FPSIII

Marblehead spots: Riverhead Beach across from Deveraux is clear most of the time and has the concrete ramp that reaches the water unless it is low tide, Deveraux is clear within 2 days after a snow storm as it gets packed down. It is not plowed on the Deveraux side as near as I can tell. This High altitude photo shows Deveraux on the left Riverhead on the right. http://wikimapia.org/1784006/Riverhead-Beach Grace Oliver's is a nice protected cove (unless there is a Noreaster) with parking space along the shoulder the road within 50-100 feet of the beach.Plenty of parking for 20 cars or so. It has a sandy bottom beyond the initial 20' or so of round beach rocks. It is pretty level after that and no deeper than about 15' untill you get to the north edge of Brown's Island. Salem is to the West and Marblehead harbor is very close to the east. This is where I plan on practicing rolls, etc next summer. It is on Doliber Cove. It is the area in the center of this photo. http://wikimapia.org/#lat=42.5148161&l...amp;m=a&v=2 All are public with Deveraux charging in the summer only unless you have the sticker. I would be happy chk these out for snow issues before a paddle. I am not looking at this site very often this time of year so please E mail if you have any questions . fscullyiii@comcast.net Frank

I am sure I will be labeled a heretic by some for posting this but I think it's best to keep an open mind. Try not to hate me too much for posting this. These views in these articles are not necessarily mine. I thought it might provoke an interesting exchange. Here are the links: Interesting articles on Global Cooling. http://tobefree.wordpress.com/2008/10/17/g...e-in-250-years/ http://network.nationalpost.com/np/blogs/f...es-go-poof.aspx http://www.dailytech.com/Temperature+Monit...rticle10866.htm http://www.newsbusters.org/blogs/nathan-bu...-global-cooling FPSIII

I did not say the Fishermen were unfriendly or had an attitude. I said they made comments.. Perhaps I chose the wrong words. I was not offended by what was said to us. I got a laugh. Maine Fisherman can say some funny (not unfriendly) things at the expense of people "from away". I like seafaring folk. I think people in these small coastal towns embody all that is best in America . Matter of fact my Grandfather and his Family going back to the 1700's into the early 1920's were Fishing and Lobstering in Deer Isle, ME. Frank

I've only been there by water. If It's warm you better bring Deet. I have never seen so many "Skeeters" along the Maine coast. The harbor is a bowl with all sorts of runoff into it. Hence "Round Pond" When I was there it looked like it was full of tea. We were on a sail boat. It's a working harbor... expect some comments from the Lobstaaah men. One said from the fish pier "That's about as useful as a faaht in a fraahing paaahn". Nice town. No night life. Frank

I have another suggestion if you are open to it. There is a Camp area in Oceanville next to Stonington. It is close around the corner from Eggamoggin Reach East & Deer Isle Thoroughfare. There are great seafood restaurants a short walk from the water front in Stonington like the Fisherman's friend. It is right on the water. And it is in a protected spot perfect for practice. http://www.oldquarry.com/ It is at an old quarry with plenty of parking and camping . North East and South West harbor area are expensive as hell. Plus the best sight seeing is around Stonington as there are more islands off it. North East Harbor is not that far from Stonington. There is a Main Island trail as well . http://www.mita.org/ If any of you want some pointers on some nice spots to explore I can break out a chart and name some. Frank

I posted the Coupon code for the Kelley Kettle in the classifieds section. It is a tad expensive but all i hear from people is that they have had had it for years and years and no complaints. They last decades and long as you do not crush it and flatten it. How many products can say that? no moving parts, no jets or orfices to keep clean. He has flat rate shipping so one order for you and your interested buddies would max out at 10 brit pounds. Not sure what exchange rate is today but id say about $20 dollars. I am not making money on this. The Owner seems like a nice guy and he makes a good product. I would rather buy the original. Frank

Jet boil uses a butane canister. It is against Coast Guard rules to have more than one canister on any small craft. Jet boil runs over $110 with out the butane fuel, this would be less expensive. This Item uses wood scraps or news paper. It could probably burn dried out seaweed. I have a you tube link here. http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=WFDDVPkx8AY The music is really bad The Company just e mailed me this morning that they are offering the Club a coupon code that will give any one in the club 15% off. That is buying from the web site. The offer would be for teh month of May. I am sure iof we bought quite a few they would extend the offer. Frank

Here is a very cool Kayak friendly item. It is called a Kelley Kettle / volcano kettle. http://www.kellykettle.com/?gclid=CNPHkdnTgJICFQV9lgodtmPD8w This and a good flint could be a life saver or at the very least make a camp cozier. I will post in classifieds. I have previously been in contact with the owner of the manufacturer and could get the club and friends a better deal than normal if there is enough interest. Frank

