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One more question: Garmin sells the Bluechart g2 on a microSD card for the US for about $160. Is that a good card to get for kayaking in our area when we get back into sea kayaking (Essex bay, Portland ME, Rye NH, Glouchester, etc)? Lynn and Mikael, Sorry about this long overdue response to your question. I have a Garmin GPS, the Bluechart g2 microSD card as well as the desktop trip planning microSD card. I bought them last year and used them to suppliment my use of nautical charts. Last year I was frequently touring in new areas where I needed to be certain the island I was planning to visit was in fact the island I thought I found based on my navigation skills which were developing. The Bluechart software was perfect for achieving that goal. I can remember three occasions when the software confirmed my location. I also used the desktop planning tool with the Bluechart to locate a place and set a waypoint. I would then upload the waypoints to the Garmin. That way I avoided the possibility of an error in keying the waypoint directly into the Garmin. I will admit I use the GPS less this year, partly because I know the areas better. My navigations skills are, of course, still developing so I always take along the Garmin. As I venture further down east, I hope to encounter fog and perhaps the Garmin will be one more tool in my tool kit. Hope this helps, Warren

Gary, What a great adventure. Thank you for sharing. I particularly liked the Endor-esque landscape photo. I would quess you have many more trips planned before the end (Now come on does it really ever end!) of the season. Any trips planned to The Bay of Fundy?? Warren

Last week, Pru and I joined four other paddlers for a four day trip to a group of outer islands off Naskeag Point in Brooklin, Maine. The islands included Marshall, Swan and Long. The trip took us to beautiful beaches and island communities where we discovered the most outstanding ice cream sandwich with homemade chocolate chip cookies in Frenchboro on Long Island. Definitely worth the trip! If you have not yet explored this beautiful section of the coast of Maine, perhaps the attached photos will provide an incentive. Warren

Last week, Dave and I set out from Dolphin Marina to explore the middle section of Casco Bay. Camped for two nights and paddled for three. The seal pups were extra curious and luckily no sharks. Since conditions were extra calm, it allowed for careful observation with the discovery of a new nesting pair of eagles. Hopefully, others will enjoy this special section of the Maine coast and experience similar discoveries! Warren

Heading up to Casco Bay tomorrow morning for a few days of camping. Hope to photograph the seal colonies from a safe distance. Will plan to get a few good shark photos as well!! Wish me luck!! Warren

Before I begin, I need to state that the hanging draw has always been my weakest stroke. That being the case, I have tried many different methods. I now like the no edge approach. I find the boat tends to "skate" across the water in a manner similar to the sculling draw which I have always tried to perform with no edge. So perhaps we now have three options to consider! Warren

Peter, Count me in. I am looking forward to it! Warren

Bob, Count me in. Looking forward to it! Warren

Dustin, You might want to consider camping on the MITA island described in the 2011 guide book on pages 192 and 193, it is my favorite place to camp. Be certain to visit the 2011 MITA guide book island described on page 196. Also, the non MITA island by the name of ********. You will find it on your nautical chart east of the others described above. Stonington is a wonderful area to explore and you can tuck in to the lee side of an island during windy days. Once you cross Merchant Row, you might want to consider the island described on page 186. Pru, Barry and I considered the island as a camp site last year due how close it is to IAH, but the ocean swells at the time would have made landing very difficult with our loaded boats. The MITA guide describes this as a potential problem and it is correct. Have a great time! Warren

Phil, Thank you for the info on the Audubon App. I have an iPhone 4S and just loaded the app. I believe you are correct that the bird we saw in the waters around Little Whaleboat was in fact a tern. Based on the recent sightings in the Whaleboat area as displayed on the app, it was probably a Common Tern. Wow, this is great! Someday, we should begin a new thread on our favorite iPhone apps for kayakers. Do you have others? Warren

Peter and Kate, Thank you for planning a great camping workshop and to all those in attendance for sharing your experiences. I had several "Aha" moments when I realized, "Oh, that is how you do it." Peter, thank you for the awesome recipes! Now back to planning my next great adventure..... Warren

Pru, As always, a wonderful report. It is so nice to be part of these adventures. I particularly liked the last two lines of the report, "Why keep driving hours and hours to get out on the water for an overnight? Because it's a sure cure for what ails you!" That clearly describes why we kayak camp so often and can not wait to begin our next adventure. Warren

PeterB, Could me in! I will bring a couple recipes as well. Warren

Doug, Count me in. Warren

Bob, You are wise to postpone. There will be many more opportunities this season. Warren

Bob, Count me in as well. Warren

Gary, Thank you for giving me an idea for a whole new area that I need to explore this season. I really liked the concept of the MITA island camping spot for a 2-day circumnav. Camping plus a new area to explore!! It does not get any better! Warren

Hi, More Pics! (Some with captions!) Enjoy! Warren https://picasaweb.google.com/100727147078383276871/JewellTripMay201202?authkey=Gv1sRgCNHF49ev3YWhfw#

Pru, I am continually amazed at how you remember all the details and weave them into a beautifully flowing story of our adventures. Great report! Warren

Congratulations Peter, Phil and John!! Pru thank you for highlighting their achievement. I understand Lorrie was a "tea bag" as well on the trip. Warren

Pru, as always, a great report. These reports are forming a collection to read over and over again as the years go by. To follow NSPN paddlers. Pru, Dave and I are always on the lookout for islands off the coast of Maine which are "off the beaten path" to camp on. We would welcome your suggestions. Feel free to reference the islands by page number from the 2011 MITA Guide Book or better yet the 2012 MITA Guide Book. Yes, if you sent in your annual donation, the 2012 book should be in your hands! (Scott, did I say that right?) Warren

Gene, Glad to hear you have a great combination for loading and unloading the Romany. I, as well, have the Subaru Impresa and I have the Roller Loader. They work really well in combination! We should have an effortless season ahead.!! Warren

Peter and Kate, Both June 9 and June 16 are fine for me. Thank you for attempting a reschedule! Yes Kate, I as well would really like to see your photos and perhaps a recipe or two. Another idea might be an "On Water Kayak Camping Workshop" where campers are taken out for a one or two night camping trip to implement all the great ideas learned during the on land workshop. Just a thought from a kayak camping addict. Warren

Cathy, Although in the body of the posting it does reference June. The title mentions April 12 which matches with the posting on the NSPN Calendar. I would go with April 12. Hope to see you there. Warren

Barry, that is a great photo taken during a great trip. But my favorite photo from the trip was the picture Pru took on the island we camped on that second night. Pru, you know which one. You should enter it as well. Warren