prudenceb

Wish I could have been there to help out! I'm glad to see from Lisa's photos that there was at least room for a few people and kayaks what with the massive quantity of camping gear that Warren no doubt had on display! pru

Let the Camping Season Begin! Three Days in Mid Casco Bay April 25-27, 2014 The groups that have accompanied Warren as part of the Alaska 2014 Expedition Support Team/NSPN Division have been described on previous trips as intrepid and adventurous. What to call the four of us who spent this past weekend making loop-de-loops around islands in Mid-Casco Bay? Really, Really Happy Campers! This despite being outside for three days in this spring of 2014 that keeps wanting to be winter - that devolved into rain and wind and temperatures in the 30s and 40s. Things began on a more promising note - that we knew wouldn't last - on Friday when Andy, Jeff, Warren and I gathered at South Winslow Park under sunny skies with minimal winds, all of us at least a half hour before the planned 9 am gathering time. Indeed Andy, who had never camped at all, let alone kayak camped, was already boat-loaded and ready to go when the rest of us arrived. Warren is going to have to get up an hour earlier if he wants to beat Andy to the put-in! Thus, we launched forty-five minutes before we'd planned to. As has been the case on previous paddles, we dodged a weather bullet: small craft warnings and gales had been present earlier in the week, and only calmed down on Thursday night. We knew, however, that some showers were in the forecast, although winds were predicted to be around seven knots. Ah, the best laid forecasts...Rain not showers, and wind not breezes Friday had us doing a leisurely paddle out past Little Mosier and Mosier Islands. It was still winter out there, the trees completely bare and thereby revealing some of the high priced and unoccupied real estate tucked into the trees. The feeling that would stay with us all weekend began then: a peaceful sense of contentment that this whole world was ours but for the wildlife that is the true owner of this very special environment. Making the crossing past Upper Green Island and then on to our first destination at Little Whaleboat Island, we didn't have to keep an eye out for boat traffic, because there was none. OK, we kept an eye out because that's what we're supposed to do, but there was no need. We approached Little Whaleboat from the south, and headed up through the lovely lagoon that can only be traversed when the tide is up. One of the resident ospreys was in the nest on the smallest of the islands that make up Little Whaleboat. We let him or her be, and landed at Little Whaleboat. I sat on the beach and listened to the song of a bird nearby, and the grunting of seals on a rocky ledge north of the island. I could see and hear the splashes they made when some jumped clear out of the water and flopped back in. From Little Whaleboat, under increasingly overcast skies and rising wind from the southeast, we crossed to Whaleboat, where we planned to lunch on "Warren's campsite" on the highest part of the mid-island meadow, looking west to the mainland. On the outside of Whaleboat, the water was bumpy, and we immediately saw that Andy was drawn to the rocky shoreline, enjoying negotiating twists and turns in the water reflecting off the rocks. It was a bit of a slog into the wind, but manageable. When we reached our destination, we landed and climbed up to "Warren's campsite" and had lunch. Jeff pointed out that in the far distance to the west, snow-covered mountains were visible. After lunch, we continued the clockwise circumnav of Whaleboat, bumping along the coastline, rounding the southern tip where the water was most confused, then surfing around the corner with the wind at our backs as we headed northward along the island. It felt as though all one had to do was raise one's paddle overhead and we would be pushed along as if sailing. Andy powered ahead to catch as many wave rides as he could. The sky was filled with a confusion of jet contrails. But X did mark the spot. Because it was still early, and we all felt fresh, we decided to continue on to the Goslings. But for seals, eider ducks, loons in their winter plumage, seagulls and other water birds, the world continued to be ours alone, and the winds continued to push us onward. We stopped briefly at the LL Bean beach on East Gosling, circled around the island, and paused to decide where to go next before finally heading for our final destination at one of Warren's and my favorite campsites in mid Casco Bay, where we would spend the next two nights. Because this was an Alaska 2014 Support Team/NSPN Division trip, we watched Warren testing out some of his gear, most notably a nice big tarp that he strung up in a stand of trees. While it was not yet raining, showers were forecast, and we figured that it would come in handy. We had Happy Hour on the beach and chatted about hospitals, hurricanes, books and our incredible environment. Then it was suppertime, where Warren pulled out some of the delectable dinner treats he may eat in Alaska. They still make this stuff?! It looked like dogfood. Warren will have to tell you what it tasted like! The temperature was dropping, the sky darkening, and although we were out of the wind on our north-facing beach, it was soon time for bed. The next morning, Warren was up at his usual absurdly early hour to enjoy his Maxwell House Moment, and in so doing saw the only sun that we would see again on the trip. It poked its red head over the land - or so he said and had departed by the time the rest of us were up. It was raw, cool and breezy. We each added an extra layer under our drysuits. Warren threw on his storm cag as well because he'd never paddled in it, and off we went for a day of looping around islands. The southeast wind pushed us along. I looked over at Jeff and saw that seals were following him, popping their heads up not far from his stern. Curious? Anxious? Irritated? And then I saw that they we were all being followed. They were all around us, now you see them, now you don't. We paddled along the eastern shores of Lower and Upper Goose Islands. Andy bounced happily along near the rocks. At some point it started raining. On this spring/winter day, the world a muted palette of grays and gray-greens and blacks, the shoreline we were passing almost free of houses, and those that were there still closed tight for the winter, docks pulled out of the water... on this day, at this time, it was hard to contain the feeling of awe and specialness for being out in such an incredibly beautiful place, cold and rainy as it was, all by ourselves in our slim and seaworthy boats. It really doesn't