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Jim, Thank you for the info on the seal colony. Earlier this summer I was paddling on Casco Bay and spend a long time enjoying the seal colony on Grassy ledge off Upper and Lower Goose. The seal pups would come very close to the boat and study me and I would study them. It was most enjoyable! Warren

Thank you Doug and Scott for the great pictures! Squam Lake is one of those beautiful places that everyone should paddle. Even though the weather looked gloomy from the photos, I never felt that way out on the water. Perhaps that was due to the location or perhaps due to the great group of paddlers. Doug, thank you for organizing a great trip! Warren

Phil, Your comments are helpful and yes most of the trip is planned to work with the current not against the flow. Since we will be launching from Broad Cove Marine we will ride the current down to our camp site and when we return on Sunday we can ride the current back to Broad Cove. I do, however, have a facination for current flow having worked with it under the bridge at Seabrook and in Lower Hell's Gate. I do see an opportunity to learn more in the Flying Passage and yet I want to be respectful of any risks. I also see an opportunity to work with back eddies which I lack in experience. In studying the shore line of Bremen Long Island, I suspect back eddies may be present! Warren

A couple of NSPN paddlers are planning a kayak camping trip in Muscongus Bay on 10/7 thru 10/9 and hope to circumnavigate both Bremen Long Island as well as Hungry Island. Dorcas Miller, in his guide book for the Maine coast states there is stong current flow in Flying Passage as well as Mockomock Channel. Since the phases of the moon are favorable on 10/7 and 10/8, the range is still approximately 8ft. I am predicting a current flow during peak flood of 2 to 3 knots and would hope to find back eddies on the west coast of Bremen Long Island if the circumnavigation effort encounters current flow of this speed. Although every effort will be made to complete the circumnavigation effort with the current in our favor, it might be enjoyable to calculate a solution using the eddy structure in both the Passage and the Channel. Does anyone have experience paddling this area, and are my predictions reasonable? Having never paddled this bay, I am hoping for a reality check. Warren

Doug, One idea to consider is a "Post Paddle Pig Out" (PPPO) at the Tilt'n Diner (pink building) exit 20 off route 93 in Tilton, NH. This past weekend, Dave and I pigged out there after our Squam Lake paddle. I think it is a tradition! Warren

Yes, sign me up as well! Warren

Doug, I just returned from a one night camping trip to Bowman Island in Squam Lake. The lake is amazingly beautiful! I took your suggestion and paddled around Yard Islands. Beautiful Islands, but keep an eye out for the all the rocks just below the surface of the water. Eagles have begun building a nest on Little Loon Island, but did not spot them on this trip. A must see is the open air chapel on Chocorua Island (Church Island). Don't forget the canal between Bean Cove and Sturtevant Bay. On one side is the Centre Harbor Town Beach with a picnic table, perfect for a snack break. I am really tempted to join you if Squam is choosen. The swamp maples were turning color and I suspect the foliage will be beautiful on October 1. Also, the launch site at Piper Cove is terrific. The helpful staff sold me a great nautical chart of the lake. Being the "nav geek" that I am, that chart is wonderful and worth every penny of the $5.00 fee. Warren

Jason, Great idea! I am seriously considering MITA 2011 guide book page 136. I hear it is a real crowd pleaser without the crowd this time of year. Warren

Ed, It sounds like you enjoy visiting Muscongus Bay. Have you ever camped in Muscongus and if so where did you stay? In the interest of honoring our MITA protocols regarding the discussion of private MITA islands, you could e-mail me at: miwp at wdhospital dot com. Warren

Ed, Based on your chart showing the location of nesting eagles in Muscongus Bay, I focused on Hog Island info on the web. The photo below is an example of one of the Hog Island eagles. Warren

Ed, Wow! That is excellent! Muscongus Bay here I come...... Thank you!! Warren

Ed, Thank you for the info regarding how you work with a laminated chart. I need to try that. Yes, Pru and I are planning to explore Muscongus Bay. It has been on my wish list. Pru, I sent to your e-mail address the info you seek. I tend to like Landfall Navigation for obtaining NOAA charts due to their great customer service in locating some hard to find charts, such as the one for Muscongus Bay. Warren

Ed, Good to hear there are eagles in the Winnipesaukee islands. Heading up to Squam Lake this weekend to camp on Bowman. Spotting an eagle would be a bonus! Ed, have you seen any around Squam Lake? Also, heading up to Muscongus Bay in a couple weeks. Word has it a pair of bald eagles have been attempting to nest on the Crotch Islands. Planning a serious search of Muscongus Bay for the eagles! Warren

Barry, I just returned from a three day trip and really enjoyed the photos. You are an incrediblely talented photographer. I thought I was looking at photos that Kate would have taken! Nice job!! Warren

