Stuff About Paul
-Autobigraphical Tripe
-Philosophical Poo
Paul Reviews Other People's Stuff
-Movie Reviews
-Book Reviews
-CD Reviews
Studio H
-Dummyhead
-Take2
Computers
-Linux and Open Source
-Miss Celaney
Other Neat Stuffe
-UrsusPacificus.net
-Klub Katana
-Paul's Kayak Kave
-Paul's Pile-O-Links
Some handy regional links:
-Niantic Weather
-State of Connecticut
-Town of East Lyme
-Connrcticut Humane Society
Some of Paul's Favorite Websites...
Computers:
-The Jargon File
-GIMP
-MySQL
-Linux.org
-xiph.org (makers of oggVorbis
-OpenSource.org
-OpenOffice.org
-Mozilla.org
-GNU.org
Friends:
-Planetside... where Scott works
-Adam Lyons
-Eric Comprone
Neat Junk:
-The US Naval Observatory's Current Time
-Darwin Awards
Comedy:
-The Rutles
-The Official Monty Python Website
-Spinal Tap
-Bill Hicks
-George Carlin
Cars:
-Nissan's Website
-Subaru's USA home page
-Subaru's cool home-home page
Science:
-Phil Plait's Bad Astronomy
-NASA
-PBS' "NOVA"
-PBS' Stephen Hawking's Universe
-space.com
-Marshall Brain's "How Stuff Works"
-SETI@home
-CarlSagan.com
Shopping:
-ThinkGeek... Stuff for Smart Masses
-EvolveFISH.com... Opinionated tripe for freethinkers
Philosophy:
-The Ontario Center for Religious Tolerance
Music:
-The official website for the Rock Band "Boston"
-Peter Frampton's official website
-Spinal Tap
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Interested in kayaking? Here's some interesting and possibly useful information: Kayak Clubs and Organizations -Conn-Yak - Connecticut Sea Kayakers Useful Paddling Oracles -paddling.net - Buyer's guides, reviews and other good info Manufacturers -Walden -Prijon -Pyranha Kayak Launch Sites in Southeastern CT These directions are for "informational purposes" only and come with no warranty, express or implied. It is up to the user to verify the information contained herein before making any decisions to launch or paddle at or in a particular area. If you have any corrections or additions to this list of launch points, please mail them to tem_dummyhead@yahoo.com. I will make an effort to keep this listing as up-to-date as possible. Please bear in mind that I have a day job, and make no money off this service:) East Lyme: Gorton Pond Directions to come... Niantic River (adjacent to Niantic Dockominiums) Directions to come... Waterford: Niantic River at Mago Point from CT156 on Waterford side of Niantic River Bridge, turn North on West St., then left on Niantic River Rd.. Turn Right at the Mago Point Waterfront District sign, then right at the State Boat Launch sign. Dock Road Boat Launch (Jordan Cove, Waterford, CT) From CT-156 East bound, turn right onto 213/Great Neck RD. From Westbound CT-156, turn left. Do Not Be Fooled! Shoreline access on Trumbull Rd does not exist (or is not marked) Right on Goshen Rd. Sign for Boat Launch "Dock Road" Straight through stop sign in front of Goshen Fire Department Straight through stop sign Cross Valley St... now you're on Dock Road. Parking close to Ramp Diagonally-grooved concrete Rough on the bottom of a Kayak. At low tide, you can board at the end of the ramp. Old Lyme: Four Mile River Boat Launch Exit 71 from I95 From Southbound, turn left (Onto Four Mile River Road) Bear Right at stop sign onto CT-156 Boat Launch sign on right says "Four Mile River", pointing left Left onto Oakridge Drive Boat Launch sign on right says "Four Mile River", pointing right No parking at ramp. You traverse parking area to get to ramp. You can UNLOAD at the ramp, but you cannot park there. Ramp is on west bank of Four Mile River River is VERY SHALLOW. You must follow the channel at low tide if you are to navigate Ramp is asphalt, patched many times. Not recomended to launch Glass or Composite Boats here. Bottom of river is very marshy/mucky. Lieutenant River Directions to come... Groton: (Groton Long Point) Directions to come... Bluff Point Stata Park and Nature Reserve Right from route 1 north (Depot Rd) (Near Fitch Middle School) park at end of depot rd lots of parking pocquonock river There are no explicit indications (as of 20040118) that boat launching is either permitted or prohibited. There is a placard which tells the rules for Personal Water Craft. This suggests that launching PWCs is permitted, as it seems highly unlikely that a PWC rider could read the placard from the water. Preston: Thames River Directions to come... Mystic: Directions to come... |
