cfolster

Looking forward to it. Do you mean the 13th? Never mind - I understand the correct date is in your title and an old date is in the text.

Well if we're doing shameless plugs . . . http://apps.facebook.com/promotionshq/contests/192520/voteable_entries/45050139 Please take a look and vote for me! I will be very grateful! http://www.nspn.org/forum/public/style_emoticons/default/notWorthy.gif

My link And some pics from trip leader, Jerry.

This was an AMC paddle cross posted to the NSPN site. It was a delightful day for paddling (that means no sun for me!). 7 of us put in at Witches Bridge in Odiorne State Park around 11am and set off with Bill V. leading the way. We meandered over by Leach's and Pest for a quick pit stop and then continued on under the causeway and into the Piscataqua headed east. We saw a female Eider and a plastic owl (yes it was a quiet trip). We continued on down the river to Fort Constitution, cut under the bridge and then around the point and through the eddy off Portsmouth Harbor Light. Next up was a stop for lunch near Fort Point, which we ate in a field of newly growing pitch pines planted to reclaim area that was previously cleared. We joked about heading out to Whaleback or Wood, but I don't know that anyone was up to that on this somewhat cold day that was a first paddle of the season for a few. So, we headed out into the ocean, battled the incoming tide a bit as we headed towards the breakwater, which I for one was glad to turn around and head in! From there we headed back to the launch site as a light mist was just starting to fall. Before landing, Bill did a roll, and I put on goggles and noseplug and tried my first roll in anything but pool water and freaked out underwater so Bill pulled me back up (thanks!). Have to work on that, I guess. It was a great day and a great start to the season! Approx 5.6 nautical miles

Yes, I've been reading prior forum posts on everyone's favorite method of waste collection and storage and I felt like I've gone down a road I cannot turn back from, when I received a package padded with blank newsprint, and thought 'ooh, good poo paper, I should save this!' :-)

Yeah! BTW - just joined MITA, but don't have the guide yet. What exactly do they mean by 'privy' on Jewell Island? :-)

Robert and I would like to join - is it too late?

This session was moved to the 21st - probably to accommodate the CAM session.

And so we don't forget one of the most important things to bring . . . . A sense of humor! https://picasaweb.google.com/TippyDazey/DiscountTent?authkey=Gv1sRgCICiqbzg7bjXkQE#5716844111194520018

We've used the Pierce Island site a number of times - if the racing club is, in fact, meeting, it may provide a more suitable launch site. Perhaps Rick had a reason for choosing Goat Island though . . . . . . 5 minutes later, just saw Rick's origal post mentions changing to Pierce Island if the group gets large enough.

Thanks everyone! - Turns out a 7x22 does fit in the hatches with some squishing, and many are that size (and our price range) - but I can certainly see the advantages of stowing the parts separately. We will be spending our evenings practice loading our boats as we acquire more equipment - wheeee, what fun! Can't Wait!

So, Robert and I are gearing up to kayak camp for the first time this year and we've been checking out the tents that have been recommended in this thread, mocking up their packed size and finding they don't fit in our hatches - and Robert has a good size boat with good size hatches. Many of the 2 and3 person tents we're seeing are 8x25 or 7x20, etc packed, which is too big. We did find one that was recommended at 6x21 that fits, but we're wondering if folks are packing the poles and tent separately in order to fit their tents. Any advice would be welcome, as we will also be trying to fit the pads and sleeping bags, tarp, etc. etc. etc. Thanks, Cathy

We are still available that day and have updated our calendars.

Rick (and others who join to assist) - a big thanks for doing this! Robert and I will be there, ready to paddle and learn. Cathy

Thank you Doug for inviting the group to actively think about its basic premise – always a good exercise. I will add my perspective as a new member and someone new to sea kayaking. My husband and I joined last April when I heard about the group because we felt it would be a great source of information, inspiration and paddling opportunities for us. Perusing the forums, we were pleased to see so many knowledgeable people eager to share their knowledge with others of all abilities. It was heartening to experience that in person when we attended the CAM session early last year. However, as that was our first introduction to CAM in action, for me personally (less so, my husband Robert), it was a bit off-putting in that I learned I wasn’t really ready yet to join a group for an ocean paddle. At the time, we still didn’t have all of the equipment we needed, still needed to work on endurance and navigation and couldn’t yet roll. I think we were solid quiet water paddlers with rescue skills, but in no way ready to bear our responsibilities in a CAM trip of even a level 2. For that reason, we did not participate in any other outings last season except the Cold Water session in late fall. Most trips posted looked too long or at L3, so we felt we could not participate safely. We set our selves towards gaining endurance by paddling the local rivers we know so well, getting out on short coastal trips to areas we felt we could handle and eagerly awaited the pool sessions this winter so we could get those rolls down (which we both did – me just this past Saturday – sans paddle float!!). We’re gearing up and now feel ready to join, tentatively, L2 and maybe easy L3 trips in areas we are familiar with. I just hope some L2 trips are posted, as there seems to be a dearth of those, which I understand. My husband and I have talked recently about building up paddling endurance and thought of posting our own trips for L1 and L2 levels for others to join us for just that reason. However, I am very nervous about doing that as here’s how I picture it: getting to the beach and finding beginners who don’t have enough equipment or experience and after discussion, if they don’t bow out, then we would have to decide not to paddle with them or greatly modify the outing. We are in no way ready to be leaders in the traditional sense with full responsibility. We are ready to take a leadership role by joining a group, participating actively, adding our knowledge to the collective and stepping up when needed that day. So yes, I understand when folks don’t post CAM trips as they don’t want ‘me’ showing up and having to take some measure of responsibility for me. As for the designated Leader model, for me personally, I’m not sure it makes much sense. Even then, each person should be equipped, familiarized with the day’s events and ready to take on a leadership role – like a modified CAM with a de facto leader. In summary, we wholeheartedly believe in the CAM model. As much as we were dedicated to kayaking properly and safely, the CAM model was a further push to ensure that we truly do so. We hope to participate more this season in the group in CAM trips and someday be able to teach others as much as we have learned even in this short time. Cathy

In the upper right, there is a button that says 'edit profile'. At least there is when I look at my profile . . .

Just sent a check for 2 people for 1/7 #1 session.

Put a check in the mail today for 2 people at the 1st four sessions.

Robert and I will be there too!!

My husband and I will be there, really!

Great minds think alike!! :-)

I'd be happy to loan it to you - are you going to the June 5 CAM session? Start a personal conversation if you'd like to borrow it.

I just finished an interesting book on heuristics: On Second Thought by Wray Herbert. It's a fascinating read on the human mind! At the beginning he discusses studies done of avalanche victims and several heuristics that play a role in the victims' decision making, including the 'familiarity' heuristic. The summary is that the avalanche victims tended to be experienced skiers/hikers in familiar terrain. Basically, the brain does not make decisions as actively and as well in a familiar environment as it does in an unfamiliar environment. There are also other heuristics in play that guide the decision to even start the trip, even when it might not be advisable or cause a group/person to continue when they should turn back. Exerpt from this section of the book here: My link It's important for everyone, including paddlers, to be aware of the way our minds work to prevent the 'shortcut' decision making that can make for a bad day.

We need to rescind our RSVP. We ordered drysuits in early April hoping they would arrive by now, but have not. HOpefully they'll be here by the session at the end of May . . .

Can't remember if we RSVP'd, but my husband and I will be there. We do not have helmets as we don't make a habit of playing in the rocks - will bike helmets do? Cathy