Pru, Wow! What an amazingly well written trip report. It is true Kate does write amazing trip reports and each one has helped shape my knowledge and approach to kayak camping. But Pru, this report is the one I will treasure for years to come. As we said to each other before heading home on Monday morning, "Boy have we come a long way with our kayaking skills and in realizing our dreams." Well done! Warren

Kate, My skills are growing, but there will always be a need for improvement. Thank you for the suggestion of Muscongus. I have received several great ideas from other NSPN paddlers regarding islands to camp on in Muscongus. Hearing your suggestion as well, makes it a definite for me. Muscongus will be my next kayak camping trip in Maine. Perhaps this will be my next solo trip. I remember our discussion regarding solo versus group trips and I have not yet discovered a perference. Perhaps in time. Warren

Kate, Thank you for sharing another solo kayak camping trip. This being my first kayaking season, I followed your suggestion to kayak camp in the islands off Stonington, ME. I just returned from a four day trip and thought of your experiences often. You are correct, it is a great place to kayak camp. If I may ask, where should I go next? I am bitten bad for kayak camping and the fall is a wonderful time to be on the water. Warren

Doug, Thank you for planning a great trip. Good weather, good conditions, great friends and good times. It doesn't get much better than that! Too bad I did not have my camera readily at hand when the helpful bystander came to the rescue at Folly Point. That was a missed Kodak Moment! LOL Warren

Doug, Count me in. Warren

Dustin, As Rick mentioned in his posting, you do have many options in a bay as large as Casco. My experience has been in what is referred to as the middle section of Casco Bay. I prefer that section due to less boat traffic versus the area near Portland. Your choice of a weekday versus weekend may be wise if you want to lower your boat traffic risk. Last night at Seabrook you mentioned that this is your first season kayaking, just as this is my first season. I was careful in selecting a trip plan which I believe would be great for you as well. The trip does involve camping on a private MITA island as your primary site or on a private MITA island as your secondary site. I would strongly encourage joining MITA since they provide invaluable information. Contact me via e-mail if I can be of help. Warren

Dustin, I recently completed a solo kayak camping trip in Casco Bay. It was a great experience. You can see an eagle nest as well as a seal colony. Due to MITA protocols as outlined on this web site I am not free to share the particulars. If you are a MITA member, please e-mail me, miwp at wdhospital dot com, and I will share the details. I launched from the Windslow Park launch site which is very tide dependent. Luckily the tide chart for South Freeport looks reasonable for next week. If your hope is to launch from that site on Monday, I hope you are an early riser! Warren

Thank you for all the great ideas and comments. Rene - As August gets closer, please contact me with some dates that are good for you for a camping trip. I would like that very much! Ed - I signed onto Amazon this morning and the book you suggested is on it's way to me. Thank you for the recommendation and have a great trip on Friday! Peter - Thank you for the suggestions, I will study my MITA Guide Book and find the islands that I seek. On my next trip to Boothbay, I want to visit Little Ram. I also want to visit Little Birch when I am back on Casco Bay. Both islands sound secluded. Have a great trip tomorrow! Suz - My meal prep skills are improving. Over the weekend I tried four more meals. If you end up buying the book we spoke about, I would value your experiences and comments. Kate - I do hope you are planning another trip this year and will post the trip report. I so very much enjoy reading them! By the way, I did buy the waterproof camera you suggested and now I just need the skill to use it. Warren

Kate, Thank you for your posting. I very much enjoyed reading your trip reports, especially the solo trips. Lorrie, gave me the info to buy a sleeping bag mat similar to the one you borrowed from her for your Bay of Fundy trip. You are correct that it gives a great night sleep. Your meal selection as noted on that trip inspired me to learn more so I purchased a book for backpackers and have found the recipes to be nutritious, delicious and easy for kayak camping trips. This week I completed my training on how to use a GPS so I can navigate in fog more safely as you discovered in the Bay of Fundy. Although I have spent a great deal of time learning how to be a safe paddler, I may never feel the adreneline rush of surfing the big ones at Popham. I do, however, feel great joy when I arrive on a secluded island. Now I just need to find them. Warren

I am interested in creating a dialogue with other paddlers who have an interest in kayak camping off the coast of Maine. I am new to sea kayaking and kayak camping. Since April, I have focused on developing my paddling/safety/rescue skills so I would have a level of comfort paddling to camping sites. I have begun scouting out MITA sites and am drawn to those sites that create a feeling of solitude. Therefore, I prefer East Gosling in Casco Bay versus West Gosling. I would value any suggestions on places to consider as I continue my explorations. Although I am preparing myself to complete solo trips, I do see the value in finding another like minded paddler to provide an added level of safety for each other. Although I have focused exclusively on the MITA 2011 Guide to date, I am open to considering any other reference guides. I can also be reached via; miwp at wdhospital dot com. Warren