bbjorn

Way to go, Sid!!

I'm canceling this trip due to insufficient interest. I may reschedule it sometime this summer if I can work out a better parking arrangement, maybe a shuttle to Lynch park from somewhere else in the area where we can park free. Janice, you might want to consider Doug Mogill's trip out of Lanes Cove this Saturday, paddling around the tip of Rockport -- a really nice area. (http://www.nspn.org/forum/index.php?showtopic=8716). Current NOAA predictions for Saturday are similar to last Saturday afternoon -- 10 -13 mph winds and fairly calm seas. Blaine

egads!! It's been a while since I last parked at Lynch and was relying on online sources for the parking fee info. So much for accuracy online. The problem is there are no other publicly accessible launch points until you reach Stage Fort Park in Gloucester. I was not aware of a fee for visiting the MIserys. I have landed on both Great Misery and Little Misery many times in the past several years and have not seen a ranger. Maybe just luck. Thanks for the info, Connor. At this point the trip is still on, pending a couple more interested paddlers willing to pay the exhorbitant parking fee. Blaine

Glad to hear you're psyched for more Cathy. Just keep in mind that the rocks sometimes like to bite back. But it's not the rocks that will get you -- it's that big wave you didn't see coming! Keep looking over your shoulder. Spoken from hard-won experience. Blaine

If you're still getting your sea legs and not quite ready to venture farther out from shore, come join me on a leisurely paddle up the beautiful coastline of Beverly Massachusetts. This trip is geared for the level 2+ paddler (for paddle level descriptions see here: http://nspn.org/paddle_levels.htm ). We will meet at Lynch Park in Beverly at 10:30 Saturday morning and launch from there at 11:00. There is a small parking fee for non-residents. We'll follow the coastline northeast toward Manchester-by-the-Sea at a leisurely 2 - 2.5 knot pace, or whatever pace the group is comfortable with. If conditions are mild and we have enough time and energy, we may make the half-mile crossing out to the beautiful Misery Islands, a perfect lunch stop. We will plan to arrive back at Lynch park between 4:30 and 5:00 PM. Total distance 7 - 9 miles depending on whether or not we go to the Miseries. Note that this trip is weather dependent. The current forecast is for clear skies and moderate breeze from the WSW which means a tail wind in the morning and headwind on the return. If the forecast changes significantly, the location may be changed or the trip possibly canceled. You can turn on the Follow this topic option at the top of the screen to be informed of any updates. You must have a sea-worthy touring sea kayak, at least 15 feet in length, with spray skirt and PFD. A wetsuit (shortie, farmer john/jane, or full) is recommended, or at least sufficient layers of NON-cotton material to keep you warm if you end up in the water. Bring your lunch, water, snacks and sunblock. Note also that this is a CAM trip (http://www.nspn.org/...rticipation.htm). There won't be any formal instruction, although we should all be willing to share our knowledge informally throughout the day. If interested please RSVP here and let me know the likelihood of your attending so I can get a head count. Blaine Bjornstad

Janice -- it worked. Glad you can join us. See you tomorrow. Blaine

Peter and Kate, I don't know if you noticed me scribbling furiously to get everything down, but I have many pages of great ideas I can't wait to try out. Many thanks for the very informative, and entertaining, workshop. Blaine

Rob, We'll have a sharp eye on the weather tomorrow and will be keeping all options open, including shortening trips or, if need be, canceling the paddling and starting the party early. There is no rain date. Hopefully any thunderstom activity would be brief and we can just wait it out off the water, then continue when it's over. All part of why we love kayaking. Blaine

.

Saturday is shaping up to be a great day for paddling in mild conditions -- predictions are for light winds, calm seas, and temperature in the 70's. We'll be paddling at a relaxed pace, only about 6 miles over 4-5 hours, with several rest stops along the way to stretch, snack, relax and take in the views. If you've been wanting to try ocean kayaking, this is the perfect opportunity. You should have a kayak suitable for ocean travel: at least 15 feet long, with water-tight compartments or air bags in the bow and stern, a pfd that fits you properly, and a spray skirt that fits both you and your kayak cockpit. Sit on top kayaks (no cockpit) are not appropriate for this trip. You should already have practiced getting out of your kayak while upside down in the water (wet exit), and be reasonably comfortable doing it. The water is still fairly cold, so even though a wet-exit and swim is not very likely, a wetsuit is strongly recommended just in case. Note that this trip does not include formal instruction. It's a chance to paddle in a group of similarly skilled kayakers in a setting appropriate for novice level (L2) paddlers. After we return to Riverhead Beach, we'll have a chance to hang out together with the other paddling groups, and have a picnic/barbeque until the sun goes down. I hope you will join us! If you have any questions or concerns, you can email me at sunblaine@sunblaine.net. Blaine Bjornstad

The link to the paddle levels is not working. Try this one: http://nspn.org/paddle_levels.htm

You're going to be monitoring the message board from your kayak?!! There's got to be some kind of award for that.

Hey guys, I'm afraid one of those chickens got loose. I just noticed the Calendar events appear to have all shifted to a day earlier. So everything that was scheduled for a Saturday, like the Solstice paddle, is now on a Friday, and the Sunday events have moved to Saturday. The Chebbaco sessions have moved from Thurs. to Wed. and the Seabrook surf sessions from Wed. to Tues. Other than that, I like the new look. Sorry to be the bearer of bad news. I hope this is an easy fix for you. Having worked in tech support as a DBA, I'm all too familiar with that awful feeling when the "easy" upgrade goes awry. Blaine

A really nice report Pru, and a very enjoyable read. I almost felt like I was there, and am now committed to going there soon. If you also have pictures, you should consider submitting this to Atlantic Coastal Kayaker magazine for possible publication. It's published locally, in Ipswich, and has a large number of subscribers all up and down the East coast. I believe the editors welcome trip write-ups like yours for possible publication. You never know, you might get published. Gee, maybe you could even mention somewhere that you're members of NSPN and help lure a few readers to join! If you do decide to share this publicly though, and if you haven't read the first pinned entry on the General Msg. Board regarding disclosure to the general public of the private islands on the Maine Island Trail, you will need to. Blaine

Never mind -- I just reread the above and saw 11:00.

Hey guys, sorry for the very late notice, but I'd like to join you tomorrow. Are we meeting at 10:30, or launching? Blaine

Sure hope this one is wrong! But thanks for the input Ed. Will have to let you know who to listen to -- Magic Seaweed or Swellinfo.

Great -- it's about time!

Sure, 5:00 is good. And that time might make it possible for anyone else who's interested to join us.

I have the day off too so anytime works for me. Assuming we'd be launching from the Seabrook side of the bridge, it would be nice to paddle out on the ebb or slack and back on the flood. Low tide is 4:15pm. Magic Seaweed is showing wave heights at Hampton of 1.5 feet at noon, 3 feet at 6pm, so later will be better. Blaine

Sorry -- misread the forecast. Looks like the peak is early in the day, diminishing through the afternoon to 3 feet. That sounds just about right to this out of shape surfer. Blaine

Dustin, I might be able to join you. Did you have a time in mind? According to Magic Seaweed it looks the surf will be building in the late afternoon. Blaine