prudenceb

<...the strangest, most malevolent looking cloud I think I've ever seen. That long twisted pastry at the bottom was not like anything I've seen before, including on long summer trips driving across Iowa...>

Not so strange at all, Blaine: these roll clouds are quite common along the front edge of a cumulonimbus build-up or along the "chisel" edge of a cold front moving into hot and humid air. I have seen (and photographed) them often enough as they proceed (for example) up the (KwaZulu) Natal coast heralding a "southwester". They can bring huge turbulence if flying in their vicinity! As for storm systems, these roll clouds similarly spell "nasty"!

If you were to research tornadoes and really <watch> them, I bet you would see plenty of these. I find storms and all their attributes fascinating!

If you go to Google images and put in "roll clouds," there's a lot of cool pictures - but I like yours best, Blaine! pru

I also can't make it tonight, but hope you'll be there next week, Les, because I want to hear about your adventures up north with Tom Bergh et al! I heard from other sources it was a blast!

pru

Thanks so much for arranging, Pintail.

It was worth the TWO HOUR bumper to bumper Fri-aft-in-summer traffic to join you.

And I keep remembering the bits of phosphorescence dripping off of everyone's paddles as we paddled under the moon.

pru

It should be up to the participants, Pru, so whatever suits you...we can make it back whenever you please. As for getting <on> the water, as I wrote earlier, we'll wait for you if need be.

If you need to call en route (traffic problems or otherwise), my number is (978)two-three-nine. 33 seven six.

Thanks - I have no specific time I need to be back, just wanting a ball park. Thanks for your cell # - my plan now - unless work goes completely haywire today - is to join you all - but will call if it looks as though I'm being badly delayed. pru

Roughly what time do you think we'd be off the water tonight? Not sure yet whether I can make it (the fri afternoon rush hour traffic brawl/crawl up to Cape Ann a bit of a disincentive)but would like to know time parameters. Thanks - pru

I'm pretty sure I'll be there; sounds like beautiful day forecast - pru

At any marine shop, Pru. There are a couple of sizes available: the ones you need are about 3 or 4 inches long. (Smaller ones I would use for illuminating a compass)

The only lights <I> carry are, indeed, a head lamp for shining at any traffic we might encounter and for general use in getting on and off the water. Someone (above) recalled my habits (likes/dislikes) and they were spot-on!

In any case, we shall be paddling by moonlight! ;^)

Assuming I'll be able to fight the traffic to make it up to Lane's Cove by 6:30, any chance anyone would have a spare glow stick? No way I'll be able to make it to a marine store between now and tomorrow.

pru

Different people will do different things, but you certainly don't need full nautical lights in all the appropriate colors. In fact, Christopher recommends against the full nautical lights, since it can trick traffic into thinking you're a much bigger boat than you really are.

A bright headlamp or flashlight which you can turn on and point to indicate the bow and stern of your boat to show exactly what you are to any oncoming traffic, plus a not-too-bright continuous LED light or glow-stick that you can affix to your boat or your person so other kayakers can identify you and see where you are, is plenty.

Stupid question, but....where does one get a glowstick? I have headlamp/flashlight, but not a low-light somethingorother to have on at all times...

pru

What kind of light does one need on one's person? or boat? for a moonlight paddle?

pru

I'm also going to take a pass on tonight - but some preliminary thoughts about heading to the pond on Friday after work - pru

Hi Pru,

Yes. I was tentatively planning on getting to Ordiorne tomorrow. We'll get some practice in.

Bob

excellent!

Hey Bob,

Why don't you come up to Odiorne on Saturday (see posted trip) and we could work on some skills then, too?

pru

Wow! Eight replies! Excellent! The weather forecast looks good, and the surf report looks mild, like 1 ft SE, but I plan to play in the rocks a bit, and if you expect to do the same, please come prepared with helmet etc. The usual CAM guidelines apply.

OK, Doug, I'll agree to launch at 1100. That would mean arrive by 1030 at the latest, yes?