get any better than this!' We rounded the northern tip of Upper Goose and headed back down the western shore a bit until we could make a right turn for Williams Island, where Warren wanted to check out the eagle's nest there. While the nest, larger than I remembered (Andy, who is not a short person, commented that it would be big enough for him to sleep in), was empty, we figured it was still early in the season and too cold to start a family. I worried that Warren's trip would be ruined by the absence of an eagle sighting. But Warren kept his eagle eye out, and spotted one perched in a dead tree right above us. As we stared up at him, he paid us no heed. An eagle really is the the lord of all he surveys. My hands and feet were getting very cold, and I knew that the only thing that would warm them would be a hot drink. Public options for stopping were nonexistent, but after surveying for signs of human life, and seeing only houses with windows boarded up, we pulled into a little cove that we would not otherwise have stopped at because hot sustenance really was a necessity at this point. Once again I found that hot lemonade warms hands and feet. The rain continued. Three of us huddled in our cags - and Jeff later regretted not doing so - and ate lunch. The wind had dropped somewhat as the rain intermittently increased. We crossed back over to the Gooses, paddling in the lee of the land before stopping on West Gosling for a stretch break. Then southward for a circumnav of the little islands that make up Little Whaleboat. By the time we had finished this, the wind had almost completely died. When we got back to camp, we got into dry clothes and sat on the beach. I found a rock to sit on that with my Crazy Creek chair was just about as comfortable as a Barcalounger. It was quite still for a time, slack tide in the weather department, as the wind paused before deciding to swing around from the north, where it blew right onto our formerly sheltered beach. While the boys retired to their tents for a nap, or in Warren's case puttered about camp thinking about his gear and Alaska, I sat on my Baracalounger rock on the beach in the rain. Five layers of clothing under my storm cag had me warm enough, and a few sips of cognac didn't hurt either. I watched a pair of eiders - the male in his spiffy black and white plumage and his drab little brown wife - go back and forth. I wondered at their relationship, why she kept diving while he just hovered nearby, whether they mate for life. The rain came down and made satisfying pattering sounds on the brim of my hat. The ducks bobbed, appearing and disappearing, on the little waves. We cooked supper in the drizzle. Headed to our tents by 7:30. I managed to read about four pages of a book before surrendering to the pure pleasure of being snuggled in a sleeping bag and listening to the rain and wind as I lay warm and dry in my portable little house. On Sunday morning, it was time to pack up and go. It rained and drizzled and stopped and then drizzled some more. We packed up. It was cold stuffing the wet tent and fly into a drybag. Cold putting on gloves still damp from yesterday. Cold putting on soaking wet booties. But we warmed up, and layered up, and left camp almost an hour before we'd planned to. As always, we were in concert as to where we should go next. Warren and I had had the pleasure of seeing the HOUSE off of Bustins Island that is marked on the chart and decided that would be nice to show to Andy and Jeff, who had never been there, so Bustins was our destination. The rain more or less stopped. At some point as we neared Bustins, there was almost sun behind the clouds. The HOUSE was still boarded up for the winter, but I remembered how pleasant and inviting this octagonal residence was the last time I saw it, on a Fourth of July weekend, windows open all around, curtains fluttering in the breeze, chairs set out on the encircling deck. I proposed that because it was still early, we add a half hour to our return by continuing around Bustins. I told Andy and Jeff about the incredible rope swing tied to a tree limb over the water on the northeast side of the island. I wondered if it was taken down in winter. But it was there, a sign posted Property of Bustins Island. Use at Your Own Risk. Another sign said, Use only at high tide. I joked to Andy, I'll give you a dollar if you use it! Then paused. No, l'll give you five! Even before I had finished saying the latter, Andy was headed for the rock below the swing. You aren't?! You ARE??!! The man walks on water! That was so much fun, I have to do it again, said Andy. And so he did. This time with a more confident and resounding splashing technique. (I am an honorable woman, and made good on my bet when we returned to shore. It didn't even bother me that Andy said that he would have paid me for the privilege.) The rest of us were, and continue to be, in awe of him. If nothing else had gone right on this trip, Andy's trip back into childhood would have made the weekend for all of us. But of course much else did go right. Warren tested his gear and pronounced it excellent. Although I rather thought that we had stumbled on the Blair Witch Project under his tarp... I spent two of the most comfortable nights I've ever spent in a tent because I drank the Synmat Exped Koolaid and spent the small fortune on what has to be the best mattress out there! (Thank you, Janice, for inspiring the impulse purchase before the last BOD meeting!) Plus, I found an excellent rock for my collection, a perfect image of the rounded mountains above the sea on Mount Desert Island, another destination for this summer. Andy figured out how to kayak camp, what worked and what didn't. And I believe found it all much to his liking! And Jeff, well Jeff, despite a wonky shoulder, was the picture of good cheer and high spirits throughout. The sun did actually come out before we landed back at South Winslow Park, but that didn't last long. It didn't matter. A really spectacular weekend, another where not much happened except for Andy's Amazing Rope Swing Adventure, but where having the dark winter islands, the low sky, the wind, the rain, the cold, the cry of one loon, the eiders, one bald eagle on one dead tree, and more seals than I've ever seen on one Saturday morning...having all this to ourselves was Really Really Something. Happy Campers indeed! And as a committed member of the Alaska 2014 Expedition Support Team/NSPN Division, I am particularly heartened that Warren has come up with the definitive Mary Poppins Portable Personal Shelter and Bear Deterrent Device (MPPPSBDD). I worry about him no longer. I mean, if having to choose between him and him who would you put your money on?! pru

