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Paul, Congratulations on purchasing a smartphone. I am assuming you can access the App Store to locate your apps. I would start with the following two apps. These two are my favorites and I use them all the time. 1. Marine Weather Plus by Bluefin Engineering. This app is great due to the multiple layers you can access. I use the Weather Options which has five layers. The five layers are: Weather Forecast Zones, Live Weather Stations, Tide Prediction Stations, Sun Rise/Set, Current Prediction Stations. The app has a very handy way to change the date and see future tides, currents, etc. Although it also has Doppler Radar and Sea Surface Temperature options, I actually use a different app for that infomation. Because it assembles most of the critical marine data in one easy to use app, it has become my most favorite. Plus, it has both east and west coast. 2. Hi-Def Radar. This app has Doppler Radar and I tend to prefer this app for that function. But more important than the Doppler Radar are the Area Forecat Discussions as issued by the regional NWS offices. Here is where I pick up on the potential for sca's, hazardous weather, and gale warning long before the other forecast apps will list them. Seems the NWS use several computer models and freely discuss their concerns so you have an opportunity to plan accordingly. I like the Portland and Caribou NWS offices to help me cover the entire coast of Maine. I aim for the Marine section in their discussions. I will also review the Boston NWS discussions if the Doppler radar is indicating the movement of the weather into the Maine coast. Important Note. Paul, you might want to take a look at RadarCast in place of Hi-Def Radar since it has a few new feature that you might find helpful. One interesting feature is Lightning Strikes on the Doppler Radar. Since the presence of lightning is a major concern for us, it might be nice to know when it is on it's way toward us! Paul, I would start with these two apps and then I can suggest some secondary apps that are more targeted in their usefulness. Over time you will want to explore options for how to expand your battery power for longer kayak camping trip. I have solutions for that issue as well. But, let's take it one step at a time. Warren

Josko, I have had good luck with the synthetic Mountain Hardwear UltraLamina bags. I have several. They pack down real small and stay dry even in wet situations. This was a real issue last February when it was a challenge to keep all snow out of the tent. The zero degree bag was combined with the Exped DownMat 9 LW for a dry warm and comfortable night. Warren

Pru, Another excellent trip report! Yes, in many ways this trip felt special. I know it was due to the enthusiasm of our group and the way Mother Nature appeared to look down fondly upon our efforts. Through out the weekend I kept thinking about how far we have come and how much we have achieved. Although our achievements are modest, they are long lasting. This weekend also triggered my memory of a conversation I had with John Carmody over his dinner table. He warned me that as we acquire our knowledge, we will be driven to share our joy with others. Thank you Beth, Shari and David for allowing us to share our joy for kayak camping. Warren

Rob, Excellent! Pru and I will be on our "New to Kayak Camping" weekend in Casco Bay, but I will be back on Sunday evening to review any additional ideas expressed in this thread. Warren

Rob, Sounds like a great idea! I would like to improve my skills in conditions. The challenge may be to engage the conditions in a reasonably safe manner, while trying to stay out of "The Terror Zone". One idea comes to mind. There is value in feeling comfortable with moving water. In other words, currents, eddy lines, etc. We do have the benefit of a full moon on June 23. We also have max flood at around 9:00AM in the Hampton Harbor with significantly greater tidal range. The area under the route 1A bridge from Seabrook to Hampton can have some nice moving water for a practice session. The value of using the flood versus the ebb is the safety of the estuary as our recovery section. Boat traffic can be a hazard at times, but perhaps less so in the AM of a Sunday morning. It is ideal to have three or more paddlers. One is in the current, one is watching for boat traffic, and possibly one is in the safety zone ready to help the capsized paddler back in their boat. It might be good for a couple hours of practice, then the beach side might have some waves for surfing, rolling, rescues, etc. Just an idea. Warren

Hi Cathy, Thank you for the link above! The questions were excellent. Perhaps our responses will be appreciated and make a difference. Warren

Gary, This is without a doubt your best trip report ever. Although the trip location added to the joy, I suspect the presence of your paddling buddy helped take the trip to new levels of enjoyment. Perhaps we will no longer see a solo wanderer! Now Gary, the gentle readers were hoping you would mention whether or not you guys saw any eagles! Warren

