Lake W

Since kiting is prohibited for me for another month, I'm boating and exploring places where no sensible human would normally go to kite.   Lake Winnipesaukee- Boated Alton Bay to Stonedam Island for a little island hiking in Fall foliage. It's crowded up here! I thought people went to New Hampshire to get away from it all. Stonedam Island is the only island I can find in the lake that isn't privately owned and lined with boathouses and docks. I'll have to go back to Boston or The Cape to have a little elbow room.          36 miles, 3 to 3.5 gallons gas, cruising around 20 to 24 MPH, no wind.     I have a new prop on my outboard. The old one was attracted to sandbars. My max speed is back up to 26MPH, 5800 RPM. If I trim it out just right, no wind, no current, I can just hit 27 MPH. The boat feels a little skittish at about 25 MPH and up.

Casco Bay

Oct 3rd- My right eye develops 3 tears in the retina due to a vitreous detachment gone wrong. A little laser surgery mostly fixes it up but it needs time to heal. No kiting, jogging, mountain climbing, working out for 8 weeks. Ouch! Oct 22nd- I'm cleared to boat and do easy hikes. I'm not asking twice. I launch from Bug Light Park, Portland. A sign says no overnight parking without prior approval. Oops. But I don't get ticketed, maybe because it's so late in the season. I cross Casco Bay in glassy water, hike, then anchor for the night in Long Cove, Harpswell Sound. I'm so glad to be back in the great big outdoors! Hiking- Cliff Trail and Devils Back Trails in Harpswell. Devils Back Trails are really nice, pine forest with constant water views. But my favorite spot is a trail through golden bittersweet on Little Chebeague Island on the way back to Portland. Kiting Spots- I see nothing enticing in my entire trip. It's mostly pine trees and rocks, hilly, rugged and beautiful, but very few sandy beaches. Lots of islands close to each other to disrupt the wind. Between Little and Great Chebeague Islands are some sand bars at dead low that could be fun in the right wind direction. Might be gusty though. Note- some areas in Casco Bay are completely filled with lobster pot buoys. 2 days, 50 miles round trip, 4 to 5 gallons of gas, averaging about 20 MPH, zero wind. I'm sure my gas milage would go down in rougher water because I would have to constantly adjust speed to smooth out the waves.