May 22,2004 Hi. It's been a while. I now have 122 mile under my keel this year. Been a paddling fool. The Touryak has been performing very well. I recently got a rudder for it. Wow! What a difference! The boat is so much more easy to handle in cross currents and off-angle waves! Of course, anything you have dragging in the water that doesn't aid your propulsion is slowing you down. I never would have guessed that something ans small as a rudder would actually offer as much drag as this one does, but... it does. Fortunately, it is easy to pull up when not needed. I also got a second paddle... a Bending Branches "Breeze Day"... carbon shaft, fiberglass blades. This this is much more betterishly than by "Infusion Dream" paddle. This one is stiff and ready to rock. I have not rolled my boat in the open water yet. I wonder if I still remember how to do it ;) ... I'll probably give it a try this weekend. Sunday is supposed to be hot and humid. I've tried a few "new to me" places to paddle, including Bluff Point in Groton, the Mystic River, the Pattagaunsett River and Clinton Harbor. Checkout the Kayak log for more info. I got a new boat... the Prijon Touryak. I've also been attending classes to learn how to roll my boat. Whee! I've actually pulled it off a couple times... I got a wet suit and a good neoprene spray deck... I'm ready to get in the water come March! WHEE! I need January to be over NOW!!! Here's some pics of the new boat:
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Paul Tourville's Kayak Log Date(yyyymmdd)::Launch Point::Destination::Distance Travelled::CommentsT 1::20030621::11 N. Edgewood Rd Niantic::Smith's Cove::Unknown::Rented Perception Sparky from EMS at Crystal Mall. Launched at dad's dock (beached, lateral), did 2 laps around Smith's Cove. 2::20030622::11 N. Edgewood Rd Niantic::Smith's Cove::Unknown::First trip in new Walden Vista, purchased from Niantic Paddle Sports. Launched at dad's dock (beached, lateral), did 2 laps around Smith's Cove. Went out into river for first time. Eyeballed Sandy Point and the bridges. 3::20030628::11 N. Edgewood Rd Niantic::Sandy Point, Waterford::Unknown::Launched at dad's dock (beached, lateral), Paddled across Smith's Cove, then out to river and Sandy Point, following Sauders Point, the crossing the river in the vacinity of the old Ashley house on Quarrydock Road. Beached laterally at Sandy Point. Swam for a while, then paddled back. Did one lap of Cove before returning to Launch Point. 4::20030704::Lee's River Boat Launch, Swansea, Mass::Brother's House::Unknown::Paddled through coves and inlets of Lee's River. Traversed rip at end of boat launch area, into Narragansett Bay. Paddled to Mike's House. 5::20030719::Gorton Pond Boat Launch::Gorton Pond::1.5 Miles::One lap around pond, clockwise. Paused at the dam. 6::20030720::Niantic Town Beach::Crescent Beach::3 Miles::Launched near Niantic end of Train Bridge. Paddled to Crescent Beach and back. First time in Niantic Bay. First use of Spray Skirt. 7::20030731::Niantic Town Beach::Millstone Point::3.5 Miles::Launched near Niantic end of Train Bridge. Paddled to radio tower near end of Millstone Point, back to launch point, under bridges on incoming tide, then back into Niantic Bay to launch point. First time through rip at bridges. Used spray skirt. 8::20030802::11 N. Edgewood Rd Niantic::Smith's Cove::Unknown::Launched at dad's dock (beached), paddled around cove twice, paddled some random courses in cove, then went out into Niantic River. Returned to launch point. Successfully dismounted the boat at the dock, then mounted and dismounted again. First time. Used spray skirt. 