Joyce Carpenter

After arrival, we spent time on the beach talking about dry suits, cold water, signs and symptoms of hypothermia, etc. Rob had some excellent examples of items one can use to warm someone who has spent enough time in the cold to be very chilled, but not so bad off as to need medical attention. The ideas about layering for both ourselves as we dressed in our dry suits and for warming someone else were very good. Getting us all into the dry suits was an adventure. But once we were in with zippers done, we learned to burp. Then it was into the water, and more burping. This was my first time in a dry suit so the experience of going into the water and not getting wet was odd. Very odd!! After a few minutes, we were feeling the cold. We spent some time warming up and discussing various safety issues on the beach. Then it was into our spray skirts and PFDs and back into the water for some swimming. We didn't get far, but we all found some methods of moving ourselves through the water. And then it was back the beach. The brave amongst us (which did not include this author) took boats out and did some wet exits and rescues. I'll try it next time. Promise. Boats on cars, sometime in the sun, and we called it a day. An excellent day! Huge THANK YOU to Rob for a wonderful day!! I also send special thanks to Cathy for the use of her dry suit.

Either Seabrook or Glouchester work for me, with a bit of a preference for Seabrook. Either 10 or 11 sounds fine. I wasn't planning to bring my boat. Would that still work?

Cathy -- Very nice offer! And since Rob won't need to borrow it, I'd love to. I'll PM you to be sure.

I don't have a dry suit, but I'm curious to try one. I know I can rent one for the day at my local scuba shop. Would that makes sense or is this really intended to test "my" dry suit rather than "a" dry suit? Thanks, Joyce PS I would only be able to make the 4/21 date.

Katherine, that was a terrific party! Great food, great company, great ambiance. Thanks so much for pulling it all together!

Thanks. I'll make it vegetarian safe. But vegans beware! If I were to leave out the cream and eggs, I'd have to change the name to something like "dried out veggies in a pie shell".

Can women wear kilts as well? That would solve my what-to-wear dilemma.

I'll bring quiche since it can be either an app or entry depending on the greater need, or my arrival time. I don't plan to get lost along the way, but one never knows. Are there enough vegetarians in this group that I should avoid bacon/ham?

First, Christopher, thank you so much for getting us together for a terrific paddle! I'm so glad I was able to make it. What a terrific night. Next, Lisa, thank you very very much for the documentation of the terrific night. I have to admit that I IMMEDIATELY uploaded that pic of the group that you have above to my Facebook account. There are so many people there I wanted to make jealous. I'm sure I succeeded. Sometimes I, too, think that living in the woods isn't the best choice, but then I remember that I can drive to coast for paddling in the summer and go snowshoeing out my backdoor in winter. I'm guessing those Rockport people don't come enjoy our woods over icy roads as we can go enjoy their coast.. We get the best of both worlds.

Yippee!!! See you about 6:30 - 7:00 USA time

In the US, the 24-hour clock is generally referred to as "military time." Please stick to Friday this time! I've been planning it since missing the last one, and can't make Saturday this weekend. It's probably a good idea to vary them now and then from Fri to Sat, but it's probably also best to stick with the plan this close. The September event seems far enough out to switch if you wanted.

I'll be there around 5 as well. I'll be happy to help Peter's friend with wet exits and some rescues. And someone can help me with rolls or Cathy can help me with that balancing act she was telling me about ;-).

I didn't make it yesterday but do hope to come next week. Les, any night you'd be going and able to continue helping me learn to roll, I'd like to join you. For the next few weeks probably any weekday would work so long as I knew the night before to put the boat on the car.

Katherine, Thanks so much for getting us all together for another wonderful day! I was so proud of us for staying together and only earning a few demerits for paddling in front of the leader. Thanks also to our honorary lady for all the helpful hints along the way! See you in September, Joyce

I'll be there for the swim event for sure and most probably for the after event paddle. NDK boats sounds interesting ... --Joyce

Pru, congrats! BCU who? Can someone explain the reference for this newbie? Thanks, Joyce EDIT: Nevermind. This thread might have it http://www.nspn.org/forum/index.php?showtopic=8864

Katherine, excellent tip. Thanks!!

Planning to be there!

Since I'm helping out at the Swim and Fin on Saturday in Salem, I'm thinking about finding some place down there to stay on Saturday night instead of driving back and forth two days in a row. I'll probably just do the driving, but I wonder if anyone has any suggestions for a decent place. Since I'll just be showering and sleeping, it certainly doesn't need to be fancy -- just clean and safe, and preferably cheap. Any suggestions? Thanks, Joyce

John & Ed: Thanks for the contradiction confirmation and the cases. Lots to think about! Gene: As a Jersey girl, I understand it completely. It's the sort of humor I often use to belittle others.

Katherine, as one of the newer members, I was remembering my defense of Ladies Paddles. This group (apparently rightly to some extent) has a reputation for being a bunch of know-it-alls. I want to learn from more experienced paddlers, but people who can't imagine situations outside of their usual experience are unlikely to make good teachers. I've learned a great deal from this thread. I don't have a radio, don't know if I ever will, but I have lots more circumstances to think about when I consider one. Thanks to Rob and all the cases discussed for that! Thanks to Ed for the overview of radio communications. One question, though. Is "over and out" a contradiction?

I'm planning on it. Essex always sounds good to me!

I love ERBA! They are definitely geared toward first-time paddlers, but I've gone on various paddles with them over the last couple years and always had very good experiences. Something I would not say about Plum Island Kayaks, btw. ERBA's guides are probably not the most experienced overall (they do their own training), but I've never seen them give anyone bad advice. I take it not everyone has the same good experience that I've had. I'm really sorry to infer that.

is there much concern about weather for tonight? I have a long drive (esp in Friday traffic), so I may need to make an early decision about whether or not to chance it. Any thoughts?

The park was closed at 5 when i came past on my way home. I'm glad you didn't waste your time. Hope to see you soon! --Joyce