prudenceb

For people newer to cold water paddling, I would highly recommend these sessions. I just attended Suz' talk-workshop at CRCK a few weeks ago and found it really helpful. I bought a dry suit (15% off - not bad!) and immediately headed for Maine, where armed with proper gear and some knew knowledge, felt a lot more comfortable out in the nippy water than I would have otherwise. Look forward to learning/experiencing more! prudence

Car on the fritz! Can't make it - but will look forward to reading the trip report. pru

Just looked at NOAA, which has forecast pretty windy from noon onward on Sunday. I'll check again, too, in am and if too windy/bumpy, I'll take a pass. prudence

I may want to go, too - prudence

I'd up that ibuprofen to 600 mg three times a day - prudence

I may be interested for next wknd as well - pru

But don't put on a spray skirt until you've had some experience - close to shore - in wet exiting!

As a newcomer to nspn, and wanting to learn as much as I can from the clearly very experienced paddlers in the network, I just want to say that I have appreciated reading all of the posts regarding this difficult trip. As others have said, I'm glad everyone made it back OK. It seems pretty certain that the wide dissemination of information about this "private" trip will end up helping everyone - both those who come up with plans and those such as myself who sign up to participate. I know that I will be more careful about realistically assessing my abilities and comfort level on trips that get us farther away from shore. So I would particularly like to thank the trip participants, who've opened up the dynamics of a difficult day for all of us to learn from. pru

Gene - I'll be in touch after I've talked to my contractor - how do I reach you? - other than on this continuing thread? pru

I have every hope of being there = pru

Hi Peter - Nope, handy I'm not! I'm gonna need help on this one - thus, my contractor friend who will only need instruction on what I want. Thanks! pru

This sounds as though it may be the ticket. Does this system work such that you hoist the boat either directly from the car top or from the floor of the garage? And if it is indeed installable in a concrete ceiling per your instructions, I would definitely be interested in purchasing yours. How much? You say you have to "of them" for sale - does this mean two complete systems for two boats, or enough for one, or what? prudence

OK, so now I have this wonderful new boat - 17' 6" - and it won't fit in the basement for winter storage. I have a small one car garage that has concrete walls and ceiling and fits my Honda Civic and not much else. But there is space above the car. Does anyone have any experience with buying or designing/building a pulley stem to hang a kayak from a concrete ceiling? I've seen a product online that purports to pull kayaks and canoes up for ceiling storage, but it requires studs/rafters. What do I know about concrete? Nothing! Could a fastener of some sort set into concrete even hold a 55 pound boat? If anyone has managed to do what I'm hoping to do, any advice would be appreciated. I have a clever contractor friend who would be able to do the construction if he had any guidance in what to do. Thanks for any help! prudence

Terrific photos and narration. What a trip - and how nice for the rest of us to at least see some of what you did. A terrific paddler, narrator and photographer all in one, apparently! prudence

Wow! Congrats! prudence

yup! and I tried your version of the butterfly roll and it worked...mostly!

As I told you, I'm hoping to be there if I can get back from mtg in Boston in a timely fashion. With a new (used) boat! To try out some of those tricks with the stick you were showing off last time! prudence

The DCR folks were there scooping up the little devils shortly before the rolling crew was there on Wednesday. However, didn't see any when I was upside down, and didn't comb any out of my hair thereafter... prudence

Sporty indeed! May I never again believe a NOAA weather forecast! But a fabulous day and many thanks to those - you know who you are - who helped me successfully reach the end of what was the longest and roughest paddle I've ever done. And "roughest" doesn't even include the hostile power boaters who would have been happy to run us over in Lane's Cove! prudence

I'll be there on Wednesday - prudence

Les - I've managed to misplace (aka lose) the contact info that you gave me on Wed. Assuming the trip will be on, could you either email me at: prubax@aol.com or leave contact info on this thread so we can arrange either going up together or in convoy. Thanks! I'm looking forward - prudence

Do you perchance have the Walden phone number you use? I would definitely like to get upside down this evening!

So it's going to be a gazillion degrees today and everyone on earth will be wanting to get cool. Any thoughts of likelihood of parking being shut down at Walden at 5ish this afternoon because of crowds? I generally go in the morning when it isn't an issue. Would hate to go through hassle of getting boat on car, getting gear etc, driving a half hour and then finding I can't get in! prudence

judging by all the impressive photos I've been seeing on posts of nspn members up to their heads in rough surf, I think earl should be just another day at the beach for y'all... prudence

I'm interested in thinking about it - If I make it to Walden on Wednesday, perhaps I could find out more about it and decide then - earl willing, of course... prudence