9::20030812::Mago Point Boat Launch, Waterford::Sandy Point, Waterford::2.35 Miles::Approx 30 minutes to Sandy Point. Completed wet exit. Attempted self-rescue, swamped boat. Return trip was a little longer, due to incoming tide. Used spray skirt. 10::20030815::Hole-In-The-Wall Beach, Niantic::Hole-In-The-Wall Beach, Niantic::Unknown::Brief demo rides of "upgrade kayaks" Tried the Prijon Seayak and the Pyranha Orca. Liked the Pyranha, didn't much care for the Prijon. Found both boats to be less stable laterlaly than my Vista. No spray skirt. Peter Dimitri from NPS demonstrated a couple Eskimo Rolls. I have yet to try. It'll probably be a while. 11::20030816::Mago Point Boat Launch, Waterford::Black Point, Niantic::4.84 Miles::Longer trip than previous Crescent Beach run. Came within 100 yards of landfall just South of the Black Point Yacht Club. Return trip through bridges was rather treacherous due to ripping tidal currents. Approx 15 minutes to traverse between bridges. Storm clouds were moving in and seas became choppy by beginning of return trip. Boat handled well. Used spray skirt. Would probably have swamped on 5 or 6 occasions without skirt. The rip in the bridges would have been bad without the skirt. 12::20030819::Niantic Paddle Sports::Niantic Paddle Sports::None::Dropped off Walden Vista for installation of aft bulkhead kit. 13::20030822::Niantic Paddle Sports::Niantic Paddle Sports::None::Picked up Walden Vista from installation of aft bulkhead kit. 14::20030823::Mago Point Boat Launch, Waterford::Smith's Cove, Niantic, CT ::2.87 Miles::Mostly uneventful. River choppy with Southerly wind. Paddled across river low, then north aong Pine Grove. Went into cove, to Dad's house. Back into river, South along Pine Grove, crossing low again. Observed water in aft storage. Initial guess is leak is hatch-related. Must investigate. 15::20030824::Dock Rd. Boat Launch, Waterford, CT::Jordan Mill Park, Waterford, CT::6.68 Miles::Jordan River is positively beautiful. Long paddle, but well worth it. Big swells East of Millstone Point. Navigation in Jordan River is a bit tricky at low tide. Water is shallow and bottom is mucky. On down-stream trip, stopped to... uh... whiz.... in marshy area. Got out of the boat and sank up to half-way up my calves in muck. Over-all a great trip. Dealing with swells and chop was a little challenging, but fun. 16::20030827::Hole-In-The-Wall Beach, Niantic::Black Point, Niantic::4.83 miles::Got in water a little later than I wanted to. Swells significant past McCook Point but very little chop. Wanted to round Black Point but ended up stopping at tip. Sun was getting pretty low in sky, and I wanted to get back to launch point before sunset. Following seas on return trip. 17::20030828::Hole-In-The-Wall Beach, Niantic::Black Point, Niantic::7.02 miles::Got in water earlier than last night. Swells not as significant past McCook Point. Very little chop. Wanted to round Black Point but ended up stopping at tip. Incoming tide was producing a significant rip with substantial standing waves. Decided to head East toward Millstone. Halfway across the bay, I turned back toward my launchpoint. Sun was getting pretty low in sky, and I wanted to get back to launch point before sunset. Following seas on return trip. 18::20030830::Gorton Pond Boat Lanunch::Gorton Pond Boat Lanunch::2.29 Miles::With Autumn in Perception Sparky. Lap and a half around pond with Autumn 19::20030830::Mago Point Boat Launch, Waterford, CT::Sandy Point, Waterford, CT::4.1 Miles::With Autumn in Perception Sparky. On return trip, pulled into Smith's Cove 20::20030831::Four Mile River Boat Launch, Old Lyme::Giants Neck, East Lyme::3.88 Miles::With Autumn in Perception Sparky. Left Launch downstream, entered LIS. Headed east, around Rocky Neck, past Giants Neck Heights, past channel markers at mouth of Pattaguansett River to 'birdshit island'. Hovered there for a while. Took some pix. Paddled back. Traded boats