Robert, It may help if you add more detail about the damage and it's location. Regards, Frank

Suz, Have you had any noticeable health improvements from drinking Kefir? I think I read it was supposed to help with digestion in general and help digest fats. If Kefir is placed in an open container is not there a chance of wild yeast or bacteria infecting the batch? If you or any one reading this have some spare grains I will go buy a gallon "growler"/ jug of Ipswich Ale clean it out properly and put an airlock on it and see how it works. This might be a better way to culture on the fly as it would keep bugs and stuff out of your kefir. If some one went to a Liquor store that carried Ipswich ale they could probably find one empty in the return room and just pay the deposit fee (50 cents I think). I've read that you can only go 7 generations re using the Kefir grains but some one else wrote that it can go on forever as long as you keep making continous batches. If it tastes like Yogurt Kefir might be tasty in a Curry dish. Frank

Suz, I've done some home brewing of beer. Do you use some sort of jug or other container with an air lock? Frank

OOOOps not all public.

Perhaps the Marblehead Y? or Marblehead High School. The name N.S.P.N. may help get positive reaction on the North Shore. Here is a list of public pools in Essex county http://www.clubswim.com/swimming-pools-res...SwimmingPools=1 Frank

Who won the tea shirt contest? And what does it look like? Frank

Kayaking is like sailing.. If you are in a hurry then they are both the wrong vehicles. Get a power boat. (damn I hated to say that) But for people who think the journey is more important than the destination, slow is the only way to go. I think another sport may be better if taken slow. Frank

Try this one as well http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=p9ryf-Uam0g Frank

NSPN members, I should probably "let sleeping dogs lie" But I am a firm believer that people can clear up allot of things by constructive dialogue. I truly regret that I caused such a firestorm with my comments the other day. It was in bad taste. That is not who I am. I know that even though the post and all the varius statements that were made are gone from this message board the anger and ill feelings remain. I am hoping to have fun, grow in skill and make friends with you all who enjoy this sport so much. I hope we can put this behind us. If that is not possible well then this can be my final post in here and my final contact with NSPN. I will supply my e mail here and of course your comments can be in this open forum. fscullyiii@comcast.net Regards, Frank

Hello Kent and all you other Greenland enthusiasts, I just bought Bethany's old perception Aquaterra Chinook (looks like a good first boat) on the 19th and some gear today. I would like to chk out the Greenland boats on Walden Pond, are you going to be there this weekend? I think maybe based on advice from this forum that I should put in some paddling time get comfortable and try other peoples kayaks/ Quajags before I decide what to build. I can see what aesthetics I like but I'm not sure that will translate into a boat that I will like. I just dont know whats "right" yet or what would be a good fit. Harvey Goldens book just came in today and I am drooling over some of the lines. Would it make sense to take a n existing desicgn like in Harvey Goldens book and add some beam to it to make it easier for a noobie like me? I'm a sailor and would be able to pick what I wanted in a sailboat but Kayaks are new to me. I should probably just dive in and build a good conservative hull with some beam, It would be a good way to learn even if it was just an experiment a base line to start from. Thanks, Frank

Thank you all for taking the time to offer advice. I am digesting all of it. I am so hungry to get on the water before it gets too cold. Thanks , Frank

Jason, Found a link online to buy it direct http://greenlandpaddlebook.com/ Frank

Ed, Thanks for the quick post. I was'nt sure how to reply on the board, when i hit reply button it gave me your text in a box. Adam Bolonski mentioned Brian as well but suggested I post on NSPN first to see if any one "Bit". I also figured Brian may see my post and reply in time. I'm 5' 10" 193lbs right now. a tad over weight but plan on dropping to about 180-185 lbs by spring the trend is in the right direction at the moment. I learned how to steam bend ribs from Thad Danielson here in Marblehead at Redd's Pond Boatworks. He can rip as much rib stock as i need and he has the steam box. ( he is a nice guy but may over charge ) I have an old beer keg for a steamer and could fabricate my own setup if I need to. I think I would go "Traditional" to start with the Greenland paddle etc. I am willing to chk out a 2nd hand "Starter" boat if it was a proper fit for me. Regards, Frank

Ed I tried e mailing you but got this

Hello, I am new to this message board and I am inexperienced in Kayaking but am excited to learn. I want to build a skin on frame Greenland Kayak this fall / winter and was wondering if anyone was planning on building one or in the process of building one now? It would be interested in seeing whats involved and would be happy to help if it was welcome. I can not afford a decent production boat right now and think building my own would be rewarding. I have ordered (Harvey Goldens book as well as Edward Tappan & Chappelle's book) that I will be studying . Thanks, Frank