rylevine

Had an excellent trip yesterday with Kevin, Scott, Chris, and Gene. Starting around 11:00 with snow slide to the put-in. In the high 30s and pleasant, but rumor of predicted winds. Seems unlikely as we went from Tuck's in Manchester, outside of Misery, to Eagle, and then to Children's Island for lunch. Very gentle or nonexistent rollers making noodling around rocks very easy. Cold but sunny without wind in morning paddle and at lunch....and I'm beginning to think this will be a very leisurely day. Well, after lunch we round the corner from the Children's Island cove and boom!.....20mph gusts and 2' whitecaps. The entire harbor is hopping....We veto plan to head for Marblehead, and instead off to Eagle, the closest island, and it is all beam wind. No damage, except for an occasional drenching from a large whitecap. After Eagle, we decide to try to get following seas up to the Misery channel cut. As we were approaching the channel suddenly the winds and whitecaps stopped. The sun peeked through for a magnificent view and we proceeded to House Island for some very gentle but instructional rock play. Then back into Manchester, where we were stalked by a very young curious seal. Return to Manchester right on schedule at 3:30. Great day. Thanks to all participants. Bob

QUOTE (Kevin B @ Jan 14 2010, 02:16 PM) <{POST_SNAPBACK}>Sound good Bob. We'll be a total of 4 once you confirm. I'm in. See you tomorrow morning at Tucks! Bob

QUOTE (Kevin B @ Jan 13 2010, 09:46 AM) <{POST_SNAPBACK}>BIB time of 11am at Tucks Point in Manchester. The plan for the paddle will decided at the beach but it most likely will not be a long distance paddle Please post or email interest. Kevin, Looks good for me for tomorrow. Will confirm tonight. Thanks. Bob

Gene, OK. Will try again soon. Happy New Years! Bob

Gene, I'm in. Will check later this evening and am tomorrow for cancellation. Bob

Gene, Right now looks good for me for Thursday, so definitely interested. Bob

Rene, I had them on in the first half of the trip, but became a little nervous about rolling with them as we encountered some chop. I need to practice my roll with them on in a pool or maybe at Forest River. Actually, as the temperature rose during the trip, my hands were fine. Bob

Thanks for the photos, Rene. My wife sewed those beach footwarmers with what was left over from the home-made pogues. Both originated as a small diving wetsuit at a garage sale. It was yet another great trip. Ross, thanks for calling it. Bob

Gene, It was a fabulous year! I averaged one ocean trip a week starting with the practice session that David Lewis organized out of pebble in Rockport, and one practice session a week at Lake Gardner or Chebacco. Trips included the L3++++ solstice paddle (half way) around Baker, Salem Sound rock play with Kevin B, Woods Hole tide race with Marc, Tyson and Emilie, the trip you called out of Deveroix to Swampscott in which Kevin and I found incredible conditions outside of Marblehead Neck, the trip to surf around the dry breakers for my first combat roll and discovering the meaning of 'maytag', our trip with Blaine to practice rescues in the ocean, the famed 'pee bottle' trip out of Tuck's in which we also woke up a seal on the way to the dry breakers and found huge swells on the way back, the recent Boston Harbor trip (my first), and the pleasant cold water workshop paddle on the Kennebunk river. As the water got cold, the trips became more about paddles, scenery and conversation than conditions. Also, for the recent trips I've begun to appreciate the photographers in our group. As I aspire to be an "intermediate" paddler, I've begun to realize that the lake sessions are necessary to learn skills, but may not directly transfer to ocean conditions. In the lake, you tip over and have plenty of time to collect yourself for the assisted or self rescue. The water is warm. There are no waves, wind, nor rocks. Simple critical mistakes, such as having the kayak blow away from you in a gust, are discussed but not 'felt'. Next year I would like to organize some trips in which people get in the water (with an offshore wind!) for more rescue practice. Also, next year I would like to get into surfing and rocks, maybe after I get skilled in boat repair! Also, intrigued about fishing so may tag along with Leon and Rene. Great year and thanks to Rick S, Rick C, and Rob H for those lake sessions. Thanks to all my copaddlers. Looking forward to some winter paddling! Bob

Ross, Right now looks good for me, definitely interested. Thanks. Bob

OK Gene, BIB at 11:30. An hour later than the usual 10:30 should have calmer seas.

Gene, Let's launch from Tuck's point. What time is good for everyone? If we leave before 12, we should agree on a route to tell Leon beforehand. Bob

QUOTE(Kevin B @ Dec 3 2009, 12:24 PM) <{POST_SNAPBACK}>Bob, FYI, FRP is open for parking. Thanks Kevin, that's what I thought. FRP is great if you want to 'ramp up' into conditions via rounding Marblehead. However, looks like by 10:30 there will only be 2-3 ft waves and 10knots east winds (gusts to 20) . Winds lessening as day progresses. I think we can go from anywhere. Any preferences? http://www.weather.gov/forecasts/wfo/secto...ineDay.php#tabs Bob

Gene, Forest River in Salem (I could check about parking availability - which I think is open now), Deveroix or Dolliver(?) in Marblehead, Kings in Swampscott/Lynn, and Deer Island for Boston Harbor. However, I'm fine with either Tuck's or Dead Horse....they never fail as good launching spots. Bob

Look's like Friday is good weather day, and on Saturday there is the Holiday Party and rain. Any interest in Tucks, Salem Willows, or South for Friday? Ernie and others have mentioned Boston Harbor again? If interest, will check sea state. Bob

Scott, I remember you showing me the chart as we came around Peddocks, and pointing out the destination. I was actually a little turned around out there at that point and unfamiliar with the landmarks, so the chart helped a lot. I appreciated our review of it. The name of the island was secondary as long as I could see the destination point (or points, as it turned out) on the map relative to Deer Island. Also, you identified a ringed smoke stack (?) in Winthrop, which helped. As we progressed northward, the buildings on Georges come into view, and all the pieces fell in place. Bob

Barry, I plan to attend. Thanks. Bob

This may require some bracing! http://www.nytimes.com/2009/11/23/sports/23fishing.html - Bob

It was a very pleasant paddle with some beautiful distance views as the sun peeked through the clouds. Tom, that ocean pool by the Magnolia mansion is really interesting. Would like to jump in during a summer trip. My first cold weather trip on the ocean with the semi-dry, and it worked great. Homemade pogues also did the trick, leaving enough air through the side for evaporation but also keeping my hands warm. As colder weather sets in, I'll need gloves with them. Thanks for the pictures, Rene, and to Gene for calling the trip. Bob

Gene, I plan to attend. Bob

Peter, I'm planning to attend. Bob

Ernie, In pondering your recent foray into NSPN marketing and the infamous resulting tail-flag thread, it occurred to me that perhaps we should consider likewise branding of so-called pee bottles. These unfortunate losses at sea would at least have the benefit of spreading the good work of our organization. Unlike with the tail-flags and especially among those males of age 50+, there will be no argument as to the criticality of these devices for paddling safety and comfort! Bob

I second the nomination. Great trip yesterday (notwithstanding the aforementioned loss). Bill, thanks for calling and organizing. Bob