at launch and had drag race. Perception Sparky is a TUB. 22::20030906::Port Niantic Boat Launch::Latimer Brook::7.37::Headed upriver on incoming tide. Passed Sandy Point on East Lyme side. Paused to check out Turkey Point. Continued upstream. Crossed under Boston Post Road at head of Niantic River. Latimer Brook is very shallow. Encountered tree branches and many rocks in water. Ran aground a couple times. Reached waterfall after second BPR bridge. Turned around and negotiated shallows again. Travelled downstream on Waterford stde of Nianric 23::20031227::Niantic Paddle Sports::None::None::Purchased demo 2003 Prijon Touryak got 3 pool sessions thrown in. 24::20040105::East Lyme High School Pool:None::None::Roll training session with Touryak. Unable to roll. Walden skirt does not seal adequately. Swamped boat. Decided to work on self-rescue instead. successfully self-rescued 5 times. 25::20040112::East Lyme High School Pool:None::None::Roll training session with Touryak. Borrowed adjustable neoprene skirt, bought goggles and nose plugs. huge difference. Successfully rolled several times while spotted, doing modified C-to-C (off-center grip on paddle with bias toward power-side;. Successfully rolled once unspotted, then failed on second try. Wet-exited and called it a night. Must remember to always keep the eyes on the power-end of the paddle. In spite of nose pluge, sinuses still full of heavily-chlorinated pool water. Ugh! Must get Marine Radio and GPS before spring. Have wetsuit and neoprene skirt on order. 26::20040119::East Lyme High School Pool:None::None::Roll training session with Touryak. Successfully rolled first few times, then started failing. Not using sweep for leverage to start bringing the boat up. I wa waiting until the sweep was narly done before I started bringing the boat up. Also having a little too much enthusiasm at the top. I was also releasing my grip on the paddle with my left hand at the top of the roll. Vern (the skinny long-haired carpenter dude) was spotting me and suggested I do a full forward paddle stroke on my off-side (left) when I complete an on-side (right) roll. The on-side/off-side thing had me a little confused at first... If you're right-handed, as I am, your on-side roll begins by leaning forward with the paddle at the port (left) side of the boat, with your right hand (and right side of the paddle) forward. Leaning just slightly to the left, you begin your roll. The reason this is you (on-side) is because your right side is doing the majority of the work to continue or complete the roll. 27::20040228::Mago Point Boat Launch, Waterford:Smith's Cove, Niantic::4.5 miles::First warm day of the year. Used wetsuit, drytop, neoprene gloves and NRS spray skirt. First kayak trip in Touryak. Also first with GPS. GPS was a little tricky with gloves. Captured waypoints at Niantic River Channel Markers 3, 6 and 29. Crossed on a long diagonal, almost directly toward Smith's Cove. Wind in river was substantial from the North. Entered the cove, navigating around the new docks at Bayreuther Boat Yard. Could not get to Dad's house due to ice. Cut some skin ice, but turned back as boat was very difficult to maneuver. Took some pictures, then went back out into river. Began crossing the river, then remembered I wanted to take a waypoint at channel marker 27. Returned to the marker and captured the waypoint (NIR27). Went South again, to channel marker 6 and captured another waypoint (NIR6), which is just West of BLMGOP. Went South through the bridges on the West side of the channel and into the bay. The inbound tide was tough to get through at the train bridge, but I made it. I considered trying for Hole In The Wall beach, but I was geeting tired. I paddled out to channel marker 3 and took a waypoint (NIR3), then returned through the West side of the bridges channel. 