prudenceb

I had hoped that Rob would post this as the "First Annual NSPN Easter Plunge," but maybe we can get him to change the heading for next year! It was a really wonderful day, and all of us are very happy that Rob organized it. The Weather Gods cooperated. With 40 degree water, we appreciated that there was milky sun and no wind. I for one had never dumped out in water that cold (it sure made the fall Cold Water Workshop seem like bathing suit conditions by comparison!), and was pretty apprehensive about it. But with the encouragement of NSPN's Rescue King, Bob Levine (motto: "Never waste an opportunity to get wet.") I went over, rolled back up, then went over again and came out to let him rescue me. I came away with a confidence that I could handle cold water that I'd never had before. I strongly encourage anyone with similar apprehension to sign up for one of the upcoming immersion sessions. And please note the rabbit ears in the photo above! (if you can't tell who the Easter Bunny is under all that gear, here's a hint: it's my camping buddy...) pru

Bummer! I had firm instructions from Cathy to get a photo of Rob in her Pink Paddler dry suit! I thought it would have gone nicely with the Easter colors theme! pru

Hi Les, I've done a lot of paddling around the area, and actually will be renting a house on MDI the first week of August. I'd be happy to join up for a partial day paddle if that works for your circumnav schedule. I don't know about where to leave a car for four days - although I suppose if you were starting after I arrive (on August 3) and off the water before I leave - the following Saturday - you could probably leave your car at the house I'm renting (just outside of Somesville, on the road to Bass Harbor, on the"quiet side" of MDI). Just a thought. pru

Thanks, Phil - how do you have the straps attached to the fence - or do you just have them looped over a picket so they're not actually attached? pru

Thanks everyone for the suggestions. My one concern about just securing the boat with straps attached to something attached to the fence is in regards to how difficult it could be to lift the boat up and slide it into the straps. And how do you secure the straps to the fence or posts? Phil - do you just rest one end of the boat on the ground while you lift the other up to secure and then lift the other end? Not getting any younger here, and I want whatever the arrangement is to maximize ease of securing the boat. pru

I have moved from my old house, where I had a garage and was able to lower and raise the kayak from the roof of my car (the BEST system ever) with a pully system to hang from the garage ceiling, to a new house with no garage, no other indoor storage space, and a tight outside storage area that would likely be on a fence. My house has a stockade fence, and I'm thinking I'd like to be able to store the kayak on something connected to the fence. The pickets themselves are not strong, but there are posts of course. Has anyone either built a storage rack attached to a fence, or bought a commercial one that attached to a fence? Any advice on the best (and easiest! - I'm no carpenter/tools person like many of you...) way to do this? Does it make sense to store kayak upside down on a rack (which takes up more width in my very narrow area) or sideways, in a kind of J rack - or does it matter? pru

I am opting out of this saturday's haverhill session because the water is just too warm in the pool... Instead, I'll be joining the gang of Easter fools the next day doing cold water immersion practice in Rockport. My spot is open to whoever would like it. Happy spring! pru

For whatever it's worth, my vote would be somewhere not too far north, and to do it on the earlier (before noon) side than later (even though it will be warmer later in the day). Latest forecast for Sunday is for sun and temp getting into 50's. I have easter plans later, so could only make it if it were on earlier side. pru

I could do the 31st - a fine way to spend Easter - as long as there isn't a blizzard or pouring rain or howling wind or something else to turn a cold water immersion experiment into just a totally unpleasant way to spend the day! So...if it's sunny and not windy, I'm in! pru ps - sounds like we wouldn't necessarily need to bring out boats....

I'm no physicist either, but I think the reason for a bow tie down is so that air that could create lift, and start pulling up on the bow, and from there to the rack and etc and off you go, launching that 17 foot projectile backwards - isn't able to get that lift if the bow is secured. It doesn't have to be tight-tight, just enough to keep it from wanting to launch upwards, as your hand does when you stick it out the window. pru I get nervous whenever I see anyone without a bow tiedown (Warren!). Plus it's good for rescues and all that...

