog ring pliers.

Just out of curiosity. Has anyone really needed a 50' tow rope in NE waters or is less than 35 ' more than adequate length of towing a fellow kayaker nearly all of the time in the conditions that prevail here? Ed Lawsonj What do I know? Not much.

Doug: Thanks for link to story. A reminder that the greatest risk is getting to and from the water. Either traveling or carrying boats. Grateful they are OK. Ed Lawson

This past weekend I did a tour of Muscongus Bay with a couple of friends. One of them is a birder and she talked about a web cam at an Osprey nest on Hog I. So of course we had to find the nest with the web cam which we did by luck or incredible skill. Watching it is a little addictive. As I write this one of the parents is feeding the chicks. Here is the link. http://explore.org/live-cams/player/live-osprey-cam Too bad there is no web cam for the Puffins on Eastern Egg Rock, but there is one on another island. http://explore.org/live-cams/player/puffin-loafing-ledge-cam Compared to the grace of the Osprey, the Puffins reminded me of the blunt and awkward Bee Gee racer as they did low passes by us. Ed Lawson

Josko: Oh, that place. Yes, great food. For some reason I thought you were talking about a cove on IAH. Decided to go from the Duck Harbor to the western side of Deer Isle with the NW wind this past Sat, eh? Assuming it was same wind as in Muscongus that must indeed have been a slog. Wind seemed rather constant in the @15 kt range. I don't recall much in the way of a swell though which is understandable given NW wind.. Ed Lawson

Curious, where is Goose Cove on IAH? "Sooo serious" <G> So long as those swells are not too big or, more importantly, so long as it is not a lee shore in a blow, that is a glorious stretch indeed. Ed Lawson

Any interest amongst the NH contingent for a Sunday paddle from Ft. Foster around Gerrish then up to York Harbor or so and back? Ed Lawson

Jason: It appears to me the dates are correct while the days are a bit jumbled. In any event, the possible paddling routes for Friday through Monday are there for folks to consider. Obviously what trips are done will depend upon many factors some of which will not be known until the day or two before if not the day of. Ed Lawson

Dave: There is some truth to the saying "You can't get there from here." Just the other day I was giving directions to someone who has only lived in NH for a few years and their response was "I don't drive on those little country roads.", and I was giving directions to use what I thought were big highways. <g> Ed Lawson

Sounds like a great idea to me. Of course I would like to see sessions in my backyard at Opechee or Winnisquam. When they draw down the dams there are opportunities to play in current on these. Perhaps different locations could be used for sake of variety? Ed Lawson