bazzert

I cant believe it is August and I have not done a full moon trip this year. Sadly we're going to be away that weekend. For anyone who has not tried it ... it's an experience! Barry.

Hi Karen, Depending on when you need it you're welcome to borrow the Perception Scout I just got for our 6 year old. He handles it pretty well, although I end up towing him quite a bit :-)It has no bulkheads, so I fitted it out with two float bags which reduces the volume. We're in Medford so not far from you. We'll be leaving for Maine next friday for the week with it. Barry.

I would say you have a snowball's chance in hell of finding one of those spots Usually accross from the park in the lot (where the DnD is) they collect a fee for beach parking; you could unload and then park there. I dont recall the amount but it might have been $10 or so. Probably worth it for a day out on as fine a piece of coastline as anywhere. In Lisa Evan's book, she mentions that with the appropriate permissions from the police department parking behind the police station (there is a boat ramp right there) is an option; but that may only apply out of season. Worth a try. Barry.

If you want company please post as a trip! I havent done a Cape Ann circumnav this year. Barry.

Terrific pictures Blaine! Particularly like #80. Barry.

Sorry Christopher, I'll be away this weekend, otherwise would have jumped at this. Previous full moon trips were a lot of fun. Barry.

More detailed article here.

Sun Journal BAR HARBOR, Maine (AP) — Authorities say a kayak capsized off the coast of Maine, killing a New Hampshire man who was paddling with relatives. The Maine Marine Patrol says it's unclear how the 43-year-old man's kayak capsized Sunday afternoon off Mount Desert Island. The man's companion jumped out of her kayak to try to rescue him, but Officer Colin MacDonald told the Bangor Daily News that the man was too big for her to keep him above water. MacDonald says a sailboat eventually pulled the pair from the water, but the man was unresponsive and died. The kayakers had life jackets but weren't wearing them. Three weeks ago, a 28-year-old man from Webster, Mass., died off Mount Desert Island while kayaking on his honeymoon. Strong winds were thought to have caused the accident.

Great pics Jeff! Rob, thanks for calling this one ... it was a great day. Barry.

Is this the launch ? thanks, Barry.

Hi Rob, I plan to be there as well! Apparently its going to be "cloudy" up in Pemaquid. Barry.

Hi Folks, It looks like we'll have a couple of spare spots for our Squam Lake trip Fri 7/15 & Sat 7/16. I have a reservation for the group site (max 12 people) on Moon Island. It's a relatively short (~2 miles) paddle from the Squam Lake association dock and certainly a good first kayak camping trip with kids (there will be at least 3 others). Let me know if you are interested. Barry.

It doesnt qualify based on "Portland and south in Maine?" but it's hard to beat Five Islands in Georgetown, ME (about 1 hour / 50 miles east of Porland). Had to mention it because there is so much great paddling in this area! Barry.

Hi Tyson, The MITA guide for Penobscot Bay lists a number of launch and parking (including overnight) options in the area; some will require a fee. Barry.

Maybe they had forgotten their TTOR membership card and were going to land on little misery to avoid the warden

See my post about the put in and parking in Rockport for the paddle to Thacher. It's surprisingly easy! You need to make a reservation with the Thacher Island Association and it is (or was) only $5 a night. Barry.

Hi All, I finally got a response from the caretake for June and unfortunately my proposed weekend of 6/11 is not available. I personally cant do any other weekend in June, but if someone would like to try and make another june weekend work and wants to take over the organization of it send me a private message for the relevant email addresses. Barry.

I think you could use either of these two beaches (known locally as White beach and Black beach) . Parking at them is Manchester residents only, but that should not be a problem! I dont believe they are life gaurded. Also the far right (from the sea) of Manolia beach is known as Grays Beach Landing and is a public landing. You should not be hassled if you land all the way to the right. The far left (again from the sea) of Magnolia is under lease to the Trustees of Reservations. Not sure if that would include landing a bunch of kayakers! In any case as Phil points out the tip of Kettle island is actually a pretty nice landing. A good resource to check for coastal access is Mass. Coastal Zone Management Barry

Good question Les, I'll ask when I get confirmation from the steward. May be an option. Barry.

Maybe we could get the movie on dvd and watch it while on the island! Barry.

Ocean Paddler is a great magazine. You can get an online subscription for not too much money. Here's the BBC story on the coroners inquest ... BBC Barry.

I spoke to Lawrence Bussey at MITA and have tentatively proposed Saturday 6/11. This has to be confirmed by the steward on duty for that week, so this is a tentative date. If for some reason this date does not work we can propose others. The cottage is spacious, but basic. There is a limit of 6 people, mostly to limit the use of the outhouse. You must be a MITA member and should consider making a donation for the island upkeep. I'd suggest an early start with a BIB time of 9:00am, this will allow plenty of time to make the crossing get settled, hike and explore the other islands. Weather will trump all other concerns for this trip. It's a solid Level 4 trip, dry suits required and you should only consider it if you have paddled to the shoals before or have made similar long distance open water crossings. Let me know if you are interested or if you have questions, concerns or suggestions. I'll follow up with a "formal" trip proposal. Finally, Lawrence is proposing running a trip where he would take a number of kayaks out on his lobster boat; participants could then explore the islands, stay the night and return the next day; the cost would be nominal (ie. cover costs) and he would like to gauge interest. Would be a great way to experience the Shoals without the long crossing. Let me know if this is something you would do and I will pass it on. Barry.

oops, here's the public link.

A handful of pictures from the trip. Barry.

An exciting development for MITA in 2011 is the addition of Smuttynose, Isle of Shoals to the trail with permission for MITA memebers to stay overnight in the cabin. Prior permission is required and is limited to 6. This would allow splitting the trip over 2 days and give more time to explore/hike the other islands. Would anyone be interested in doing this? perhaps a weekend in June or July. Barry.