260 Miles in a Bathtub

Fire Island Sunrise Connecticut River to Fire Island NY Friday Old Saybrook, Baldwin Bridge Boat Ramp. Launched my bathtub at sunset. Anchored in a shallow cove near the mouth of the Conn river by moonlight. Was grounded on a sandbar for 4 hours in the morning. Oops. Saturday Crossed Long Island Sound to Orient Point, 8 miles open ocean. Kited on a sandbar near Gardiners Island until a security boat told me that the sandbar was private. Oops. Anchored in Montauk Harbor overnight. Gardiner's Very Exclusive Sandbar Sunday Found a secluded Anchorage in Northwest Harbor for the night after a beautiful walk through the Walking Dunes in Napeague. They're called the Walking dunes because they walk right across trees and forests. I couldn't actually see them walking. Napeague, Dunes Walking Across Trees   Monday Kited on Cedar Island. Climbed some scenic cliffs. Went through Shinnecock canal and lock. My gas tank fitting broke, bilge pump malfunctioned and I found a slow leak on a seam of the boat under where I keep my tools. Oops. Anchored near the canal and a marina for evening. Cedar Island Sunrise I always like to dry clean my wardrobe before neatly folding and putting away Tuesday Tied up at Great Gun Marina for night. But first I bought a new bilge pump and gas fitting at that nice marina that I slept near. Then I celebrated making it to Fire Island! Had the whole public marina to myself. 52 slips, I was the only occupied boat. Took my first shower in 4 days. Scary cold shower. Open Tent Closed Tent Wednesday Anchored in a buggy marsh near the Smith Point Bridge for sleepytime after visits to the Sunken Forest and Cherry Grove. Cherry Grove is for hobbits. Cherry Grove with Fire Island's Famous Boardwalks Cherry Grove Ambulance Thursday Spent another peaceful night at Great Gun after spending the whole day lazing around the marina, waiting for wind so I could kite the ocean side point break (sandbar/point). Love this spot! Endless fine white sand dunes devoid of human activity. Jogged to Moriches inlet then took another scary cold shower. Had a chat with a local boater, Robin. Thanks for the beer, (or 2). Great Gun Marina After 2 Beers Friday Snorkeled in north end of Shinnecock Bay. Lots of Blue Crabs. Made me hungry. Went through Locks again. Anchored in North Sea Harbor overnight, not my favorite anchorage. Shinnecock Lock, Waiting for the Green Saturday Left the bathtub anchored in Majors Harbor, went for a soul satisfying 6 mile hike (round trip) through Mashomack Preserve to a general store for some fresh eats. Signs say NO BOAT LANDING but friendly Shelter Harbor Patrol boat told me just anchor offshore and swim in. Next time I'm doing the whole 10 mile hike! Or else. Anchored in Cocles Harbor, Shelter Island for bedtime, very nice cove. Fields of Gold in Mashomack Preserve Sun Morning Motored to Orient point in intermittent dense fog. Waited 1 hour for fog to clear. It didn't. Crossed Long Island Sound in intermittent dense fog, One hand on my air horn, constantly scanning around me, slowing to 5 MPH at times. Couldn't count on a big boat seeing my little bathtub in the mist. Glad for a safe crossing but very sad for my adventure to be over. Now I'm trying to relive it here. It's not the same. Limited Visibility Total- 9 days, 9 nights, 260 miles, 1 gas tank fitting, 1 bilge pump, 1 leak. B B Kiting Spots: The Inland Bays- Peconic, Gardiners, Shelter Island Sound, had places to kite but they weren't that exciting. Napeague was a stand out for- NW wind strength, a shallow safe spot in all wind directions, and secluded, scenic. The Coastal Bays- Shinnecock, Moriches, Bellport, Great South Bay. I saw beautiful inviting spots all along the way. Great Gun Marina on Fire Island had the best wave spot I saw. Old Inlet in Bellport Bay had nice waves and slicks but watch for tides, and for sandbars boating in and out. Sandbars inside Shinnecock inlet looked enticing. I couldn't actually try any of the really nice spots. Zero wind. That means I have to go back next year for two weeks. It's officially on my bucket list.

Chocoura With Ben

Hiked Mt Chocorua with Ben as a last hurrah before he heads back to Tufts on Sat. Ahh, it was nice. A perfect day for it. Sunny, with temp in upper 60's. Lively hike and livelier conversation. Ben, Asleep on Top of the World  Mt Chocorua, 3850 ft, Champney Falls Trail, Easy 7 miles, 4.5 hours.

Beached Whale

I take the bathtub out in Long Island Sound to test her out and explore some new kiting beaches. I'm on Flat Hammock Island when this beast beaches itself. Wow! And people say that my bathtub is a little unique. This is a boat that knows about unique. Kitesurfed, Bluff Point, Groton, CT, 10-18, NW, 17M Fat Lady/Flx 138

Building a Better Bathtub

Hey I've got the new outboard working on my bathtub! I just had to raise the transom, install my home made steering console, steering wheel, steering cables, throttle and shift controls, battery, gauges, wiring. No problem. I work feverishly on it with almost every second of my spare time for 2 months. Building my New Steering Console Building my New Transom Old Transom was Too Low New Motor, New Transom, Gas Filter, Bilge Pump, Structural Bracing New Console, Gauges, Chartplotter, Throttle, Forward Hatches (with Striped Padding) My bathtub is much improved! But it's still a bathtub.

Birding for Kiting

Andre and I fill the back seat of his helicopter with kiting gear, take the bird to Martha's Vineyard for an after work session. This is the kind of birding I really enjoy! I wonder if I should feel guilty about flying at 100 MPH over the traffic jams below. I don't. This is the scenic route. Getting there is as much fun as the kiting. Charles River               Boston Harbor The Approach to Katama Bay     Kitesurfed, Martha's Vineyard- Katama Bay, SW 12-18, 17M Fat Lady/Flex 138 with Andre.

