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A blustery beginning and end with a picture-perfect day in between. Pix here Gary

Just a heads up Joe (Suz). Delorme is now in Yarmouth (Google for map-how ironic is that!). Gary

Still poring over your "katepedia" account of your trip, Kate, with tons of valuable information. Made the super-cat stove last night, and works like a charm. Something I'll include in my "bivvy" kit. Speaking of which-from your and VT paddler's accounts there were more than a few dicey moments for a solo paddler, and I'm sure you were prepared to include essentials in your bivvy kit, for circumstances that may have left you stranded, perhaps overnight, on an island other than "basecamp". Care to share your list of "don't leave home without.." for these daytrips from basecamp? I suppose this ought to be included on any outing; I haven't been good about assembling my kit. (Aside: Just finished reading Sea Kayak Mag book of Safety and Rescue, and no mention of this!) Others chime in please. Thanks. Gary

What a great diversion from the everyday pace here at work, Kate! Thank you! And professional-quality photos (how did you get the gull to pose mid-flight?)! I echo your general sentiments of solo paddling. On Day 4, when you were semi-stranded on NW cove of Ile du Havre, did you consider waiting until nightfall to return to basecamp, when the winds might be considerably less (were they?), or did the forecast suggest the winds would continue through the night? Obviously a major decision for a solo paddler with either option containing elements of risk. Gary

Hi Larry. While at the State Fair I stumbled upon an exhibit (jokensigns.com; Ken Young) that did custom signs and decals. He made a decal for me on the spot http://good-times.webshots.com/album/560594366fwQryG . This decal is 8" long and the height is formatted automatically. The cost was $11/decal (Ibought 2) Seemed a far better deal than the well-known commercial outfits. His website is disabled until mid October. Might be worth a call if you're interested - 603.834.0830. Gary

Squam Lake camping, Holderness, NH-Oct 12-14 I’ve reserved a group campsite (limit 12) on Moon Island for Fri and Sat nights http://www.squamlakes.org/sla/camping.htm. Catch some ?late foliage on pristine “Golden Pond”, watch loons and bald eagles, and consider hike up Rattlesnake. Reply if interested by Sept 24, here or via private E. Gary

John, you'll find archived threads on this topic by typing in "knives" in the keyword box, after selecting the search button on the main page. Gary

I've got some BBLean's store credit to apply towards a strobe light. Any recommendations for either Princeton Tec Aqua vs. ACR Firefly plus vs. ???? http://www.llbean.com/webapp/wcs/stores/se...1&langId=-1 Gary

18! brave souls (Scott, Roger, Leslie, Al, Kate, Deb, David(x2), Gail, Ed, Russ, Gary, Don, Mary, Gil, Kevin, Bill, and Judy) launched from Pavillion Beach at 10 am, meandered through Fox Creek, and fought our way through the power boats at Crane's S tip for a leisurely lunch. Some engaged in postprandial surfing on the the NE side of the beach, followed by visits to the Sand Sculpture Contest, then back to the launch site, with a long slog back to the cars. Thanks to Al for posting, and to all the others who joined us for a pleasurable trip. Had some trouble posting to the NSPN gallery so: http://community.webshots.com/album/560436494CgkyPN Gary

I'm going to show up at the put-in as scheduled and see what gives. --David. I'll be there to beat the heat and to see the sculptures. Gary

Brad, a group of us did Jewell from Falmouth Foreside this past May. I'd highly recommend, though you will likely to have some crowds this time of year, especially on the weekend. Gary

>but I don't know how many times I've used it and not been >able to make contact with the party I'm calling---either the >other person doesn't have it on, or is not listening or has >it on but turned the volume down--- I think we are all frustrated by this, and are often guilty ourselves of "tuning out". I guess the point I'd like to stress is that radios can facillitate group communication/safety if everybody is "on the same channel", and this is best accomplished if we remember to do a radio check before each launch, including after rest stops. Gary

>noone should leave the group unless others know they >did, etc. Exactly right Bob. And when (if) they realized they had neglected to tell anyone, a quick call might set things right. Gary

Sorry! Should read experienceS. Yes, Carl is right that these are all separate outings! Gary

