Gillian

What's a KP Jet?

Hi there! Kevin and I are planning on showing up for Mystic tonight - anyone else going?

Okay, did nobody else pick up the fact that you POKED THE SHARK WITH YOUR PADDLE!!?? Okay let's just think about this for awhile and re-group . . . . . Cool story . . . glad it wasn't me . . . quick way to have to throw away a perfectly good pair of shorts

Ed, sounds like a great trip - nice pics!!!! How do you find seeing your compass and/or charts in fog? Having not been in it myself yet I was wondering - I was out for the first couple times at night and had the appropriate lights so people could see me but didn't have a flashlight to see my compass (not that i needed to but just something i noted) . . . Do you find it more helpful to use buoys as markers rather than the compass? Just curious . . .

I'll totally go if you tow me around the harbor . . . otherwise I might fall asleep in my boat tonight

pansies.

Depending on where you guys go, I'll do my best to catch up with you on the water. Damn job always getting in the way of my paddling fun. If it's late don't worry, I'll be the glow stick paddling towards you

"So you do you mean, If I start waving my glow stick around the tankers won't do a 180 then run and hide? ;)" wait, waving which glow stick? wait, what?

"Trying" is the key word . . . I remember getting into some rocks and not seeing a big swell behind me . . . I don't think I've ever done the back stroke quite so efficiently before . . .

Exactly Ed, exactly . . . the other question is can you kayak with holes in your gelcoat Kevin???

Oh they're on my payroll . . . . Ed, I'm glad the Saturday trip was great!!! I'll definitely join the next trip like that however last weekend I was too busy sitting on my butt on the beach

Just a couple pics I took from the Portsmouth SNG last week: http://pg.photos.yahoo.com/ph/gilliankirst...m/ph//my_photos

So about halfway through my first season of ocean kayaking I'm thrilled, relaxed, smiling more, excited, elated, calm, sore, and tired . . . I wanted to write a few trip reports but I'll have to squeeze it into one. We missed the Maine trip unfortunately which I hear had at least 3 top notch paddlers swimming, so I know that meant fun conditions, but as it turned out there were lots of folks around who showed up for show and go's locally, some of which have already been reported. However, it was some of my first times in rock gardens and with Billy shooting ahead with careful timing between waves and rocks, I remember following him with fast paddle and closed eyes . . . it was a thrill and a joy and once on the other side, my boat rocked in gentle swells while I watched local birds perched on the rocks as the rest of the group almost got crushed by some incoming waves in the rock garden. It always amazes me how we can be 10 feet from each other and I'm hanging out in my boat watching birds and I believe it was Rob, Kevin and Ernie were paddling thier hearts out trying to avoid some pretty big incoming waves. The rest of the week was spent locally in Salem and we tried our first night paddles Thursday and Friday. It's a different world at night and one that I've fallen in love with. The conditions have been particulalry benign lately which doesn't make for much excitement but at night the sound of the paddle through the water, the bow wake lit by moonlight and the overall quiet of night is breathtaking. Kevin, Julia and I were lucky enough to catch an incredible sunset and a beautiful moonrise . . . I also did a sculling draw and had my boat go sideways for the first time!!! Friday we were joined by Chris and we put in a bit later to get the full effect of the night paddle. We paddled from Salem Harbor to Marblehead and back and although there was a haze covering the moon sometimes, there was plenty of ambient light, not too much boat traffic and the glow sticks we had along with a some new light we had recommended by Alex made us quite visable. Chris thought it'd be great for a night paddle in Boston harbor with a view of the city and I readily agree although somehow I think my glow stick might not be quite the guard between me and large tankers that I would hope for Yesterday found me on the Brackenbury Cove trip, thank you Dee and Bob - great idea!!!! I've fallen in love with paddling but I do miss the days of sitting on the beach and doing nothing but napping and reading so yesterday's trip was a great combination of the two . . . Today I was so tired that I took a number of naps and found that the act of sitting down and standing up had become more of an artform than it used to be . . . Kevin of course has been strutting around unhindered Maybe I'll get there next season . . . . But I understand now why people can fall in love with paddling . . . it can be a sport, a social experience, a connection with the self, a connection with the sea, exercise, and for me at least it's brought me back to what's important in life . . .

Chris, will do . . . but I can guarantee you we'll be there!! Unless a rogue hurricane rolls through the area

ha! ed, thanks for responding, i was starting to wonder if everyone had burned their kayaks then i just realized people are probably jealous of my 5/8 roll i like the idea of the dinner and paddle, weeknights are tough for me as i don't get home until around 7ish usually however, i'll definitely plan something like that for a weekend night. are ya coming tomorrow?? the more people the more hugs!!!!

Okay so we'll be launching from The Friendship in Salem, at 7:45pm heading over to Marblehead and then back to Salem and drinks at The Pig afterwards. Chris if you need directions let me know! It's a bit of a portgage from the street to the water so if you have wheels for your kayak bring them along. If there's no parking right on the street, there's a place to pull in, unload all your gear and then there should be plenty of street parking in the neighborhood. This will be great experience for night paddling in a fairly protected area. The full moon is rising on Monday, so tomorrow should be almost full and the weather should be great!

Agreed! What a great day . . . I even got to play in the rocks for the first time and got a few scrapes on my boat other than those gained from parking lot concrete Plus you guys were really cute when you did that big group hug on the beach . . . I didn't realize that was part of kayaking when I signed up . . .

Well if that's the case, Rob shouldn't your name be Rob Person Without Caution?

Heidi that's awesome!!! Keep it going!!! Each time you do a wet exit try to keep yourself relaxed , tap the bottom of your boat, or even do a quick recital of the alphabet in your head - it surprisingly doesn't take long . . . this will get you really comfortable, so for those times when you're not expecting to go over, you'll be totally prepared! Oh yes, and this sport can definitely not be the most graceful when you're out of your boat I remember trying on a dry suit for the first time up in Kittery Trading Post in front of someone, eh hem, that I was trying to look presentable for By the time I was trying to get the damn thing off, I was a sweaty mess half in and half caught in latex gaskets missing more than a few strands of hair, writhing around on the damn floor of KTP, with my now significant other laughing his as* off at me . . . it's the first of many embarrassing kayaking stories!!!!

Got the chance to get a few pictures on Day 2 when it wasn't pouring down rain . . . here's the link to the album I have on line! http://pg.photos.yahoo.com/ph/gilliankirst...m/ph//my_photos

Hi there! Anyone going tonight? I know Kevin and I plan on coming by . . . David, I'll be a bit late b/c of work but will try the new route you showed me . . . See you guys there!!!!

Hey Gene, I was planning on going this week but work has gotten in the way of my fun again I work only a couple miles from Walden though and definitely plan on going at least once next week . . . maybe next Thursday weather permitting if you're up for it . . . Kate and I had discussed some practice there as well . . . Tonight is the Mystic practice if you're up for that!

Gene, Congratulations!!!!!!!! I'm still working on it but having trouble relaxing during the sweep (talking about rolling here) But you've inspired to keep trying!!! (both)

No, that's only for December paddles - duh! I'm kayaking outfitted in fireworks instead of glow sticks . . . Hey where are we putting in and what time?? Forest River Park?

Sounds awesome, will be there and well lit.