bazzert

Pru,

Another terrific report. I particularly like how you characterize the different areas, that was my memory of Muscongus as well. It definitely felt much more exposed.

Barry.

I will be out of state until Saturday night. Maybe I will paddle out on Sunday to wake everyone up! :-)

Hi Rene,

Let me know if you are still planning to paddle out on sunday. I'd join you.

Barry.

Pru,

Thanks for a great report; and to Warren and Ed for a great trip. Finally got around to uploading my pictures which you can find here. It really is a beautiful place and well worth the drive.

Barry.

Returning from Maine yesterday we passed a 3 car accident just south of Kennebunk that appeared to have been caused by some kayaks coming off a car. One car was a hundred yards ahead of the accident with 2 smashed kayaks on the road. I dont think there were serious injuries, but the cars were mangled and there were several distressed kids by the side of the highway. It was a stark reminder that you (me!) need to check your racks, use bow and stern tie downs and check your straps for uv degradation.

Barry.

I'm planning a trip from the Ipswich River out to Cranes Beach. Where is a good put in?

If you want to launch on the River there is a boat ramp on East St, for bay or ocean paddling a lot of us launch from Pavilion Beach.

Barry.

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.

Does anyone have a small kayak that I could borrow for a 5 year old child who is 45 lbs and 45 inches tall ?

Thanks,

Karen

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 plan to get there around noon on a Saturday in August....am I crazy?

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.

I'm planning on circumnavigating Cape Ann. Is there a preferred way around given wind and tides for this time of year? I'll probably start at Lanes Cove.

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

Barry.

This was an exceptionally beautiful trip. Here are more photos:

https://picasaweb.google.com/116681396281387802896/GeorgetownIslandTrip02?authkey=Gv1sRgCOiGzt2KuMzpAg

Blaine

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.

My pics from today http://smu.gs/o2A1Jv

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

Barry.

Anyone interested in a leisurely paddle among the ledges south of Portsmouth? Low Slack at Little Harbor is predicted at 1300. We could meet at the Seavey Creek launch at 1000, launch by 1030, go play for a few hours and ride the flood back to the cars.

Who's up for it?

Cheers,

Rob

Is this the launch ?

thanks,

Barry.

Anyone interested in a leisurely paddle among the ledges south of Portsmouth? Low Slack at Little Harbor is predicted at 1300. We could meet at the Seavey Creek launch at 1000, launch by 1030, go play for a few hours and ride the flood back to the cars.

Who's up for it?

Cheers,

Rob

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.

Emilie and I are planning to spend a couple nights out on Muscle Ridge this coming weekend. We've found a few places we can launch from, but concerns about low tide launches and overnight parking have us a little stumped. Any suggestions?

Thanks!

Ty

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.

Otherwise why go between the islands? I was having fun imagining a crew that was looking to stop for lunch and maybe some grog.

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

The closest thing might be Thacher Island. I have no idea what might happen if you parked at Lane's Cove but others have done Thacher and could suggest put-ins for overnight parking.

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.

In June I gotta believe that all the beaches are off limits short of an emergency. You might consider the rocky western end of Kettle Island as a breakpoint.

Phil

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

Hi Barry,

I am interested. Do we need to sleep in the cabin or can we pitch tents near the cabin?

Les

Barry.

Did you know about the Smuttynose Murders?

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

Barry.