Wow! excellent, Lisa! pru

Just wanted to let potentially interested folks know that Ed and I have decided to postpone the NTSKC trip to Muscongus Bay in June. A few people who expressed interest couldn't make it then, and the trip didn't really fit the bill for others who had already had the experience. We hope that if there are more people who might be interested later in the summer might work better. The water will also be warmer! So if you are interested, and would truly be New to Sea Kayak Camping, post or PM and we will keep track of interest. Pru and Ed

2nd Annual NSPN Easter Bunny Plunge, Sunday April 20, 2014 First: a disclaimer. Easter Bunny Plunge became somewhat of a misnomer when 91% of the group dipped a figurative toe into the 38 degree water, felt the steady breeze on the face, and figured quite sensibly that there was no reason whatsoever to ruin a lovely Easter Sunday bright, brisk and clear by voluntarily immersing into the numbing waters off of West Beach in Beverly. As each of us arrived at the parking lot, we were greeted by Trip Initiator and Head Bunny, Cathy Folster, who bestowed rabbit ears and Easter Eggs on all who didnt arrive with their own. Which would be everyone except, ahem, the undersigned, who had such well secured ears that she was able to paddle with them all day long! We milled about enjoying our ears. Initiator bunny: Sad bunny: Biker bunny: Buddy bunnies: Pink and green bunnies: Married bunnies: Sand bunny: Whole group of bunnies: Cathy conducted a beach briefing. We all managed to remain serious. And so finally a group of ten weenies and one hardy soul (more on that later) launched at low tide from a beach dotted with people out enjoying one of the rare mornings of late that have actually felt like spring. We launched through wavelets that had gone from six inches when we arrived at the put-in to perhaps a foot or two by the time we launched. Enough so that I got a lap, chest and faceful of the "refreshing" water as a wave broke right as I went through it. Then two designated pods, which within about four strokes of shore became one rambly pod, paddled southeast toward Great Misery Island. When we rounded the eastern edge, we lost whatever protection wed had and the wind, waves and reflecting clapotis (a redundancy that had Peter initiating a discussion but no limericks about redundant phrases some time on) off the island gave us a bit of a bumpy ride as we headed toward Little Misery Island, where Cathy had suggested a first stop to adjust gear and clothing as needed. Aside from the brisk current running between Great and Little, the channel was calm. We landed and gathered up to consider the next leg of our journey. Cathy had mapped out an ambitious agenda that had us hitting or landing at six islands on our way to a lunch break at Childrens before wed head back for home and many of the bunnies planned Easter dinners with friends and loved ones. The confusion of the water on the way to Little Misery had us reconsidering, given the size and varying skill levels of the group. A pow wow ensued. We were observed. A clear plan, to scrap heading further southward toward the exposed islands, and instead to point for Coney Island, remained clear for about three minutes, at which point there was some group confusion about where the heck is Coney Island? We stopped to do some chart and compass work for practice. It didnt really matter where the heck Coney Island was, because it was totally clear, we were the only boats out on the water, and there were about a million recognizable landmarks along the shore. But a trip calls for exercise of different kinds, and we all rafted up and came up with a heading of 240. Which ended up not taking into account a strong current that pulled us westward. At this point, the trip went from being a Common Adventure Model trip to what Cathy later christened as a Common AimLess Model trip (CALM for short), as we all pointed hither and yon to where? Where we goin'? What's the plan? There was other exercise as well. Cathy wanted to try doing a longer tow than shed ever tried, so she hauled Robert for some distance before deciding to unhook and catch up with the group. It was an excellent day to have destination confusion because the conditions in Salem Sound were much calmer than those outside of Misery, and there were no hazards anywhere in sight. The CALM model (redundancy!!) ultimately had us pointing toward Salem Willows, where we ended up stopping for lunch. Peter guided us all safely through the surf at the beach. The Easter Bunny was good to us there, too. Although we belatedly realized we'd have had no problem getting to Childrens, we were happy for a break in the sun where we were. The return route was more simple. Cross over the channel to the shoreline, turn right and keep on going until we got back to where we'd started. For some miraculous reason, the wandering and diffuse group of the morning became a more coherent pod in the afternoon. We cruised along near the shore, not far from the walkers on various sandy beaches (some of which bristled with NO TRESPASSING signs) that we passed. Dogs, high priced real estate, and the unexpected call of a loon. Paddling over the green water over the sandy bottom next to shore made the water seem warmer, friendlier. A momentary temptation on my part to get wet. Temptation resisted. As we reached the last leg, with West Beach in sight, over went our one Hardy Bunny, Rob!...and several of us converged toward him rapidly. Jeff pounced on the prospect of practicing a rescue, which he and Rob accomplished with surety and speed. Rob pronounced the water "not too bad," but even that ringing endorsement didn't entice anyone else in. And while some of us would have been happy to paddle longer, it was just past our scheduled finish time, and so avoiding somewhat larger waves, we paddled to the north end of the beach, where the waves were damped by a chopped salad seaweed through which we slogged for the last little bit, our boats and legs ending up covered with gunk. And while there had been more disorganization on this CAM, CALM, Chocolate Adventure Model trip than had been planned, 100% of us returned to shore, more or less together. Many many thanks to Cathy for LOTS of pre-trip planning and organizing, and for keeping us thinking about CAM principles through the day. Thanks to Joyce, Robert, Mike, Peter, Jeff, Beth, Jackie, Warren and Sue for being such excellent companions on the paddle. There were no bad bunnies on this trip! pru