Liz, Al and Peter, Liz, last night, with the cold rain outside, it seemed like a good time to watch the DVD entitled "Pacific Horizons - Exploring the Northwest Coast by Kayak". I was drawn to the chapter on the Bunsby Islands. In August I will be paddling with one of the presentors of that chapter. This year will be a good opportunity to work out the logistics for paddling areas that require flying to the launch site. I would value any our your insights. Al, over the last couple weeks, I have learned to appreciate how Puget Sound creates significant tidal flows, especially on the ebb, in and around the San Juan islands. Although there are many live current stations to provide helpful data, the islands have a way of bending and distorting the current in unexpected ways. Add in the many areas of varying ocean depths, and you have currents that are inconsistent and difficult to predict. Al, as you completed your circumnavigation around Orcas Island, I suspect the guide was particularly careful in and around the Parker Reef, which is very near North Beach. Although I would like to paddle those waters and visit Sucia, I really hope to camp on Jones Island on our way to the northwest section of the San Juan Island to see the three Orca pods. Peter, in a way the San Juan island trip will hopefully be just the beginning of my goal to explore the Northwest. Some day I hope to explore the Barkley and Clayoquot Sounds on the west coast of Vancouver Island. Perhaps next year! Warren

Paul, In the spirit of hijacking a thread, are you sure those are Rottweiers in your photo? Good looking dogs! Warren

Cathy, I, as well, wish there was a way to accurately predict the arrival of fog off the coast of Maine. Last fall, while camping on an island in the Sheepscot River, the fog arrived without warning. Within one hour I was buried and was glad I did not need to venture out across the Sheepscot. Fog horns were being used by all the pleasure boats that evening. I must have counted over a dozen separate boats as they were returning. Even with an arsenal of tools and techniques, I would have felt like walking across a multi lane highway and the vision of road kill came to mind. That day I learned how to use an important tool, the need to stay put and have a glass of wine! Warren

I have two questions for our NSPN community. 1. Anyone camping in the San Juan Islands this summer? 2. Could those who have local knowledge about the San Juan Islands, PM me? I am particularly interested in the following islands, Patos, Sucia, Matia, James and Jones. Any experience camping on those islands as well as any knowledge pertaining to paddling concerns from Orcas Island, such as Parker Reef, would be helpful. I will be camping in the San Juan Islands in August. Thank you, Warren

Pru, Thank you for another excellent trip report! Perhaps over time, our NSPN community will recognize us as paddlers who really enjoy kayak camping. Our goal continues to be safe journeys with a sense of accomplishment and discovery. Perhaps in our own way we strive to enjoy grand journeys effortlessly. Your beautifully written trip report conveys the message that our goal was accomplished. Warren

I am in the process of rebuilding my paddling skills and seek to purchase the serves of a local ACA or BCU trained instructor to assist me in perfecting the skills as outlined in the ACA Level 3 Coastal Kayaking Skills Assessment. This past weekend, I began the rebuilding process by training in Rhodes Island and now wish to establish a local practice setting and confirmation of my skills via a second option. More specifically I seek the following; 1. Verify my current level of proficiency for each skill as outlined in the skills assessment. 2. Identify those needing work and demo the correct method. 3. For those skills where proficiency is not readily apparent, video tape your method or equivalent and my method for my later review. I have a suitable waterproof video camera. I would like to suggest training at Rye Harbor and the areas outside the breakwater as appropriate. I would like to also suggest a training period that might start with BOB at 9:00AM and end at 3:00PM with a break for lunch. I have availability on the following days; May 10, 17, 18 or 24. Please PM me if this sounds interesting to you, if questions arise, or if you would like to suggest changes to the dates, time or location. I am flexible with the plan but would like to accomplish my goals before the end of May. I can guarantee you will find me to be an enthusiastic learner. You can also e-mail me, wjosh51 at yahoo dot com. Thank you for your help. Warren

Bob, I believe Rob and I will be arriving between 7:30A and 8:00A and setting up our large tarp. Rain is not a problem for us campers. Chances are, we will be sitting in our crazy chairs enjoying the rain. Now if a thick fog bank rolled in, it would be prefect! Could you arrange that Bob? Warren

Rene, It is good to read that you and Jeff got in some camping this past weekend. Looks like you had a great site to set up your tent. We should go into a PM thread and share details. Campers can never have too many places to visit. By the way, did you and Jeff spot any eagles, hawks or osprey on your travels? I was hoping to see at least one raptor on the New Meadows River, but no luck. Like yourself, my paddler's body is a work in progress, but I have a 15 to 20 miles per day, 6 day trip coming up and the body had better be ready or perhaps a bottle of Advil will be in my day hatch! Warren

