Scott Lundquist

Kate, I just finished reading your trip report for the first time (and surely not the last), it was terrific! Thanks so much for sharing your experience and that special corner of the world. It's not the right time in my life for multi-day trips like that, but you've inspired me (and no doubt many others) to hold onto the idea until it can happen. I bet you'll enjoy pulling out the charts this winter over cups of hot tea, planning out the next exploration! -- Scott

Thanks for sharing the story, it sounds terrific. It's timely from my perspective, as last weekend I had my family overlooking Squam from the West Rattlesnake viewpoint and was very intrigued by the idea of paddling there, then discovered a brochure about the island camping. Too late this year for us, but good to know it can be done, and so enjoyably.

Lisa, thanks for sharing that, you clearly should do such writeups more often! And all the photos are nice, but the one you posted with the story is really striking; no doubt 10x better in real life. -- S.

Gene, thanks for sharing your year's summary and inducing others to do the same, I'm enjoying everyone's posts. After paddling Boston's inner harbor yesterday in 18 degree air temps (brrr!), I think it's safe to say my Susquehanna is stowed for the year. It was a terrific year for me on the water; I didn't really enter the sport until I bought a basic river kayak in Sept '08 for XC skiing cross-training, but it quickly became much more than that, esp. once I met Sid and Gene and got a taste of sea kayaking from Tucks. After three decades of outdoor pursuits in New England, it's been a revelation to find such beautiful coastal environments to explore, and such great people to share it with! My 2009 paddling year got underway in mid-March, 87 outings total, 35 on the ocean, many on the North Shore and Boston Harbor areas but also the South Shore, Rhode Island, and a bit of Down East Maine. (NH has had to wait!) Highlights have included spectacular sunrises over Hingham Bay, first seal sightings off the Dry Breakers, progressing towards and achieving first trips out to Boston Light, the Graves, and circumnavigating Cape Ann (chasing Leon and Lisa, thanks guys!), plus trying to spread the joy by taking one of my old running buddies on the circumnav of Castle Neck on a perfect August day. NSPN has been a big part of this, and I hope an even bigger part next season. Thanks to all, have a good off-season and let's just see what 2010 can bring!

All, I won't be joining you today (assuming you're going out), I'll be working. (Have to pay for the paddling gear somehow!). Still sounds like a pretty good day, get it in before this winter storm blows in... -- Scott

Ah, our posts crossed in the ether -- wish I could commit, but really can't until I hear tomorrow morning. I'll call you if I can go (assuming you have sufficient bodies to plan on already), would know and leave right around 9:30am. -- Scott

Ern, have you finalized on the Deer Island launch and itinerary? There is a chance I might be able to join you tomorrow, although I probably won't know until the last minute before I would leave (been waiting for my current project task to kick in for almost a week now). If it's a go I'll try to email you and Sid ahead, but don't wait for me in any case. B.t.w., Thompson island is privately owned and thus not good for a landing/lunch, but Spectacle has a beach near the large dock on the SW side, and views from the heights that are well worth the hike up. And welcome Jeff, you'll see that Ern, Sid and the rest of their gang are sound paddlers and good company, they won't be tempting you to filet yourself on the rocks!

You guys sure picked a great day to tour the Harbor, nice pics too; what's noticible to me is the absence of small boat traffic, which would be swarming all around you on a summer Sunday! Georges is definitely worth a landing to explore, and the little observation tower on the NE end of the fort has some of the best harbor views around. If anyone can make trips there during the week let me know, sometimes I can get away from the desk for a day.

Great footage, thanks for posting it. What exactly is that in his hands? A stubby greenland paddle made of carbon? Or something from the gardening tool shed? The Bay Area is always cutting edge, isn't it...

FYI, I won't be joining you all today, tending a sick child instead (started at 2am this morning; just hoping its not H1N1). Maybe one of you can bring a webcam along? Looks like it will be a superlative day out there, enjoy!

Hey guys, there's a decent chance I'll be able to join you tomorrow, at one of those venues. I'll post and/or e-mail before I leave in the morning, if I can make it.

It sounds too good to pass up, I'll try to make it also. Is parking at Tucks (in the usual under-the-trees area) tolerated now that it's off-season? And Gene, sorry to hear about the mishap!