Two Days in the Wilderness April 12-13, 2014 A motley mob of 17, all but three of us being NSPNers, set out on Saturday for two days of wilderness medical disasters and challenges. All returned in one piece - not a given considering the challenges we would ending up facing in the wild backcountry and waters of Northern Massachusetts. Anyone who has never been there would be astonished at how much trouble one can stumble into, and how limited the resources and available help can be, when you don’t even leave Suzanne Hutchinson’s backyard and driveway. We all found out! And after a successful day last weekend paddling around about six different islands from Connecticut to Maine, overcoming environmental challenges of currents, winds, shifting sandbars and so on at the NE Aquarium CAM session, I for one was astonished at how much trouble a group of NSPN members could get into in a short amount of time this past weekend. Head injuries, broken limbs, hypothermia, airway obstructions, lacerations…and that’s even before there was a mass episode of altered level of consciousness to which those of us who remained had to respond. Many thanks to our able leader Sean, a seasoned first responder, EMT, and self-described “rescue geek,” whose full time job as a middle school science teacher made him uniquely qualified to herd this boisterous group of cats through two days of SOLO Wilderness First Aid training. Most of us had been through WFA before, but as with the CAM classroom and on-water sessions, it was impressive to see how much more can be learned by going through it over and over again. Among the many, many impressive events of the weekend: Proving that seven women can lift and move one injured Jason if we work together as a team. (But thank heavens we weren’t having to transport him over wet and seaweed covered rocks. I wouldn’t guarantee the results under those circumstances.) Watching the gears turning in Peter’s head as he composed limericks on the spot on various first aid themes. Piloerection, anyone? Celebrating with Lorrie a Significant Number birthday (39, right Lorrie?) on Sunday. Seeing and learning how much we can do to respond to an injured individual out in the backcountry or backwater using stuff that we already routinely have with us on a trip. And there was at least one very simple and easily implemented lesson that is relevant to a typical NSPN crowd, where many of us are not getting any younger (well, except possibly for Lorrie…): ALWAYS CARRY ASPIRIN in an easily accessible place. Not acetaminophen, not ibuprofen (although it’s fine to use those for pain management), but ASPIRIN. To immediately feed (make ‘em chew it) to anyone suspected of having a heart attack. Special thanks to all of my fellow dinoflagellates, as well as the other teams of dolphins, seals and penguins for a great weekend of learning. And to Suz for providing the comfortable venue, and organizing three warming and healthy meals, with the help of a small army of female kitchen elves (of which I was rarely one, despite this photo). And to Warren for the photos in this trip report. One regret, however. Time ran out before Warren could get the definitive lesson in backcountry first aid for the victim of a bear mauling. He will just have to put together whatever he learned this weekend about treating lacerations, contusions, punctures, infections, broken limbs, and fear-induced heart attacks and strokes into one seamless wilderness first aid knowledge potion, and apply liberally to the patient. Good luck with that, Warren! pru and why all these photos (except Mr. GB above) attached sideways, I have absolutely no idea! Just rotate your head to see them better!

Welcome! Hope to meet you on the water, or on an island camping, sometime! pru

I don't know why this thread keeps going back to bear bear bears, when we'd FINALLY gotten to the all important topic of hair care products on kayaking trips... pru

Sorry about the conflict. See you on the water some other time! pru

Plus your hair will look good....always a challenge when one is out paddling... pru

We're starting a new thread because we've nailed down the date for the 2014 NSPN New to Sea Kayak Camping trip to Muscongus Bay. While we had hoped to offer two trips this spring, it has been so cold and wretched that we're delaying until June, when we hope both the air and water will be warmer. This will be an L3 trip run under the CAM model, open to members paddlers with little to no kayak camping experience. Participants will provide their own camping gear. Details about the trip - launch site and time as well as lots of info about getting prepared for LNT camping on a Maine island - will be forthcoming once we know who will be coming. We have had a good response to our first posting. We will be limiting the trip to four participants in addition to the two co-initiators. If the posted wknd works for you, please post here or PM Pru. Pru and Ed