28::20040229::Mago Point Boat Launch, Waterford:Smith's Cove, Niantic::3.8 miles::Paddled with Jeff from NPS. Basically the same route as yesterday with a little less dawdling. Got through ice in Smith's Cove to Dad's dock. Called but he was not home. Took waypoints for approach to Grand Street boat launch. Good trip. Didn't go into the bay. 29::20040307::McCook Point Beach, Niantic::Wigwam Rock, Niantic::3.2 miles::Started alone, anticipating Pete and Jeff from NPS would join for photo shoot for Pete's store. Pete and Jeff eventually showed up. While waiting for them, I paddled to Attawan yacht club and took a waypoint off their jetty (NIBAYC), then to Hole In The Wall beach (NIBHIW) and finally to Wigwam Rock (NIBWWR). Finally Jeff, Peter and Elizabeth Eranow showed up. We all paddled out to NIBWWR, and they got on the rock with their boats. I took over 50 pictures. Hopefully a few will be suitable. paddled over to green can #6 near McCook's beach. Lingered a bit, then came in. 30::20040320::Mystic River::Channel Marker 26, Mystic River::5.92 miles::Met Elizabeth Aranow a little late. We put in at BLMYR2 and paddled past downtown Mystic to Channel Marker 26. Took a waypoint there and returned. Good paddle. Good company. 31::20040327::Four Nile River, Old Lyme, CT::Head of Pattagaunsett River, Niantic, CT::9.1 miles::Paddled South out of Four Mile River, into LIS. Took waypoint at North Brother. East to Griswold Island (Took waypoint at channel marker 5?), then North. East between Griswold Is. and Watts Is. Followed Black Point shore North into marshes, snaking up the river. Passed RR bridge, then Fairhaven Rd bridge. Got almost to West Main St, right behind David John's restaurant, river blocked by debris. Turned around and headed back downstream. Took Westerly path, to follow Giants Neck shoreline back. Branched off on cut through marshes to second RR bridge, at the East end of Giants Neck Heights. Waterway was very shallow upstream of the RR bridge. Returned to Pattagaunsett River, following Giants Neck shoreline to channel marker 5, then followed outbound GPS track back to launch point. First time using deck compass. Proved useful in marshes. Also, with overcast skies, getting bearings in Pattagaunsett estuary was a little wierd. Compass helped out. Charts would also be nice 32::20040404::Mago Point BL, Waterford, CT::Niantic River::8.94 miles::Max Spd 6.8::Moving Avg Spd 3.3::Time Moving 2:41:50::Crossed the river low, followed Pine Grove North to Smith Cove. Entered Cove, went to Dad's house. Pulled dock anchor for him. Returned to river, paddled up Keeny Cove to bridge (too low to pass). Returned South, rounded Sandy Point, then paddled North to Golden Spur. Used GPS for guidance for this leg of trip (Waypoint/GoTo). Light rain while en route to GS. At GS, created a route on GPS to get back to Mago Point, by way of Channel Marker 27. It was wierd, because, early in the morning, the sky looked a little forbidding, but around 10 AM, it cleared up. It was around then, when I deciced I would go for a paddle. I got all geared up, and by the time I got the the boatlaunch, the clouds had moved in. The clouds never really broke since, but it really hasn't rained significantly either. The wind did pick up for the last mile and a half of the paddle, tho. Kinda beat. I think I'll go home now. 33::20040410::Bluff Point, Groton::Pine Island::4.26 miles::Max Spd 6.2::Moving Avg Spd 2.5::Time Moving 1:42:15::Paddled downstream from the Bluff Point Boat Launch (mostly SW). Cleared the end of Bushy Point Beach, then beached on the North end of the first island after the tip of the beach to change batteries in the GPS. Had a PowerBar, and continued in the general direction of New London Ledge Light. The wind was very strong, and the chop was pretty big - 12 to 15 inches. Got halfway past Pine Island and decided to return. It was a fight all the way out of the river. Once I turned arond, it was smooth sailing almost all the way back. Had to deal with some windcocking, but otherwise, it was a quick and easy return trip. 34::20040417::Mago Point Boat Launch::Golden Spur::9.95 miles::Max Spd 