Trip report: Old Quarry Campgrounds, Stonington, Maine

These are the minutes from the Sebago Canoe Club trip to Stonington, Maine on July 12 to 18, 2009. All relevant committees reporting.

Cruising committee: All members present and accounted for at beginning and at end of trip: Walter, Tony, Dottie, Fran, Shari, Elizabeth and Denis.

We arrived to find a beautiful, newly built bunkhouse on the lovely Old Quarry Ocean Adventures grounds. The launch site was just below us--we never re-loaded the boats until it was time to go home. Off the coast were multiple little islands, which we visited as follows:

Monday: Green Island (Elizabeth's favorite, of course!) has an old abandoned quarry, where you can swim and have lunch, which we did. The water is naturally collected rainwater, and it is bracing but delightful. Little fishies might check you out. We stopped also at Steve's Island I believe that day. Despite some late afternoon wind, we landed safely back at Old Quarry, where the Hospitality committee served an excellent dinner.

Tuesday: We went to...the island with the trees and the granite rocks...then to the one with the rocks and the trees. What can I say, Walter has the chart and he will show you. One of the stops was the island where the footings for the Brooklyn Bridge came from! I thought of all the men who died building the Brooklyn Bridge, and wondered if less famous men had died in granite quarries for our bridge. It was quite a feeling to stand on that same bit of stone and look at the wonderful natural setting--I will give the bridge a fond pat and a shout-out from its brother stone next time I am down there. (I would have taken a stone with me, but we were very strict in our Leave No Trace practices.) It was a great day of paddling, with clear blue skies and good cheer all around. And lobster for dinner, cooked on site by Captain Bill.

Wednesday: The Hard Core Salty Dogs (Dottie, Walter and Tony) made an early departure for Isle Au Haut.
View Larger Map This is a far paddle, perhaps 15 miles or more round trip. Normal people do not do this. As a matter of fact, I bumped into people the whole next day, who started conversations with "Did you hear there were some people who actually PADDLED over to Isle au Haut? Can you believe it?" Yes I can. Walter reports that his greeting at the Isle au Haut General Store was "paddled ovah I hear;" thus we see the Salty Dogs reputations preceded them. Chalk one up for Sebago fame and fortune. The remaining travelers supported the local economy by purchasing jewelry, a bird feeder, and various and sundry other items. We also made a stop at Brooklin, which had no hipsters and no bridge. In the photo (to be posted) you can see us correcting the spelling error for the town. Ice cream was had by all.

The HCSD's were off the water early, and we all got cleaned up and went to a concert at the Stonington Opera House. We saw an amazing performance by two of these guys. (Aren't you glad the Cruising Committee knows how to embed links?) in which they sang all kinds of folk songs from the immediate vicinity. Some were bawdy, some funny, and some touching. It was a remarkable performance. The instruments included accordion, guitar, banjo, fiddle, and shoes on a wooden plank, as is seen in Quebecois and Maritime folk music as well. Sebago got culture, yo.

Thursday: More paddling, more beautiful weather, and a trip to Wreck Island. By afternoon, there was a bit of fog wisping over Isle au Haut, so we paddled our butts back to camp before the real weather could roll in (and roll in it did--fierce thunder and lightening, but we were high and dry by then). Denis and I were in a tandem that day, which was a good thing when it was time to really put our heads down and paddle like crazy. As we passed Shari's Island with Shari's Amazing Summer Home Compound with Room for Many Guests, which she will buy when her Ship Comes In, we knew Old Quarry was just around the bend, and like the old grey mare who sees the barn, Denis and I paddled to our rental dock. Phew.

Friday: Drive home. This part sucked. All arrived safely.

Hospitality committee: Wow, these people can sure eat and drink. Pots and pots of coffee (sorry, Fran), yogurt, scones, cereal, and fruit for breakfast; packed lunches of PBJ and some goodies in their dry bags; dinner out some nights and in other nights. It was a non-stop feast. Local goat cheese from the "leave the money in the cigar box" refrigerator; tuna steaks from a fish caught off a party boat, and Bill's lobster as mentioned above. When a crucial ingredient was missing at the last second, Bill gallantly supplied it from his own fridge. (It was tonic.) Wines included: Happy Camper, Menage a Trois White, Menage a Trois Red (keep dreaming, boys) Mandolina various varietals, port, big honkin' bottle of Yellow Tail and...um, I forgot after that. But paddling burns calories, right? Let's hope so, because we ate fresh local pie every night.


Safety committee: All members and all gear returned to Sebago in good shape. We battled bravely against mosquitos, and although many battles were fought to victory, we must report that the mosquitos won the war. There was one participant who threatened bodily harm against other members. There was talk of chopping off heads with a machete, using the remains of said victims as chum or as bait in lobster pots, etc. Thankfully no machete was available. Apparently, this tirade was related to the nocturnal snoring habits of some Sebago members. The complaintant was appeased with wine, vodka, tonic and lime. Committe budget will include earplugs in the future.