What a day! Bright sunshine, warm temperatures and calm breezes! Scott, Suz, Rick and Peter ably oversaw a CAMable group of paddlers on a series of adventures. Cathy, Jeff, Liz, Jonathan, Mike, Rob and Kathy flawlessly planned trips that had us circumnavigating Fishers, Naushon, Monomoy and Little Cranberry Islands as well as Vinalhaven and North Haven, sampling gourmet chocolate in a small island village, and enjoying the beautiful Massachusetts coastline south of Greasy Pole. Trip initiators planned things so that we only paddled with the current to help us along; successfully navigated the treacherous waters at both ends of Fishers Island; outfoxed the crazy currents around Woods Hole; ensured that we wouldn't get stranded on a sandbar off of Cape Cod; confidently navigated the confusion of islands in the Stonington Archipelago and got us safely to the candy store on Isle au Haut; stayed upright in the gnarly waters between Baker and Little Cranberry Islands; and didn't get run over by any fast-moving mega ship while making a six mile crossing on a major shipping channel. PLUS comprehensive beach briefings that left nothing predictable to chance; group dynamics that were always easy; and responses to any incidents that did arise that were invariably characterized by clarity, tact and aplomb. And all this from our comfortable our seats in a conference room at the NE Aquarium overlooking all the whale watch boats coming and going throughout the day. Special thanks to Peter for the amazing venue, Cathy for the excellent datenut bread, all the presenters named above for all the knowledge they imparted, the crew of trip initiators, and all the rest of us for just being there. And for the day to end with an opportunity to stroke a swimming ray (they're kinda slimy in a nice way) and to view the impressive giant rebuilt fish and turtle environment that Peter had such a major hand in bringing to fruition...well, a day doesn't get much better than that. One of the best CAM training sessions ever. Thanks to all! pru