Thanks guys, despite my last-minute arrangements to join you, it made for a terrific day on the water. Nice to check The Graves off my summer list. And with sunshine, light breezes, gentle swells, no need for a wetsuit -- I'll remember today come November when every day brings another Small Craft Advisory. Here are a few pics showing us approaching Graves Light, our landing on Calf Isl., and closing back in on Deer Island.

Wow, that's starting off the summer season with a bang! I'm interested to hear you used the heel-hook reentry -- I was introduced to that a few weeks ago on a CRCK trip and thought it much faster/effective than the usual method in calm water, but wasn't sure it'd work so well in rougher water; but sounds like did. (I thought maybe the steeper lean of the boat being re-entered could mean water would slosh back in -- that didn't happen?)

Hey guys, sounds like you did the prudent thing, I'm glad it worked out OK (if inconvenient). I'm curious whether it was that the conditions deteriorated in line with the forecast (i.e., were the winds expected to increase and/or change direction), or that the forecast was off? Not that I'm suggesting that forecasts are infallible.

Hey Brian, I see that you haven't activated your ability to receive messages from other NSPN members. If you turn it on I'll send you the message I drafted, incl. a link to a gear list...

On a brilliantly sunny day with low winds and gentle swells, five of us (Gene, Sid, Leon, new member Brian Sharp, and me) launched from Tucks Point and headed around Baker Isl. for the Dry Breakers, hoping to spy on some seals. As we approached the rocks, it first seemed we were to be disappointed, as there were no seals hauled out -- but then surprise! Within 10-15 yards of us black heads started popping out, taking a good look at us, and then vanishing, to reappear a few moments later. (See middle photo.) They did not seemed troubled, just curious (a relief, as none of us wanted to disturb the wildlife), and we enjoyed their company for fifteen minutes or so, before heading on our way -- a straight shot over to Singing Beach for lunch with a few picnickers and dog walkers (v. different from the summer crowds). Brian and I needed to head back home before 3:30pm, so the guys graciously accompanied us back to the entrance to Tucks, and then did some more paddling (towards Misery I think). Thanks guys, it made a very memorable outing for me, I can't wait to get back!

That sounds great, I'm coming up! See you there.

Hey guys, I'm very interested in joining you tomorrow, any idea of itinerary and timeframe, or will that be decided on the beach? Just wondering. There is a small chance that work will rear its ugly head tomorrow, so don't wait for me if I'm not there by 11am (I'd try to e-mail too).

Hi Ern, I also enjoyed your report -- your encounter in particular; goes to show that you never know what you'll experience once you choose to step outside your door... You may already know of it, but Studs Terkel compiled a book of war vet's experiences ("The Good War"), and of course PBS had the incredible documentary series last year. That generation was not one to open up about those experiences; I remember being 10 years old, riding in the back of our car with my mom and her gentlemen friend who I'd considered rather boring, when he astonished me by telling stories about dive-bombing Japanese ships in the Pacific! -- S.

Hey Ern, did you guys go, and how was it? Sorry I couldn't join you today, it sounded like you had a good plan given the conditions. Hopefully next time! -- Scott

Ern, I hope you got out yesterday, today looks too difficult. I did get out yesterday on another section of the Charles, but even there it was pretty windy at times. Let's hope for better conditions another day -- and watch those tides!

All I can add are my photos, and a hope that our experience with the low tide/sandbars will be another example of one-time learning. Nevertheless it was a fine day to try out my Susquehanna on the ocean (with full wetsuit, etc.), and Ernie was a great paddling partner, thanks Ern!

Ouch! It hurts to even look at that. Was it an encounter with a vengeful giant squid?

Your question is generating a lot of ideas -- one more, at least if we have another good snowy winter, is XC skiing. I got into paddling in large part due to recommendations from competitive XC skiers that it is good cross-training, so it would make sense that the cross-training effects would work in reverse as well. I have no doubt that paddling is going to enable me to carry over much more core/upper body strength and endurance into the ski season than usual, but given that this was my first season of paddling, will have to wait and see if it again carries over into the spring. I also agree with those advocating swimming, it also really works the core and upper body, even if the movements differ from paddling (arguably a good thing to round out the musculature and avoid over-use/over-development). Personally, I find the post-swim "endorphin glow" the best of any sport, which keeps me getting up to get to the pool these dark Saturday mornings! One way to make it more interesting is to join a masters' swimming class, being in a group and doing structured workouts instead of endless laps makes it much more enjoyable and probably gives better results. I think almost any pool will have such a group, so ask around. Good luck with your program, let us know what you end up doing.