Culture committeee: As was already reported, we had an outing to the Stonington Opera House, but we also had a poetry reading by our own Denis on Thursday night. This was well received by all who were still awake and not too drunk yet. Denis is a talented poet. In response to the folk music we enjoyed, many songs have been written on this trip in the Down East Deer Isle tradition. Some are not appropriate for reporting in the minutes. These songs have not been written down as of yet, but, as in all folk traditions, improve with age and reputation (like wine). Particularly the song Frannie on the Waves, or was it Adrift in a Plastic Boat...

Membership committee: Membership brochures were given to a local paddler who is planning to circumnavigate Manhattan in October; to a couple from Long Beach, NY, and to Captain Bill, who now operates Sebago's northernmost membership outreach department.

Naturalist committee: We saw porpoises right in front of us, bald eagles right above us and some saw harbor seals (not me, alas). Wildflowers everywhere, including wild iris. They got a lot of nature up in there. It's breathtaking. The stars at night are thick, thick like soup.

This concludes the report (for now anyway) of the Sebago Crusing Committee and all other relevant committees. Smart paddlers are advised to keep an eye out for notices from the Cruising Committee as they are posted, and reserve spots early. We have fun wherever we go.

Respectfully submitted,
Shari

Shari goes to the Cabin for July 4 weekend...Where's Minh editon

I spent the weekend at the cabin at the lake. If you have not been there lately (or ever) you should go. The cost is not very much and the green, relaxing, watery sensation is extremely strong. It seems that there is always someone around to talk to, someone to paddle with, someone to spit up on you (hi, Baby Dean) and someone who knows what flower or bird or critter you are looking at (usually it's Mary who knows the birds and Adele who knows the flowers, but it can vary). There is typically too much food, all of it delicious, and old friends and new. Note to self: read your own old blog posts and you will see that you always say "I should go up more" when you come back. So go!

The only thing missing this weekend was Minh. How long should these veggies cook? Oh, if only Minh were here! Where do we keep that thing? Minh knows. And so it went, from Friday to Monday.

So, if you go, plan to go with Minh, and plan to have a fun time. I paddled a bit, walked a bit and snoozed a bit every day. What could be better?

Sebago goes to City of Water Day: Like Butter (milk)

The Metropolitan Waterfront Alliance, a wonderful grass roots organization (hey, wait a minute, what's the water equivalent of a grass roots organization? algae? reeds? mangrove? Leave your suggestions in the comments) put together an amazing day at Governor's Island called City of Water. (Look at me, all linky!) Boats converged from all over the city, via the Hudson, the East River, and all Harbor approaches. Big yellow water taxis next to bright green kayaks (yeah, that's me in the bright green kayak and the shades)next to retired fire boat Harvey, next to war canoes, next to giant ferry boats, all sharing the water and all enjoying the day.

Sebago is a member of the Alliance, and, as such, we were thrilled to be part of the day. Our role was to show that kayakers use the estuary too. John, our fearless Commodore, handled the logistics of the day. Two paddlers, M and L, left the dock at dawn, and paddled all the way to Governor's Island. They are made out of better stuff than me (kevlar maybe). The rest of us (approximately 14 paddlers) made our way via car to Valentino Pier in Red Hook to launch. If you've never pulled a trailer full of kayaks through Brooklyn, you should try it: we sure were turning heads. One bicyclist at a red light stuck her head in the window--"See you later on Governor's Island!"

We met up with the Gowanus Dredgers, and by about 11 am, we were all launched and ready to go. Valentino Pier has a rough, gravel "beach" to launch from, not quite as fancy as the dock-to-be on the Sebago blueprints, not even as nice as our current dock, but wow, as soon as you pull out of the inlet, you are greeted by none other than Lady Liberty herself, green as can be and looking straight at you. Take a right, avoiding the rocks, and you are in Buttermilk Channel. Buttermilk is smooth, I thought, and creamy, and good for what ails you (as my uncle always insisted) and our paddle was just that. We had a safety boat babysitting us, and a clear passage from the Coast Guard (hi boys!)and we just bobbed along, going with the current, enjoying the sun and the mild breeze and before you knew it, we had covered the mile-and-a-half or so, and we were hauling boats up the gangplank and onto the lawn. Onwards to the participants' lunch!


View Larger Map

Governor's Island is beautiful and has a lot of history (look it up yourself, I'm linked out). It was a fort and then the Coast Guard (hi boys) had it for 30 years, and then the city got it, but there was a lot of disagreement about what to do with it, and now it is...just for fun it seems. How long until someone figures out how to cover the whole thing with condos? I suggest you get out there soon.