A Ramble off of Sebascodegan Island March 29, 2014 On Saturday morning, five intrepid paddlers, members of the Alaska 2014 Expedition Support Team/NSPN Division, met up with Warren and David M at the Bethel Point Launch Site for an early spring ramble around the waters off southern Sebascodegan Island. While the stated purpose of the paddle was to give Warren and David a chance to test out some of their new gear in conditions that might mimic what they will experience in Alaska this summer, others of us used the opportunity to test out some new gear of our own, to shake some of the winter rust off of our boats and bodies, and most importantly, to have a good time out on the water. Cathy, Liz, Dave M, Jeff and I joined our brave (if you dont know to what Im referring, please read threads on other forums about wildlife they will be contending with come July) expeditioners at 8:30 in the morning. When Warren calls for a 9 am arrival for a 10 am launch, we all know by now that by 9 am he would have already been there for an hour and would be completely ready to go, so most of us were there early, too, and we ended up launching at a little after 9:30. Not before Cathy decided to do the first gear test and discovered that lolling about in the 38 degree water wearing only one layer under her drysuit while the photographer fumbled with her equipment to memorialize her insanity was an excellent recipe for starting out the trip feeling chilly. In this endless winter of our discontent, when the arrival of spring has meant just about nothing, the Weather Gods did at least offer us a grudging wan smile, if not an openly sunny grin. Some of us were pretty darn happy to be back out on the water after a long landlocked winter. The sky was milky blue when we set out, and a northish wind at around 10 knots pushed us merrily on our way down Quahog Bay to our first stopping point, a small MITA island whose campsite Dave, Warren and I had been unable to investigate when we did a Sebascodegan Island circumnav last year as it was already filled to the brim with adults, children, and a large and lively dog. In winter, the island certainly looked different, with patches of snow and bare trees. But what really made it different was the tide. We'd seen it before at low tide, and never got as far as the shoreline onto which we we pulled up our boats this time. Warren went off to investigate, returning to say that the campsite was somewhat disappointing. Cathy took the opportunity to put the extra layer on that she wished shed been wearing from the beginning, and proclaimed herself fit to continue. We then headed north, into the wind and small waves, up Quahog Bay, toward our next destination and proposed lunching spot on Little Snow Island. We crossed back over to Sebascodegan Island, and then hugged the shoreline as we continued north. When we were opposite Pole Island, we stopped to chat and look at what was to be seen, and so that Warren could work on some leadership skills. As David and Dave are planning to do John Carmodys 4*/guide training course in May, they all took a hand at trying to herd this particular clowder (look it up!) of cats. Good luck to them. A strong-minded bunch, everyone had his or her own idea of where we should go. Somehow, likely through a miracle of past CAM training, we managed to pull our collective acts together, and continued on in our original direction as one unified group. We finally made a right hand turn along the shore, and saw Little Crow in the near distance, looking in the light that still said winter, a paler version of itself than we had camped on last fall. Warren recalled how little protection from a fierce wind the island had offered when he and Rob stopped there in an off-season trip last year. As cute as it is, Little Snow may be the Island of Rarely Good Weather; it had been rainy, with thunder and lightning, when I was there before. But on this winter-spring, or spring-winter, day, although there was little shelter from the wind, it was entirely manageable because of the sun and temperatures moderating up toward 40 degrees. Most of us donned our storm gags, and we all stood or sat around sipping soup and hot lemonade and tea, and eating energy bars. At one point, we looked up in time to see an eagle soaring not far overhead. Warren's day was made! (Never mind if someone got hypothermic, or if we only returned with 85% of the group we started out with. One eagle = Successful Trip.) It was gone before we could extract cameras from PFD pockets under our cags We explored the little island, mostly in search