Camden, Maine TSCA row, Saturday Jan. 11

[rbgarr]

The forecast for Saturday morning (at Owls Head anyway) is for partly cloudy and cold with lightish NW wind: http://tinyurl.com/7mynl6

Sunday as the alternate 'snow day' a bit worse.
Do I understand that the row would include stopping off on Curtis Island?

Thanks-

[JMAC]

What is TSCA? I've rowed out to Curtis Island a couple of times, what a gem.

[rbgarr]

TSCA=Traditional Small Craft Association

IIRC this 'event' is a winter row of the Downeast Chapter, but I'm not clear if there is a membership requirement to participate... or even how one becomes a member. I hope secret handshakes aren't involved. I'm a world champion germ-o-phobe! :D;)

[Willin']

Five degrees F outside my kitchen window this AM. You folks is crazy! Any pics?

[rbgarr]

It was delightful!

Six or seven rowing boats, a couple of kayaks, bright sunshine, calm water, a light wind coming off the land with shimmering mirages of islands, buoys and ledges dotting the horizon. I arrived late at the boat ramp with Jamie's old Hawkeye (an effective icebreaker if there ever was one) just as the others were taking off for a joint paddle/row through the North East Passage, out to Bell #2 and back to Curtis Island. They looked for all the world like Vikings approaching from out of the sea.

I rowed straight to the island rather than trying to overhaul and enjoyed circum-skirting its shore, taking photos. All arrived together to land on the beach. A clamber across the island to admire the prospect from the lighthouse, stand in the sun, chat about this and that and puzzle out animal tracks in the snow. A beautiful day, especially given what tomorrow's weather may bring.

Hugh Lane and Ben Fuller were there, as were SRR honchos Tom Jackson and David Wyman. Sam and Susan Manning in their venerable dory and a number of other folks I was introduced to (but whose names I need to do a better job of remembering... no excuse, my bad).

A great potluck followed at Sam and Susan's place high up in the Camden Hills looking out over PenBay. Deeee-licious food and drink: stews, vegetable pie by Karen and Walter Wales, hot cider, fresh baked bread, etc. What a fine way to spend a winter Saturday!

The Downeast Chapter has notions of a future outing down this way on Damariscotta Lake. I've often thought of doing that and now I'll plan on it.

Photos? Sorry, didn't post them because I can't seem to download anything from my memory cards. Perhaps Hugh will drop some in?

Here's a chart of the Camden waters (zoom in on the top third): http://www.charts.noaa.gov/OnLineViewer/13307.shtml

[Hughman]

http://im1.shutterfly.com/media/47b9df31b3127ccec6404fe0bff900000040O00ActWbluzZOG IPbz4K/cC/f%3D0/ps%3D50/r%3D0/rx%3D550/ry%3D400/

http://im1.shutterfly.com/media/47b9df31b3127ccec6408acf7e1c00000040O00ActWbluzZOG IPbz4K/cC/f%3D0/ps%3D50/r%3D0/rx%3D550/ry%3D400/

http://im1.shutterfly.com/media/47b9df31b3127ccec6404d6fbf7700000040O00ActWbluzZOG IPbz4K/cC/f%3D0/ps%3D50/r%3D0/rx%3D550/ry%3D400/

http://im1.shutterfly.com/media/47b9df31b3127ccec640625f7ef800000040O00ActWbluzZOG IPbz4K/cC/f%3D0/ps%3D50/r%3D0/rx%3D550/ry%3D400/

http://im1.shutterfly.com/media/47b9df31b3127ccec641d9161e3800000040O00ActWbluzZOG IPbz4K/cC/f%3D0/ps%3D50/r%3D0/rx%3D550/ry%3D400/

http://im1.shutterfly.com/media/47b9df31b3127ccec641fe075ea200000040O00ActWbluzZOG IPbz4K/cC/f%3D0/ps%3D50/r%3D0/rx%3D550/ry%3D400/

[Hughman]

http://im1.shutterfly.com/media/47b9df31b3127ccec641cf731e5600000040O00ActWbluzZOG IPbz4K/cC/f%3D0/ps%3D50/r%3D0/rx%3D550/ry%3D400/

http://im1.shutterfly.com/media/47b9df31b3127ccec6419885df2300000040O00ActWbluzZOG IPbz4K/cC/f%3D0/ps%3D50/r%3D0/rx%3D550/ry%3D400/

http://im1.shutterfly.com/media/47b9df31b3127ccec641aa5b5ed400000040O00ActWbluzZOG IPbz4K/cC/f%3D0/ps%3D50/r%3D0/rx%3D550/ry%3D400/

http://im1.shutterfly.com/media/47b9df31b3127ccec641ee32dfaf00000040O00ActWbluzZOG IPbz4K/cC/f%3D0/ps%3D50/r%3D0/rx%3D550/ry%3D400/

http://im1.shutterfly.com/media/47b9df31b3127ccec64072417eee00000040O00ActWbluzZOG IPbz4K/cC/f%3D0/ps%3D50/r%3D0/rx%3D550/ry%3D400/

[StevenBauer]

Great pics! Looks like a fine time. I should have hauled a boat up there and joined you. I'm definitely in for the next time. The skiff and the faering are behind a big snowbank at my friend's house but I could have brought the fin-boat.