Some of us laid around, some took walks and went into the historical buildings, some rode the trolley, some went to the concert, some to the art exhibits, and some to the environmental exhibits. It was really cool. Tons of people from all over the city were there, all enjoying a perfect day.

By 3 pm, we were back in our boats. Buttermilk. They make buttermilk (traditionally) by...CHURNING cream into butter, and the dregs that are left is the buttermilk. The paddle back definitely had some churning water, perhaps even a few churning stomachs. The pleasant breeze was now a strong wind in our faces. What was the other thing my uncle said about buttermilk? Oh yeah, he said it puts hair on your chest! I have never actually drank any myself. Ick.

We landed on the Valentino gravel and loaded up the boats. Back to the club to wash the gear and put it away. It was a long day, with a large schlep factor, but totally fun and worth it.

Thanks to John for herding cats, and thanks to MWA for a great day, and thanks to the City for Governor's Island existing, and thanks to the safety boats for keeping us company (hi boys...oh I already said hi) and thanks to Insert your Favorite Deity for the water and the sky and land (not feeling so thankful right now for the wind, sorry).

See Donald's photos of the day here. Thanks, Donald!

MWA's motto is Solutions for a Healthy Shared Harbor, and we were all part of the solution on Saturday. It was a real day of water solidarity. No, that can't be right, that would be ice. A day of damp collaboration? Well, it was just a great day.

Shari Goes on a "Real" Paddle

Yesterday was one of Tony's "paddles for people who are members but who are also beginners" which was an idea I strongly supported and so was glad to attend. Yes, even though I have done Star 1 and Star 2 (although I did receive dock detention during Star 2 and got left back, a story documented in earlier posts I believe) and even though I have paddled quite a bit at the lake, I still consider myself a true beginner. Apparently being membership chair does not actually improve your paddling skills, this was only a rumor.

Seven hearty paddlers set out (and seven returned, if you don't feel like reading this whole post) at around 3 pm from the Sebago dock. We pleasantly paddled along the shoreline, crossed Mill Basin Channel (insert cranky jet ski complaints, power boat complaints, gas guzzling taunts, etc. as you see fit; I actually enjoy a jet ski or a power boat once in a while) and pulled up on Floyd Bennett Field for a rest. Walter checked out the Busman's Road-eo, an event where NYC transit bus drivers show off their skills on obstacle courses and the like. A true busman's holiday as it were. Beth came through with a hatch full of excellent snacks. TIP FOR TODAY: Strawberries that are slightly under-ripe at the store will be perfect by snack time if you store them in a hatch. These can be accompanied by squares of dark chocolate that will be only slightly soft, creating chocolate-wrapped strawberries in the field. This is a top three hatch snack in my book, and made up for my disappointment in the accommodations at Ruffle Bar.

Because next was Ruffle Bar. Often I have heard of kayakers stopping at Ruffle Bar on the way out, on the way back, and so forth. Did you know you cannot get an adult beverage at this bar? This is a sand bar. It's a freaking island is what it is. If you were not in the know, you could think you were on Canarsie Pol. Jamaica Bay does have a history of bootlegging on these islands, so I suppose there might have been a time you could have had some moonshine straight from the still on Ruffle Bar, but alas, not today. (Insert disclaimer that adult beverages are never to be consumed during paddle time, only after docking. This was supposed to be humorous.)

Our stop at Ruffle Bar included a phone call to Fran back at the club: start the grill! Pull the corks! Here we come! Although I had been promised to have the wind at my back and the rising tide to assist me on the way back, my arms were now like two leaden hunks of sorrow hanging off my shoulders, which were busy filling out complaint forms in triplicate. The wind we will not discuss since it did not quite feel like my assistant. I tried to think about seeing my fists cross in front of me to get that core twist, and not deteriorate into the kayak version of the doggy paddle. I will say I was very happy to pass under the Belt Parkway into the shelter of Paerdegat Basin. Isn't there some sort of expression about the horse seeing the barn? OK, well insert that here.

Before you knew it, we had the boats washed and the gear sorted out, and Fran was slapping those burgers on those buns. We had a remarkable pot luck of extremely delicious things, not the least of which was salad from the garden. That was definitely the best salad ever. You missed it, that's all I'll say. There were two kinds of wine and two kinds of beer, none bootlegged.