of appropriate sanitary facilities, and got ready to launch again. The day was still young. We circumnavigated the island, passing some one-legged Canada geese (that look ever so much more appropriate on a Maine island in March than on a city golf course all year round), and a dripping ice shelf. A few small icebergs were still floating in the little bay, but it was nothing like an earlier trip that the Alaska 2014 Expedition Support Team/NSPN Division made when winter was still in full force. I had had to sit that one out, and how I had envied the icebergs and wildlife they saw. I was happy to settle for what winter still had to offer on this day We had looked forward to being pushed back southward by the wind, but soon discovered that it had diminished, and we paddled on mostly calm seas back toward the launch site. Our original plan had been to call it a day at that point. But it was only 1:30; the weather was holding although horizontal lines of clouds had begun to blot out the blue sky. And then it was windless. The surface of the water had an almost oily stillness. We decided to keep going to go around George and Big Hen Islands, an area at the north of Ridley Cove that had not been on any of our other trips itineraries. On the chart, we also saw a notation for a sunken vessel north of Big Hen, and that was a definite Must Investigate. A rocky outcropping some distance away showed the profiles of seals. We got spread out on the flat water. David appeared to be practicing paddling backward. I worked on strokes off bow, middle and stern of the boat on both sides. We idled and chatted, wonderingly why Liz was so far behind. We waited. To find when she finally joined up with us again that she had just been stalked by a seal that had repeatedly surfaced not far behind her. She voiced laughing anxiety about the situation, but said she had gotten some good photos. I hope she'll post them! The sky was darkening. Rounding the north end of Big Hen Island, we saw the rusted sunken ship and approached. It provided some interesting views of our surroundings. It had been almost warm for a time. The sun had almost shone, or perhaps it actually had. But the magical period of utter stillness on the water had passed. The wind was coming up again, the sky darkening. People noted cooling of hands and feet. It was time to be done. We landed back at Bethel Point at around 2:30 on the increasingly less friendly March afternoon and loaded up to go home. Among others, the following pieces of new equipment were successfully tested: David M's SPOT system that will track the Alaska expedition for loved ones left behind. Nothing like being followed by a satellite: Dave M's beautiful new Pilgrim Expedition, which in its quill gray over white 50:50 layup was a classy looking beauty! How did no one get a photo of this?? Warren's new drysuit (because everyone needs two! In different colors!) and PFD (because everyone needs two!). And the most high tech equipment of all: two new body parts, four months and three weeks old, which performed much more admirably than their predecessors had for me! This was one of those days when very little happened, but everyone smiled for hour after hour. And why not? We managed to squeeze in a wonderful paddle on a day preceded by angry and alarming magenta and pink colorings - small craft advisories! gales! - on the NOAA marine forecast website, and to be followed by gale warnings and torrential rains for the next day. 100% of us returned. No one became hypothermic. When I got home, I was so happy to have been out at last - at last! - that all I could do was pray that this would prove to be a harbinger of a most excellent paddling season to come! pru

Perhaps you had just found yourself in the Bermuda Triangle, Exuma branch.....? Glad you discovered the way out! pru

We'll put you on the list! pru

"A drysuit is a big $ investment, and at this point I simply don't have the data to decide if it makes sense to buy one, or to rent one for specific trips." Yes, a dry suit suit is indeed a big money investment, but I think it is safe to say that most of us who have bought them have been very glad we did. It allows one to extend the paddling season by months, and you're always prepared even if someone posts a last minute trip. Among the nicest times of year for paddling in terms of fewer people, more animals etc are the seasons when most of us are wearing drysuits. pru

Hi Beth, We're keeping a list of interested folks, and will put you on it. Depending on response to posting, we'll firm things up as we get into April. pru

