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.

Ripple Effect Parent Day, June 28, 2012

Ripple Effect is a camp for kids and adults on Cow Island in Casco Bay.  The campers are taught boating safety, the names of the different parts of a kayak, how to make sure their life preservers fit them correctly, how to wear a spray skirt, to enter a kayak, and exit one, and how to paddle – among other things.

On day 4 of a week-long day camp, parents were invited to go kayaking with their kids at the camp to see what they had learned. I was invited by our grandson to attend.

It was a gorgeous day, with little wind, and white puffy clouds. The kids and counselors had the kayaks on the beach, ready for the paddle after four other parents and I arrived. The kids taught the adults what they had learned, and then we got into the boats, and headed out into the bay, staying clear of the barnacle-covered rocks.

Erik had us try to turn the kayaks around 360 degrees in fifteen strokes – not easy, especially in a large, tandem kayak like the one we were in. We all worked hard. After awhile I discovered that kids in kayaks tend to bump into each other -- frequently. Erik said it well, “The kayaks all seemed to have magnets on them.”

We paddled around the island and stopped at the far end on a rocky beach to have lunch.  We ventured out into the bay again, this time to play some games – Frisbee, then peanut butter and jelly – a game where one team of paddlers individually had to touch the bow of their boats to the stern of the other team. The games were designed to improve paddling skills. It was chaotic, pure mayhem, and great fun!

We paddled back to the place we started, talked about the day, and headed back to the mainland, tired and happy to have been in kayaks on a warm summer day in Maine.

Presumpscot River with MOACERS

Sunday, 80 degrees and bright blue skies – a perfect day for a paddle up the Presumpscot River.

We joined a MOAC (Maine Outdoor Adventure Club) group, put our kayaks in at Shaw Park in Gorham, and paddled upstream until we came to the Pleasant River. There we stopped for a brief cookie break (home-made), resumed our journey for a about a half mile, until the current outmatched our desire to paddle harder.  We did an about-face and rode the current back downstream paddling with little effort.  On the riverbank, two Canadian geese, a mama and papa, watched us closely, ready to protect their three downy goslings, should we pose a threat.

Back on the Presumpscot River, we paddled against the current once more, delighted by the site of Babb’s Covered Bridge that connects the towns of Gorham and Windham. Kids made a big splash as they hurled themselves into the river on the ends of rope swings. Some were dropping from the underside of the bridge, and some, less daring, were swimming from a beach on the side of the river.

Beyond the bridge we took a short break and stretch, borrowing someone’s picnic table, and enjoying the feel of the cool water on our feet. Slipping in and out of the kayak can be tricky, especially when there is a current. I came close to taking a spill, but two quick MOACERS steadied my boat in the nick of time.

The quiet railroad bridge we passed under on our way up the river was now lined with teenagers, eager for a thrill and attention, jumping 30 – 40 feet into the river, before our eyes. They were eager to entertain this unexpected audience of eight boats and 9 paddlers.

We would have liked to join this great group of MOACERS for ice-cream after loading the gear in the car and our kayaks on the racks, but it we had a commitment and had to hustle on our way. We thanked our leader for organizing the trip and for picking such a lovely day and spot to paddle.

New Meadows River -- from Sawyer Park to Merritt Island

We put in at Sawyer Park in Brunswick, ME, at an all tide ramp, when it was almost high tide on the New Meadows River. The wind was light, clouds were abundant, but the paddling was easy. Usually I have a stiff back after paddling. This time I had very tight lower back muscles before we started, and took my extra large Back Warmer in the car to help with flexibility.

At the beginning of our trip we paddled past a house with a dog that started barking when he spotted us. His owner kept saying, “Frankie, stop barking.”  Frankie did not stop barking and trotted out onto the dock as we paddled by. The owner repeated, “Stop barking." The back and forth barking and human response broke the peaceful aura of this Saturday morning for several minutes until we paddled out of earshot.

Boat traffic was light, and the few who were out in boats waved. Even the herons didn’t budge but nonchalantly watched us paddle by. We saw some lovely homes with expansive lawns and observed people mowing, working on docks, and repairing houses.

We paddled down to Merritt Island, owned by Bowdoin College and listed on the Maine Islands Trail. A small rocky beach offered a scenic lunch spot though we had to smack a few pesky bugs who wanted to share our lunch.

After slipping back in the kayaks, we navigated around Merritt Island and between Williams Island and the Mainland before heading up river. On our return, my back muscles were looser than they were when we departed -- that's a change. But couple of Ibuprofen with a drink of water on Middle Ground – an outcropping of rocks -- helped make the paddling easier.

As we approached the last half mile of the trip we saw what looked like two people walking on the water, but soon discovered they were on paddle floats. They told us they had rented their crafts at Sea Spray Kayak Outfitters just above where we put in. This was the first time they had been on paddle floats. We were a bit surprised that one of them wasn’t wearing a life jacket as walking on water not an option in an emergency.

After five or six miles of paddling my back was crying for a rest. This is a beautiful river to explore and we are eager to return and put in near Merritt Island and head down to Cundy’s Harbor.