So why is this more than a typical Sebago afternoon paddle? Because it was really a stretch for me, but I did it. In typical Sebago fashion, I had plenty of assistance, plenty of babysitting, plenty of advice, but hey, I can actually move my arms enough to type this today. Which I was not expecting to be able to do. When the "real" paddlers talk about heading over to the bird sanctuary, or to that place in Rockaway, or to Kings Plaza, well, gee, based on
View Larger Map(another first for me, anyone who has a tip sheet on this can pass it along) it seems like maybe I could almost do it. Tony says this trip was about 8 miles or even more, but I can't figure out how to make the blue lines tell me their lengths now that they are drawn...I suppose I could re-draw them to get a closer estimate of the distance. But no matter how far it was, it was truly my first time and so I thought you should all know. Seven went out, seven returned, Fran cooked, and I guess I passed some sort of test. Now, off to soak my arms in ice.

Notes to self, for the next time I stay at the cabin for a class

1. Don't party too hearty on Friday night. This leads to a slow start on Saturday morning
2. It is always cooler at the cabin than I think it will be. Bring an extra fleece or two.
3. Check the screen door for squeaks before bedtime. If it is squeaking, find Philippe and have him fix it. Do this before you (or he) break rule #1 above. Or use Mary's plan: tie up the screen door and use the solid door. This is a weather-based decision.
4. Kayakers snore. I think they snore more than the general population and I would entertain theories on this, but tip 4 is bring ear plugs.
5. Check your hatch covers when you are assigned a new boat. On some boats, the plastic outside hatch cover doesn't do much but hold on the neoprene inner cover. You should put that thing on. Otherwise your stern will fill with water when you do Eskimos, and you will be swamping, and Pete will have to carry you to the dock on his bow like you are a baby monkey clinging to the mama's fur (actually a great way to travel) while Jerry tows your soon-to-be submarine back to the dock. That makes a person tired. OK, it makes 3 people tired.
6. Even though it is really fun to ride on the bow like a monkey girl, put on the damn hatch covers. (just reinforcing tip 5).
7. Listen to the traffic report before leaving the parking lot. Get a better upstate/Jersey map.
8. Going to the lake is cooler than doing homework, housework or yardwork. Going to the lake makes me happy. So I should go more. There is always someone interesting to spend time with and I get to kayak too. Why is that so complicated?
9. Remember to thank everybody one extra time. So thanks, to eveybody!
10. Bring your blue hat.

Officer of the Day

Officer of the day, that's me! Well, it was Marty in the morning, but it was me in the afternoon. I set up my office on the set of benches near the front gate--the "membership office" sign was there waiting for me, and I propped my feet on a stump, set up my brochures and my club phone, and there I was, doing my work. Really, I mostly watched a sparrow take a dip in the blue birdbath, and I listened in on a domestic disturbance in the parrot nest--very heated discussion. I think a saw another bird later in the day try to slip into the parrots' front door, but he was shortly shown the way out.

Customers? Just one. A lovely lady from Prospect Heights, who had seen us on the internet. I gave her the grand tour, with Pete's help. She hopes to come back on Wednesday night for an open paddle. A few club regulars visited, but mostly, I marked final exams that were overdue to be graded. I anticipated a hot day, but the ocean breeze was blowing, as delightful a day as can be.

Five o' clock, lock the gates, head off to a BBQ and now home. But I have some concerns: so far I have not had any comments on my blog postings--is anyone reading me? And does everyone know about brooklynparrots.com? You got to love the parrots--a true NYC immigrant story. I am writing a children's book about them....in my free time....

Remembering our armed forces this Memorial Day.......Shari

Open House

We had our annual open house on Saturday, May 19. The weather was grey only part of the time; the rest of the time was gloomy. Despite the drizzle, we had a good turn-out, and quite a few new members were enrolled! Allan from EMS had a table of kayak swag, and was generously giving out water bottles and coupons all day (I think I linked you to the B'way and Houston Street store just now...my first blog link). At 3 pm, he held a drawing for all the goodies, and I got the most coveted item--the blue hat. Now, I am not really a hat person, but the blue hat may just be the thing to get me past that! I have a list going of all the women who want to borrow it--I better put my name in that hat, and fast.

Fran and her sous-chef (I don't know his name, sorry) were working double-time on the grill, cranking out delicious hot dogs, burgers and chicken. There was plenty to eat and drink all day. The stove was kept stoked and was a place to meet and greet throughout the afternoon.

All told, we had parks people, politicians, families with little kids, sailors, kayakers, and assorted happy visitors. It was good to visit with old friends and make some new connections. In true Sebago fashion, those without cars were ferried off to wherever they needed to end up at the end of the day.

And the water? Well, I did not go near it myself, but it looked like many people got some good time out on the water early in the day, before the weather really got raw. Thankfully, we always manage to have fun, by sea or by land.

For those who did not make it to the open house but still would like to see what Sebago is all about, we have open paddles on Wednesday nights and Saturday mornings starting after Memorial Day...or just wander down any weekend to see what's going on. Check out the website for more info on open paddles.
I look forward to seeing all our visitors back at Sebago soon!

------------Shari with the blue hat