Getting Down in Delaware

I make the short drive to Delaware for a little kiting in Rehobeth Bay. This is a pretty nice shallow water spot for kiting. It doesn't seem to have water that's over waist deep at low tide. Friendly crowd. Nice place to visit so they say. Rehobeth Bay Oh yeah, while I'm here I pick up a new/old motor for my boat that I bought online. On the way home I sleep in the back of my truck snuggled up next to my sleek motor in a New Jersey Turnpike rest area. Isn't that a cozy image? I have happy dreams.

The Fog of Kiting

Fog. Nothing good is happening at Hardings. I drive to Chatham light where the fog is a little thinner. The flag on the South Beach Flotsam Shack is stiff! The meter still says 5 mph. Yeah, somebody's lying. Flotsam Shack I walk out to the New Cut and  have a fine12 meter session in the mist. I'm overpowered. I'm underpowered. I kite to the Old New Cut and Stage Harbor. I'm lost in the fog. Some of the fog is lost in me. This is good. Fog goes into my brain, worries go out. New Cut, High Tide, Small Pool in the Marsh The New Cut has a tiny pool at high tide and some waves at the opening. It's a little Gusty in SW from the wind coming across Stage Island. It might be fun in a S to NE wind. Waves at New Cut Opening, Side Off Wind Chatham New Cut, Kitesurfed, SW, 12-28, 12M Rally/Flx 138, Solo. Where else have I been kiting this Spring? Few times at Chapin, Nahant, Horseneck. I had an afterwork session at Dog with Andre. He's getting about 50% of his slide transitions. Yay!

Making the Cut

Cuts happen, especially in Chatham. I kite out from Hardings to the newest one, stopping at the old new cut on the way out and Stage Harbor on the way back. The beachscape changes quickly around here! It's hard for a poor kiter to keep up. The Newest Cut, shrouded in mystery Boats are going to like the newest cut. It looks deep enough for most even at dead low. Not any particular attraction here for kiting though. The old new cut and Stage Harbor still hold the jewels for kiters. This (massive) delinquent buoy was trying to run away from home, until it got tripped up by South Beach. Click on pics to see full size. I put away my mountaineering boots and have been kiting since the end of March. It's great to be on the water again! Kitesurfed, Hardings Beach, WSW, 15-22, 10M Rally/ Mako 150, Solo