We'll have to make sure we don't get mixed up with that AMC bunch, though! any idea what time they plan to launch?

Cheers,

Rob

I think the AMC post said 11 am - but I'm sure we'll have no problems sorting ourselves out -

pru

ps - the launch spot is the same as for the CAM day last month, right?

Me, too. Look for the girl in an all black Tahe Greenland OC - picking it up tomorrow.

10 or 11 works for me.

Les

an all black boat?! Pretty cool - and intimidating!

I may join you all if my Maine trip gets cancelled by threat of t-storms.

pru

All this erudition...

it's a little frightening!

Pru, are you sure you witnessed it? I've no doubt it was an AWESOME roll, but you MAY have been delirious after someone bonked you on the head with your paddle.

As delirious as I was after being assaulted (!) on the water, I was right next to Eric when he rolled over and up - and he can confirm it! My memory of the rest of the session is, however, quite blurry!

pru

Make that four! - And I witnessed it! pru

Lorrie, I think folks are planning to be there - pru

Nice pix...

And BTW, the bird with the orange beak that neither of us could identify - I think it was an oystercatcher...

pru

Have fun with John! I hope that you have some great surf.

[/quote

Just back, exhausted, aching, fairly exhilarated. And John mentioned you(I am assuming you are "Big Jason") a number of times, including as an inspiration for how to get out of the boat once you've reached shore on a surf beach: just spill out to the side! Worked like a charm for me - as I have no knees to help me stand up (and why isn't there an emoticon for that!)

pru

Hope to be there, too (if I can drag myself and gear together after two days with John Carmody in surf class) - pru

thanks... I changed it over to public.

I realized it would always open for me so I couldn't tell if it opened for others...

hope that does the trick

It does - and the photos are lovely! Very evocative.

pru

soon to see the sights....

Thursday finds us up early. It is not uncommon for us to travel together during the day but pitch our tents at a distance. The wind came up during the night and my tent flapped and carried on so much I finally grabbed my bivy bag and relocated at 2 am to a more protected spot. It was the first time in a long time that I've had to do that, but sometimes you just need to resolve the situation day or night. I returned to the tent, which collapsed after I had gotten out. Though I had placed rocks inside the tent I added some more on top of it just to be sure, after all most my gear and navigation charts etc. were still in the tent.

On the water nice and early, we weave our way over to Isle au Haut...Thinking in terms of doing a circumnavigation of it..our thoughts are tempered when The severe thunderstorm hail warnings and generally all hell breaking loose some time in the aft or early evening predictions could not be ignored.

We spent leisurely time paddling, taking some touristy pictures of the town and generally poking about.

Working our way along and trying to keep things vague as to one of our "memorable sightings" we eventually... and innocently I might add... stumble upon wildlife refreshing and beautiful that I don't think either of us had seen in a while or at least since I wore a younger mans clothes...or lack thereof.

A young couple seemed pleasant enough with a wave and a smile from their boat anchored in a reclusive bay.

It was a few minutes before we realized that was all they were wearing...and it looked mighty fine on them.

At first we thought oh we are going to ruin their good time by showing up, but fortunately they seemed happy enough to continue as though we weren't there, and were all smiles and waves when we parted.

I think for my friend he has seen the much fabled American Woman au natural...yet I kid him.. I always thought it was the French that shed their clothes so readily....

ummm seems like a good ending for now.

I have good luck with the link for the trip but I see it doesn't work for some..

...no we didn't take pictures of the "frolicking couple" thought that would be a bit tacky...some things are memories that bring a smile, not soon forgotten.

Thanks, Jason! I shall try it and then let you know: I suspect it is the case that your simple explanation is the one...

Prudence: are those Xs kisses you are sending us, then? Nice...

Oops - I think I can't claim the XX's - they come from Jason! pru

Thanks, Jason! I shall try it and then let you know: I suspect it is the case that your simple explanation is the one...

Prudence: are those Xs kisses you are sending us, then? Nice...

Oh yes, definitely!