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Jul 27, 2022: Damariscove Island

Damariscove Island is one of the finest sea kayak trips on the Maine coast.  Mark Nelson joined me for a club trip on a hot summer day.  We paddled out against the tide with a gentle tailwind in calm conditions.  As is often the case, that changed when we reached ledges called The Motions at the southern end of Damariscove.  Large swells and breaking waves were encountered and continued part way into the cove.  We hiked to cliffs on the east side for lunch.  The swells entering the cove had diminished when we exited but navigating between a series of confusing surging waves was necessary.  The winds reversed and we enjoyed a tailwind for the remainder of our voyage.

Participants:  Mark Nelson and TC Ron Chase

 

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Jul 24, 2022: Kennebec River – Carry Brook to West Forks

There were several trips on the second day of the Summer Picnic Weekend.  Nancy and I organized a paddle on the Kennebec from Carry Brook to West Forks.  New member Ken Stickney met us at the ballfield for the shuttle to Carry Brook where we met a sizeable contingent of Chowderheads who had finished the fish flow in the gorge.  The group consisted of an assortment of kayaks, canoes, and inflatable boats.  Everyone successfully navigated large waves in Big Black Rapid.  From that point, it was different strokes for different folks.  Some surfed and played while others floated and socialized.  The weather was superb, the water level excellent, and the company even better.  A great way to end a to an exceptional weekend!

Participants:  Ken Stickney, Deb Harris, Allan Fuller, Krea Galway, Shweta Galway, Ryan Galway, Reid Anderson, Mike Fask, and TCs Nancy Chase and Ron Chase

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Jul 20, 2022: Malaga Island

Four of us met at Bethel Point Landing in Cundy’s Harbor to begin a trip to historic Malaga Island.  Conditions at Bethel Point have improved since my last visit.  Parking near the ramp is now allowed without a permit and a toilet has been installed.  Additional parking is still available nearby for a small fee.  We experienced easy paddling during our traverse through Ridley Cove and past West and East Cundy Points to Malaga.  After landing on the northern end of the island, we carried our boats up onto an ancient shell midden to protect them from the rising tide.  The island owner, Maine Coastal Heritage Trust, has erected a kiosk that provides a history of the island that relates the forced removal of poverty stricken inhabitants by the State of Maine at the beginning of the 20th Century.  They have also constructed a well-designed trail system that circumnavigates the island.  We hiked the entire trail including a spur that led to a scenic location on the rocks on the southwest end where we enjoyed a leisurely lunch.  Our return paddle was equally delightful.

Participants:  Bob Rowe, Andrea Reising, Bruce Weik, and TC Ron Chase

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Jul 23, 2022: Moxie Pond

We had a beautiful sunny day for a traverse of Moxie Pond on the first day of the Summer Picnic weekend.  Unsure of where to begin and end, Nancy and I drove up and down Moxie Pond Road in advance.  We found a spot next to the water at the southern end adjacent to a CMP Corridor worksite where we could park vehicles.  Since the forecast called for a west southwest wind, we decided to begin at the southern end and paddle northeast to the Moxie Pond Boat Landing.  We met Gail & Devon Carter and Jonathan Ludlow at the landing and transported boats south.  The Carter’s were navigating a tandem canoe, Jonathan a solo canoe, and Nancy and I were in solo lake kayaks.  The paddling was superb.  When publicizing the trip, I stated the pond resembled an inland fjord.  That was an unintentional embellishment.  However, while traveling between Moxie Bald and Mosquito Mountains, if you let your imagination soar, it looks something like an inland fjord.  That’s my story and I’m sticking to it.  Everything went swimmingly until we started looking for a location to stop for lunch.  After exploring several possibilities, we finally found a small partially cleared island where landing was doable but challenging.  Easy paddling continued until we were about a mile from the landing.  Then the wind gods betrayed us.  Nasty broadsides were encountered while navigating an open stretch.  A powerful headwind followed when turning towards the boat landing.  By the time we arrived, everyone had experienced an aerobic workout.  Overall, it was a very scenic trip with a great group.

Participants:  Gail Carter, Devon Carter, Jonathan Ludlow, and TCs Nancy Chase and Ron Chase

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Jul 1-3, 2022: Roll Dam at 430cfs

When I am paddling early in the season during the spring runoff, tromping through snow to the put in, thoughts of summer at Roll Dam warm my heart even while my hands freeze.  At last July arrived and the trip was on with just enough water for a good time on the river.  It was a slightly smaller group than in previous years, and on Saturday only three of us remained at Roll Dam while the rest of the crew headed over for bigger thrills at Canada Falls.  The only flaw in the lovely weekend were the bugs which were decidedly thick, fierce, and diverse.

K-1: Charlie Berliant, Jeff Bickford, Troad Richmond

iK-1: Erin-Kate Sousa, Deb Harris, Jeff Swett

OC-2: Gary & Suzanne Cole

OC-1: Rick & Koa Farnsworth, Kenny DeCoster, Helen Hess (TC)