Stumbled upon this web site. Seems a good general reference for paddlers of all abilities. http://www.marinerkayaks.com/mkhtml/Kyksaftw.html A few anecdotal experience in support of VHF radios on ALL outings: Seven of us were paddling in benign sea conditions in York, ME. We were suddenly aware that two of the group had disappeared. We naturally focused our attention to the shoreline, believing one or both needed a "pit stop". I summoned the 2 kayakers on my VHF (we had all agreed to monitor channel 72 at the initial launch). Their "come back" was seaward, as they had scurried out to try to identify the source of intermittent blasts from an air horn. Two "new" paddlers decided to take the inland route around an island off Cape Porpoise, and were lost to sight after others in the group took the seaward leg. We spotted them 1/2 hour later, closer to shore, but it would have been preferable to have made radio contact when first rounding the island. Four paddlers paddling into a 15-20 knot headwind separated into 2 groups of 2. I think all had radios, but had neglected (oops!)to monitor each other. Two of our group of six broke off to return to our lake island base camp, with slight trepidation. They borrowed a radio, and were in contact until they made it safely back. Any other stories to add? Gary

>Maybe we should just carry the boats tandem -- it's only 150 >yards. > >--David. You just saved 150 bucks! Gary

No interest in the sale of either of these, just pointing them out for potential buyers (not sure this is the correct forum to post). Hanover, NH is ~1 hour from Concord, NH. http://cgi.ebay.com/sea-kayak-fiberglass-i...1QQcmdZViewItem http://cgi.ebay.com/sea-kayak-fiberglass-i...1QQcmdZViewItem Gary

Thanks Ed. I can't remember where I saw this update (web or print). The address is http://www.gomoos.org and I beleive one can hear recorded info as well by following instructions under "dial-a-buoy" tab. Another (hopefully one of the very few) reason to fire up the cell phone on an extended journey offshore? Gary

>crossed over to Stonington and camped there for two nights, Hi Joe. Where did you camp while in Stonington? Gary

>I suppose I could use a dry bag of clothes for a pillow.......... Hi Joe. A simple solution that works for a pillow for me is to buy a cotton pillow case and sew a new seam to a size to your liking (mine is 14 x 20 inches). Stuff the case with clean extra clothes (fleece works well) and zip closed. Gary

Ed, seems you and I are always planning future trips, and how to make them happen. Seems like a long day on the water to circum. Isle au Haut from Old Quarry. I'd agree with Jonathan's plan of camping 2 nites on one of the islands just N of IaH (Day 1-OQ to base camp; Day 2-circum. IaH, back to base camp; Day 3-back to OQ). With advanced planning you might get lucky to secure a campsite at Duck Harbor (~10 Nm from OQ), operated by Acadia. A fee of $25 secures your lean to for 3 nites (6 campers max). This allows 2 days of "no-go" if the weather turns bad, assuming that Day 1 was placid on your way out. As for the southern coast, my Topo shows low-lying marshy areas-Merchant Cove in Head Harbor and at the NE portion of Western Head. Th E shore looks like a long paddle. I'm planning to hike/bike the island one day next week, via the mail boat, and I'll let you know what I can find out from the locals and any direct observations. Gary

>finally, do people use any secondary retaining devices such >as a lanyard or wrist strap? Jon, I use the included wrist strap as a secondary retaining device on my M88 by unscrewing the antenna and passing radio through the strap loop (which is around the pfd strap). My radio is kept from flopping with 2 homemade rubber bands; others use bungie. Gary

>...so many kayakers don't bother with them... I'm always wearing mine, whether alone or in a group. The obvious utility in the former scenario would be for summoning help and listening to marine forecasts. In the latter, having open lines of communication on a pre-arranged designated channel has facilitated communication with other members of a group paddle, such as on recent Jewell (2 of seven paddlers waiting out a thunderstorm on a nearby island, seriousness of which was alert-broadcasted on weather channel being monitored at the time) and Umbagog (2 paddlers returning to basecamp while others paddled to different destination) trips. For someone like me, who has trouble coherently projecting my raised voice, using the VHF facilitates chatting between slightly separated paddlers. Gary

I'll let the pix do the talking; slide show can be viewed at: https://photos.app.goo.gl/QByM12ydBzkvxXNP6 Gary

Just messing around and came up with a simple, inexpensive solution (maybe-yet untested!)to having the required single white light for night paddling. A 28" CPVC "plastic" plumbing pipe with all the fixtures can securely hold my 360 degreee C-LIGHT. An adapter can accomodate a glow stick for group paddling. The stick is wedged in a vertical position between paddler's back and PFD. During daytime travel, for increased visibility, a large balloon (doesn't everyone have one in their day hatch?) can be tied to the tether atop the stick, flopping about as you paddle. Remove the bottom cap, and alert others with a trumpet like blast through the tube. See pix and captions at http://good-times.webshots.com/album/558917191SxHfjK. Not the best solution I'm sure, and as yet unsure how the rigid tube against one's back will feel over time/distance. Stick stores securely in cockpit and cost $1.80 plus cost of 10' pipe (already had one), C-LIGHT ($12), glow-stick (You already have one-$2.50) and balloon ($0.40). Comments? What do others use for a running light? Gary