Hope to be there - pru

Stories: some of you may have noticed that I tend to be long-winded. Give me a keyboard and a chance to write, and I just find it hard to stop. So it's difficult to come up with individual anecdotes of special times on the water. I guess I'd have to say that every long trip report I've written has been my story of where I find the special joy in camping. Let's just say that sun, clouds, waves, wind, fog, rocks, seaweed, friends, animals, birds, food and a nice glass of wine pretty much sum it up for me. pru

I am pleased at the civilized - and I think constructive - tone of responses to Rob's terrific post. It also was good to hear from the Lady on the Couch (what were you reading??) for her perspective on his adventure. I think Cathy's idea about trying a "distance" swim in truly cold water with help nearby is a good one. Scott Camlin always has people in his group do that at the November Cold Water Workshop, and I've twice enjoyed the experience of towing my boat to shore as I lay back in the water, gazing up into the sky (once seeing a biplane doing loop-de-loops) and swimming the distance that he had us cover. Of course, "cold water" in November is really warm compared to now. Maybe something to try if there's a relatively early CAM session this year. pru

Rob - no need to apologize for nuthin'! -- and I don't think you're coming across as defensive, accusatory, dismissive or anything else. You are responding appropriately to concerns that have been raised. And with the concern is also, as voiced by both Doug and me (and others I'm sure), respect for your skills and levelheadedness and clear thinking. That's really great stuff. But we just want everyone to be safe out there - which you do, too! pru

Doug, I appreciate the straightforwardness of your comments. Your feedback carries weight because of your experience. When I read about someone taking risks in bad conditions (solo, in winter), I hesitate to say right out that I don't think they should have been out there - because I wonder if I'm only pinning my more cautious approach on someone who doesn't need to be as cautious as I know I always will be. So, I'll say it now: Rob, I wish you hadn't been out there alone! pru

Impressive report, Rob, and impressive day on the water. I'm glad you made it back safely, but still I worry. I wondered, gee, what if I had decided to join Rob on his trip. There would have been two of us; that's good. But I'm not nearly as strong as you are, and as you described your fight into the wind, I know that I would have had trouble doing that. If your speed was one kt/hr, mine would have been minus 1 kt/hr! Which would have put us in either a tow or stop scenario. The tow might well have ground you to a halt. Were there adequate places along the shore to bail out? Or perhaps with a weaker paddler with you, your entire decision-making might have been different, although it sounds as though conditions deteriorated/changed from what was expected as the day went on. I'm glad I was tucked in at my nice warm house last Sunday - but glad also for you that you had your successful adventure. But please, be careful out there! pru

Pancho, Consider signing up for the New to Sea Kayak workshop (Sat April 20 - details on this board). Even if you have skills, there will be stuff about equipment etc - and it will be a chance to meet a bunch of club members all at once! pru

Thank heavens! I can use all the help I can get in this department! pru

Dear Not a Morning Person, One of the (many) joys of kayak camping is being in wonderful new places that most people (other than fellow kayakers) never get a chance to see. Early morning is one of the most spectacular times on an island. Many of us have had the experience of sitting on a rock by the water not long after the sun has come up. The light is beautiful and the sea often flat calm. You might hear and then see a seal pop his/her head up or a fish flying out of the water and landing back in. It is an unbelievably special experience. So on a purely aesthetic level - forget for the time being the winds and tides and the next destination and need to be back on the water that Warren just addressed - being up early is a GIFT given to you by whoever created the beauty all around. So get a good alarm clock, haul yourself out of your sleeping bag, don't bother to comb your hair, let people know (with a gentle growl or warning glance) that you are NOT a morning person, and find yourself a nice place to sit by yourself to experience this new world. You just might find that you're actually looking forward to being up and about early the next time! pru

I ended up registering since some have/some haven't - two spots left, so it will be a full house, which is great! pru

Fabulous! I was thinking of you all as (very little) snow was falling (for a very short time) in my neck of the woods. Sounds like a very special day. pru

I'm in, Warren! Let's talk about schedule to be prepared for the meeting in March. pru

Make sure that you include some of the interior shots that we so enjoyed the last time! pru

I can't make the pool session today, Saturday (2/2). Would be glad to let anyone else show up in my absence. Probably you should let Doug know, so that eight people don't show up as me! pru

...and staying "true to my namesake" as Ed L puts it, I sure am enjoying reading this chilly thread from the comfort of my cozy house, reassured that since I only have a 3 season tent and a 2 1/2 season sleeping bag, I'm safe from everything that's being discussed! Enjoy yourselves, boys! pru ps - Warren, what are you waiting for?? Get out there and sleep! You've already let the best week of winter pass you by!