Bethel Point to Sebasco

October 11, 2013

This put-in at the end of Bethel Point Road on the West side of the Sebascodegan is an all-tide ramp on a small peninsula with views of Yarmouth Island, Quahog Bay, and Ridley Cove. The ramp is public, but parking is available at the Bethel Point Boatyard, a private establishment where we parked for a $6 fee. Drive or walk up to the house on the hill to pay, where the lady who collected our money was very nice and warned us that the mosquitoes were out. There is a blue box (bathroom facility) in the parking lot.

I was glad to have donned my wet suit on this 11^th day of October, as I slipped and fell on my backside while attempting to get into my kayak. The wet suit not only kept me warm, but it cushioned my landing on the rocky bottom. I was more disgusted at myself for having started off with a wet bottom than I was embarrassed – there were some people around who saw me fall.

The rough beginning turned out to be no indication of the lovely paddle we would experience as we made our way out into Quahog Bay and around the outside of Yarmouth Island and two small islands. Our goal was to stop on Raspberry Island, designated on the Maine Islands Trail, but the tide was so low that we were not able to find a safe landing spot.

As we paddled out into the bay toward open ocean, the water so calm it was almost like glass, we enjoyed playing on the gentle swells. We had to go out around long extensions of rocks to avoid scraping the bottoms of our boats and enjoyed the gold color of the seaweed as it hung from the rocks and and swung to and fro in the salt water.

At the southeast tip of Yarmouth Island we enjoyed a small pond-like protected area surrounded by rocks. Waves were breaking on the outside of this low tidal cove, and on the inside we paddled slowly, looking down to view patches of broken white shells resting on the dark rocks that lined the bottom of the ocean. We paddled between jagged rocks, through seaweed, and away from the breaking waves to the outside, and turned east toward Bear Island, Malaga Island, and Sebasco.

We found a place to a land on Malaga Island, a land preserve, and a great place to stop, stretch, and have

our picnic lunch of egg salad sandwiches and crisp Cortland apples. I would like to return and walk the trails of this island, especially after reading this article about it, and the sad history that I recently read about.
http://www.pressherald.com/news/a-century-of-shame_2012-05-20.html?pagenum=full

The gray clouds parted to let the sun shine through at times as we returned to Bethel Point via Ridley Cove, deciding not to go out and around Yarmouth Island on the return. The layers of color -- the blue water, yellow seaweed, dark wet rocks, sun-bleached white rocks, trees spotted with autumn colors, and the blue sky – provided a lovely show as we made our way back, swatting a few mosquitoes along the way.

I was happy to have an extra large back warmer to put between my shoulder blades when I crawled into bed that night. When my back muscles relaxed I put it on my feet to warm and soothe them as well. Check out Maine Warmers for microwave heating pads if you've been paddling all day.

New Meadows River from Sabino to The Basin

Put-in at Sabino

This was one of the nicest paddles we have had in Maine. The day we slipped away from work with the kayaks on the roof of the car was in late September and because it was mid-week, we saw very little in the way of boat traffic.

The put-in at Sabino, which has no public parking, but a permit may be had by calling the town office and paying a fee. There is a very small parking lot and most of the parking is along the road. It is a relatively easy put-in although we arrived about an hour before high tide and took out about 3 hours after, so I cannot say what it is like at low tide. Some local clammers and lobster fishermen and women were coming and going, using this access. They were friendly and helpful, but in a hurry to get their gear loaded and  unloaded, which we respected. One of them told us that the little cottage on the rocks in this photo has a "For Rent" sign on it and it is relatively inexpensive.

The water was unusually calm and we saw porpoise breaking the surface as we paddled past Winnegance Bay toward The Basin, an inlet that is very popular in the summer but quiet this time of year. A few leaves were turning color but most foliage was still green. A seal stretched his neck up to check us out and seemed to follow us for awhile.

Basin Island from the South side

There is a lengthy entrance to The Basin. One would think it was a river or large stream, but it opens up into a large body of water. On the right is Basin Island, which is on the Maine Islands Trail and where on can beach a kayak and enjoy a little stretch and picnic lunch. Go to the north west side of the island to find access. The rest of the island has sides that are too rocky and steep for landing a boat.

This is one of the prettiest places I have been in a kayak. I am looking forward to putting in at Sebasco and paddling up river to the Basin on another calm day this fall.

Whenever we return home from a day on the water, I am happy to have a Maine Warmer to relax and soothe my tired back muscles. The full back warmer is perfect for that, although a neck warmer can feel good as well.

West Branch of the Saco River

 We put in at Pleasant Point Park in Buxton (take Simpson Rd from Rt 117, then drive through the stone
pillars), a 60 acre town owned park with a carry in launch-site that is quite scenic. There are a couple of picnic tables at the end of the dirt road and a few walking paths. The walk down to the water from the dirt access road is about 20 yards and a bit steep but manageable. There isn’t a beach as such, but the water is shallow and sandy where we launched, and it would make a nice swimming area.

The “lake” created by the dam is beautiful and about 50 feet deep. There are not many houses and we saw turtles, a hawk, a Kingfisher, and a cormorant. We met a local lady who was paddle-boarding and she told us a pair of eagles nests close by and have a young one. Maybe that is why we only a few other birds.

Only one or two motor boats past us and kept their distance as we paddled up to the dam, exploring coves on the way up and back. We saw a man and his daughter, who looked to be about age seven, paddling about on what he called “three boards.” She was learning to swim and he was sounding a little bit envious of our kayaks. Sometimes it’s fun to stop and talk with people we meet along the way.

 

It was a pleasant, leisurely paddle and we took out about noon, just as the wind started to pick up.  We talked with the paddle boarder and her husband who has rheumatoid arthritis and was waiting for her on the shore where we put in. I wanted to tell him about how a gluten-free diet might help his arthritis and that a Maine Warmer can help bring comfort, but I kept mum. 

September 15, 2013

Kayaking & Walking through the Everglades National Park -- Feb. 2013

Sixth months ago, if you had told me that I would be slogging through Everglades National Park in water over my ankles, in open toed water shoes looking for alligators and other wildlife I would have said you were out of your mind. But that is what my husband and I did last week.

This activity was way outside of my comfort zone.

Within the first few steps off the road we observed a colorful, long, thin (non-poisonous) Ribbon Snake. I thought we might back up and enter the Cypress Dome somewhere else, but before I knew it our guide, Garl, who was barefoot, and my husband were almost out of sight. Not wanting to be left to fend for myself I sucked it up and followed them. For awhile it felt like an out-of-body experience. But, I am still alive and to be honest, I had the time of my life, seeing beautiful plants and yes -- even snakes and gators.


I think when we overcome our fears to accomplish
something unique and challenging, we gain new perspectives and confidence. In this case I am glad I didn't allow fear to keep me away from this unique and exhilarating experience.



At the end of each day I was happy to have packed my Neck Warmer. At Maine Warmers we are all about comfort, but if you decide to step outside of your comfort zone, whatever it may be, I hope you remember to keep a Maine Warmer close at hand to soothe your tired muscles and relax your excited mind.


Check out Garl's Coastal Kayaking for an amazing and fun experience. More importantly, read the reviews about him on Trip Advisor.