Cundy, Dingley and Beyond! This past weekend, Rob Folster and I completed our first kayak camping trip of the 2013 season. I will admit, the weather forecast over the previous week made the planning a challenge, but we tend to understand Mother Nature and she seems to tolerate us. So we launched from Bethel Point Road at 10:34AM on Saturday. The goal was to paddle up the eastern side of Sebascodegan Island and camp on a MITA island in the northeast corner. Although we anticipated wind and waves, both were less than expected and the journey was very enjoyable. As we paddled up New Meadows River, both the land and water were absent of humans. All the houses appeared to still be in hibernation from the long winter. The trees were absent of leaves and their branches gave a haunting appearance against the gray sunless sky. In sharp contrast to the lack of humans was the abundance of water birds. Most appeared to be paired off and enjoying the lack of boat traffic. There was also a pair of harbour porpoise enjoying the day as they broke the surface of the water over and over again. It is hard to describe how special it feels to be paddling at this time of year. We arrived at our camp site around 2:00PM and noticed the significant damage from tree falls. The winter season was not easy for this island however we found our favorite tent sites no worse for the wear. After setting up the tents we decided to explore the island on foot and hiked the trails around the island. There was tree fall damage everywhere. As is our style, we both had several new gear items to test on this trip. Rob had his new boat and a four season tent to try out and I had a new sleeping mat and bag to test. Saturday night the temperature dipped down to the low 30s and it felt cold, but luckily our gear served us well. Although this was the earliest in the season for both of us to kayak camp, we were pleasantly surprised by how much there is to enjoy camping at this time of the year. Our bodies and gear also seemed to emerge from winter hibernation with no bumps or bruises. As we paddled back to the launch site Sunday morning, all I could think about was checking my work calendar and finding a way to squeeze in one more camping trip before the end April. Warren 4/14/13

Photo of happy Navigation Workshop students. Warren

Peter and Jon, Excellent workshop! Thank you Warren

Gene, I have only used one type of stove, but for me it has worked fine. I use a JetBoil plus the optional, and sold separately, pot. Last year I camped a great deal and used my stove every day. I like a hot coffee and hot meal at breakfast, hot thermos of tea and hot soup at lunch, as well as hot tea and a hot meal at dinner time. The JetBoil works for the kind of cooking I like to do, which is quick and simple. I also feel it is safe. The one error that many campers who are new to the JetBoil make, it filling the container above the fill line as noted on the inside. When you do that, the water will boil over and you could burn yourself attempting to turn off the burner. I tend to be a heavy user of my stove and as such the automatic starter will tend to fail. I anticipate that problem and always carry two alternative methods for starting the burner. In many ways I value my stove as being a very important piece of safety equipment and as such it needs to work and work well for me. The JetBoil does that consistently. Hope this helps. Warren

Jeff, Great photos! Thank you! It really was a wonderful day and all the smiles demonstrate how much we enjoyed the activity. Warren

Rob, Thank you for organizing a great day on and in the water. I need to echo Pru’s comment on how great it feels to overcome the inertia we all feel in tackling a new challenge. The key for us was a supportive team that was always ready to provide assistance. I am really looking forward to helping you during the next session on April 21. Warren (a.k.a. The guy with the bunny ears!)

Cold Water Immersion? On Sunday? The Easter Bunny Plunge? Sign me up? Sorry Doug, can not miss this opportunity. Word has it, it will be a real crowd pleaser. My slot this Saturday at the Haverhill Pool session is open to others. Thank you, Warren

Paul, You might want to take a look at the Garmin Oregon 450 GPS or equivalent model, the HomePort software and the BlueChart g2 data chip. I was able to purchase the Oregon on sale. I like the BlueChart g2 since it contains detailed nautical charts of the east coast as well as Atlantic Canada. The data chip moves freely between the GPS and the laptop. The HomePort software allows me to work off my laptop to select the waypoints and upload them to the GPS. Warren

Spider, I very much enjoyed reading your trip report. You and Kate have a similar writing style that is based on your careful observations and how you find joy where ever you look. I am envious of your flexibility to include the Monday on your trip. Retirement from day-to-day work is years away for me, so at times I need to find joy in reading great trip reports when I really just want to go kayak camping. Warren