Hiking Summary

Hiking Summary 2017-2018 Winter  Warm Ups 10/21/17    Saco Bay, Harpswell, Cliff Trail, Devils Back Trail, a few miles. 10/22/17    Saco Bay, Little Chebeague Island, a few miles. 10/29/17    Lake Winnipesaukee, Stonedam Island, a few miles. 11/4/17      Monadnock, White Dot, Cliff Trail 5 miles. 11/11/17    Monadnock, Pumpelly Trail, White Dot, double peak, (up down up down), 12 miles. 11/18/17    Sandy Neck, Cape Cod, 11 miles. 11/25/17    Monadnock, Pumpelly Trail, Smith, White Arrow Trail, 1.25 peaks. 10 miles. 12/3/17      Lincoln/Lafyette, 9 miles, 6 hours, solo. 12/10/17    Monadnock, Red Spot, White Cross, 5 miles, solo. Struggling with sore knees Winter 1/14/18       Liberty and Flume, 10.5 Miles, Solo. More sore knees. I may need to take a break from hiking. Sunrise from Zealand Hut 2016-2017 Winter Lots of day hikes, slept in my truck a lot so I could start early, 2 hut trips, 1 camping trip that turned into a shelter trip due to wet conditions. My goal was to try Winter camping and do more of the NH 4000 footers. I want to see all of the high peaks with their Winter coats. Warm Ups 11/27/16   Monadnock, Red Spot, 4 miles, solo. 12/4/16     Monadnock, I found the Pumpelly Cave! 5 miles, solo. 12/11/16   Monadnock, Pumpelly Cave, 5 miles, solo. 12/17/16   Monadnock, White Dot. 4 miles, solo Winter 12/25/16   Waumbek, 8 Miles. With Starr King, easy hike, no steeps, like Moosilauke, solo. 1/1/17       Osceola/ East Osceola, 7.6 miles. Grey Jays, very steep to East Osceola. Fun slide down. 1/7/17       Moriah, 10 miles, Relatively easy hike on Stony Brook. Beautiful ridge for 1.5 mile, solo. 1/14/17     Zealand, hiked into Zealand hut the day before. No steeps, no views from peak. WHP. 1/15/17     Hale, hiked from Zealand Hut over Hale to cars, no steeps, no views. WHP. 1/21/17     N Kinsman/ S Kinsman, stayed at Kinsman Pond shelter after hike, no steeps, WHP. 1/21/17     Cannon, from Kinsman Pond shelter, over "Cannon Balls", steeps on final 1/2 mile. WHP. 2/5/17       Mid/ S Carter, Loop, cut thru Camp Dodge return, no steeps, 11 miles, 8 hours, solo. 2/11/17     Cabot, 10 miles, 7 hours, no steeps, AMC. 2/19/17     Wildcat A,B,C,D, from/to Carter Notch Hut, some steeps to Wildcat A, WHP. 2/20/17     Carter Dome, from Carter Notch Hut, very steep on hut side, crampons, WHP. 2/26/17     Hancock, S Hancock, some steeps, micro spikes, 10 miles, 7 hours, AMC. 3/5/17       Garfield, gentle hike, mild steeps last 1/4 mile, microspikes, 14 miles, 7.5 hours, Solo.  3/11/17     Table Rock Trail, Grafton Notch, short but beautiful, with Lee.  3/19/17     Pack and North Pack Monadnock, gentle hike, 7 miles, with Jeff, Cora (dog). 8/30/17     Chocura with Ben, 7 miles, 4.5 hours, easier hike than expected.  My favorite 3 hikes were along the Carter Ridge- Moriah, Mid and S Carter, Carter Dome. I loved the  the wind sculptured coating of snow and the stunning intermittent views from the ridge. On my way to Middle Carter 2015-2016 Winter Lots of day hikes, slept in my truck sometimes so I could start hiking at or before sunrise, 1 car camping trip. My main goal was to learn enough and get conditioned enough to make it up Mt Washington. My secondary goal was to make it back down from Washington. Mt Monadnock warm ups in Nov and Dec. 12/9/2015   Completed 2015 Winter Hiking Program, (WHP). 12/12/2015 Jackson, 5 miles, with WHP. 12/13/2015 Chocura, 7 miles, solo. 1/2/2016     Dublin Lake/Mt Monadnock, 11.5 miles, solo. Winter 4000 Footers 1/9/16         Pierce/Eisenhower, 8.5 miles, 6 hours, WHP. 1/17/16       Tecumsah, 5.2 miles, no steeps, solo. 1/24/16       Willey/Field/Tom, 11 miles, 9 hours, Grey Jays eat from hand, mild steeps Willey, solo. 1/31/16       N Kinsman/S Kinsman, 10 miles, no steeps, WHP. 2/6/16         Moosilauke, 10 miles, 7 hours, no steeps, WHP. Very easy hike. 2/14/16       Jackson, 5 miles, 4 hours, no steeps, Solo. 2/21/16       Washington, 8.5 miles, 9 hours, WHP. Lions Head, very steep, very challenging! 3/5/16         Lincoln, Lafayette, 9 miles, beautiful loop hike on Franconia Ridge, no steeps, solo. 3/19/16       Madison, with AMC. 4/3/16         Hancock/ S Hancock, 9.8 miles, Steep approach to S Hancock, solo. 8/24/16       Liberty/ Flume, 10.1 miles, nice hike with Ben! Flume slide trail up, steep. Red- New Hampshire 48 4000 Footers in Winter AMC- Appalachian Mountian Club WHP- AMC Winter Hiking Program Boston Mt Eisenhower Mist