Al where are you going? 15 days, gotta be great! pru

The calendar tells us that tomorrow spring finally arrives. That means it's time to start thinking about kayak camping! This year, Ed Lawson and I are hoping to offer at least one New To Sea Kayak Camping trip for paddlers with L3ish skills. Last year, Warren (whose brainchild the NTSKC trips were) and I did three trips, which I think it is to safe to say were enjoyed by all. Warren is tied up this year planning how to stay one step ahead of the grizzlies as he plans his July Alaska adventure, so Ed has kindly offered to step in to initiate the trips with me. We are planning to offer a trip in either early May or early June, likely to Muscongus Bay, for paid NSPN members who would like to take the step from doing day to overnight trips, or for those whose camping skills are rusty. This is a preliminary post to gauge whether there's interest this year in such a trip. If you are interested, please post here, or PM me. Details will follow. pru and ed

Can't make the first class session but will plan for,the second, as well as the on water dates. I'd really encourage folks who haven't participated, or who haven't participated recently, to sign up. They are all fun and worthwhile sessions. pru

Following is an initial listing of proposed trips generated at the recent NSPN Trip Planning Meeting. Please note: 1) This is a tentative list only. No trip should be considered definite until it has been placed on the calendar and/or been posted by the initiator in the Trips Forum. 2) No doubt more trips will be added as the season progresses. We encourage everyone to post trips! But we hope that these will whet your appetite for the upcoming season. APRIL Sunday, April 20 – 2nd Annual Easter Bunny Plunge (Level TBA) – Cathy Folster MAY Friday, May 23 – Sunday, May 25 – Xth Annual Jewell Island Camping Trip (L3) - Gary York Saturday, May 31 – Ipswich River Paddle (L2) – Blaine Bjornstad JUNE Sunday, June 8 – Ladies Paddle (Level TBA) – Katherine Ryan Saturday, June 14 – Beverly/Salem Sound (L2) – Blaine Bjornstad Saturday, June 21 – Annual NSPN Solstice Paddle (L2, L2+, L3) Sunday, June 29 – Squam Lake Navigation Workshop Paddle (Level TBA) – Peter Brady JULY Friday, July 11- Sunday, July 13 – Roque Island Downeast Camping Trip (L3) - Peter Brady Saturday, July 26 – Manchester/Gloucester (L3) – Blaine Bjornstad AUGUST Saturday, August 2 – York River (L2) – Peter Brady Sunday, August 10 – Salem Sound (L2/3 transition paddle) – Bob Levine Saturday, August 23 – Post Swin and Fin paddle Salem Sound (L2) – Bob Levine Sunday, August 24 – Currents & Standing Wave Play (Level TBA) – Robert and Cathy Folster SEPTEMBER Friday, September 5 - Sunday, September 8 - Bar Harbor Downeast Retreat (Levels TBA) - Peter Brady Saturday, September 7 - Ipswich/Essex Bay (L2/3 Transition Paddle) - Nancy Priest Friday, September 19 - Sunday, September 21 - 3rd Annual Muscle Ridge Camping Trip - Gary York Sunday, September 28 - Annual NSPN Members General Meeting and Paddle pru

Once again, thank you, John, for putting together this training - even if at times my head spun in the way it did back in high school math classes! Enough of it did get through,however, that it will definitely be useful for future paddles! pru

If it's not cold enough we can just paddle in bathing suits. No problem making this an amusingly challenging plunge! pru

As some of you may know, the NSPN Board of Directors has been working to clarify some of the benefits of membership. This information is contained in more detail in the BOD’s Meeting Minutes, which are available to club members in the NSPN Business forum. We have reconsidered at least one of the changes on which we had received feedback from a number of members. At this time, the benefits of paid membership include: The ability to initiate and respond to posts on all the club’s message boards;The ability to initiate and participate in club trips via posting and responding on the Trips/Events message board;The opportunity to attend pool sessions and club workshops;The opportunity to participate in the NSPN Leadership Training Fund Program;Discounted MITA membership.Guests continue to be able to initiate and respond to posts on the General Message and Trip Reports forums as well as the Individual and Commercial forums, and to read postings on the Trips/NSPN events forum. It is our hope that frequent Guests will choose to become paid members – it’s only $15! - and help to support NSPN in our mission to help paddlers improve their skills and to introduce new paddlers to the joys of being out on the water. pru

That sounds like an excellent idea! pru