Steven

[rbgarr]

Looking at the photos it just occurred to me:

Hugh,

Were people wearing PFDs or float coats? I had an inflating vest on but didn't think about others.

[StevenBauer]

The hypothermia would get you before you could sink anyway Dave. :eek: Without a full drysuit you wouldn't last long even with a PFD. I think the real safety device here was being part of the group.


Steven

[Ben Fuller]

PFD's? Mostly not being worn. Par for the course in slick waters I think. Individual discretion was not very discrete. On others where we had more weather more floatation devices appear.

The faering will need a touch up of pine tar at the waterline forward. Not very abrasion resistant. Liten Kuhling is back in the knaust by Cover It, and the plow is back on the truck.

[StevenBauer]

Dave, is Hawkeye a copy of the Lawton tender or the Lawley tender? They share a chapter in the John Gardner book and I never did get it straight.
My finest Hawkeye moment was the early Saturday morning trip all around the mooring field in Newport with Joe and Jamie's not so quiet Seagull outboard. That Seagull was the first thing lots of people heard that morning. :D There sure were some pretty boats moored there.


Steven

[rbgarr]

Dave, is Hawkeye a copy of the Lawton tender or the Lawley tender? They share a chapter in the John Gardner book and I never did get it straight.
Steven

Perhaps you're right about the need for a drysuit at minimum. I had a whistle on my vest in case of emergency. Wonder if I could have caught my breath enough to blow it! :D My safety margin is related to body fat. Sinking is not likely in my case. ;>

I was asked about Hawkeye's design but had no idea. I'd never asked Jamie about it for some reason. It looks very much like the Lawley lines in all details but falls in between the 10 and 12 foot lengths, so who knows.

[StevenBauer]

I know it was one or the other but don't remember which. I can't remember the builder either, though I know Jamie told me. Must be that CRS catching up with me. :)


Steven

[rbgarr]

I'll bite: CRS?

Cranial Rejection Syndrome?
Cancellation of Remembrances System?
Some brand of Scotch?

[Tom Galyen]

Neat posting, and thank you for it. It looks like everyone had a good time.

One point I'd like to make. I always thought you people were in a different time zone, around here Saturday was 10 January 2009. It is now Sunday 11 January 2009. Just thought you'd like to know where the rest of the world (on this side of the International Date Line is.) :) ::)

Tom G. (Seaweed)

[rbgarr]

:D

Yes. I noticed that yesterday after I got back. I corrected it on the subject line in my first post, but it didn't take on the Forums list for some reason.

Another way to look at it to consider Maine's state motto: Dirigo (I lead);)

[FSS172]

I'm sooo envious. Dave - any interest in getting out on the water (weather permitting) as a part of or a lead-up to your EBS on the 24th?

[StevenBauer]

I'm sooo envious. Dave - any interest in getting out on the water (weather permitting) as a part of or a lead-up to your EBS on the 24th?


Hey, that's an idea. A morning row around the Harbor before the EBS. I like it.


Steven

[rbgarr]

I'd considered that. I'll see about throwing "Hawkeye" overboard. She's in a shed behind some snow banks at the moment. I could have her tied up at the float at the town ramp on Townsend Gut, a very pleasant, protected stretch unless the wind is howling out of the NW and the weather is really snotty. There are lobsterboats and sometimes tugs tied up west across the Gut to ogle. I'd hesitate to take a small boat over to the Harbor. Launching would be dicey and there aren't public docks except for the town's which is pretty much lobsterman country in winter and they probably prefer it that way. The Gut ramp is about a quarter mile away from our house with parking if it's been plowed out, which I could/will do if necessary.

If anyone wants to bring kayaks or their own boat....

People could then go out as they wished and poke along the shore and under the swing bridge nearby. Bring PFDs however, if you think you'll do it, and boots that will safely get you up and down the ramp to the float. The tide is high at 9:30 AM or so and low as 4PM approaches. It'll be a row at your own risk deal, of course. No safety boat available.

Let me know what you think as the day approaches.

[Hawkeye's winter name is "Eye's Blink" by the way. ;) ]

I'll co-post this on the EBS thread.

[Tom Jackson]

More photos at this Flickr site:


www.flickr.com/groups/973770@N20/
Tom

[rbgarr]

Tom,

Thanks for those!

[Ben Fuller]

Hard to believe that a week ago we were basking in relatively balmy freezing temps for a pleasant morning row. Now we have sub zero and the sea smoke is spectacular.

http://knox.villagesoup.com/Community/story.cfm?storyID=142522

provides the local story.

[rbgarr]

More photos:

In the lee of Curtis Island
http://i41.tinypic.com/2u8j5uq.jpg

Curtis Island light with an osprey nest on the keeper's house chimney cap
http://i44.tinypic.com/20kbqs4.jpg

The oarsmen off on the horizon
http://i40.tinypic.com/29wmjx1.jpg

Well preserved
http://i36.tinypic.com/2hrfpyo.jpg

View from the keeper's house back door
http://i42.tinypic.com/30i8in9.jpg

[rbgarr]

Boats on the beach
http://i42.tinypic.com/wujslu.jpg

Wandering over to the point where the lighthouse sits
http://i39.tinypic.com/2holg1s.jpg