5.4::Moving Avg Spd 3.2::Time Moving 3:08:26::Put in at Mago, then went North into Keeny Cove. Took pictures of a pair of geese grooming themselves on some rocks near the head of the cove. They were surprisingly unperturbed by my presence. Headed South, rounded Sandy Point. I stopped and had a PowerBar and then headed North to Golden Spur. Went up Latimer Brook to the old mill, then went back downstream. Upon crossing under the Boston Post Rd. bridge nearest the old mill, I was chased down stream by a posturing swan. I figure it was a male, defending his brooding mate. He followed me for about a tenth of a mile with his wings raised over his back and his neck Z-kinked with his head tucked back between his wings. I crossed under the Boston Post Rd. bridge at the head of the Niantic River, and met some pretty good chop for the river. I headed back South to Sandy Point, had another PowerBar, then continued South to Smith Cove. Went to Dad's house, but it appeared as though he was not home. I lingered a bit, then left the cove and continued back to the boat launch. It appears that ducks are pretty jumpy. I passed several small groups of ducks on the shore and in the water. They all took to that air even though I never pointed my boat at them... I hardly even looked their way. Geese, on the other hand, seem to be pretty consistently mellow. 35::20040418::Downtown Mystic Dinghy Dock::Mason Island::7.59 miles::Max Spd 5.7::Moving Avg Spd 2.6::Time Moving 2:52:40::Put in and headed downstream in the Mystic River. Crossed under the train bridge, then turned East to circumnavigate Mason Island. Everything was pretty OK there... a little chop, some head wind, but not bad. Went under the road bridge one the East side of the island, and still, the chop wasn't bad, although it was increasing. Got a little further out and the chop, swells and wind really picked up. As I headed South the waves weren't so bad, but as I turned Southwest to round the Southern end of the island the waves were coming across my beam. It was rather gripping. There's a monastary or something on a smaller island off the Southern tip of Mason Island, with a road bridge joining the two. There is a passable opening in this bridge a little more than a paddle length wide. I managed to sneak through te openeing, although as I aproached it I was uncertain as to whether I would be rolled by the waves. I managed to keep the boat upright, but about every third stroke was some kind of correction. Once I got past the bridge I was in the wind shadow of the island, so I got a little respite, but as I continued West I started experiencing more and mor wind, with the attendant chop and swells. I checked my chart, because I saw a land mass in the distance and was uncertain as to whether it was part of Mason Island from where I was (being only a couple feet off the water). It turned out to be Ram Island. I decided to cut between Ram and Mason. As I rounded the Southeast corner of Mason Is., I saw an inlet to the North. Checked the chart again, but there was some text in just the spot where it seemed there might be a navigable passage. I opted to not enter the inlet, which later turned out to be wise, as there was no outlet. Headed North and got into the open river between Mason Island and the train bridge. I was hit again by the wind out of the Southeast, but now I was headed nearly due North (magnetic). This was a little more manageable... even a bit welcome, as it was giving me a little help. I got past the train bridge, and the water smoothed out tremendously. While passing Brewers I met a couple in matching 10' Walden boats. The asked how the paddling was. I suggested they not try rounding Mason. Continued upstream, past the dinghy dock, under the drawbridge, to Mystic Seaport. Paddled around all the boats at the seaport. Got out my camera, as I wanted to get a pic of the Charles W Morgan. Turned the camera on and the battery died. Ugh. The Seaport was pretty busy. I was a novelty for many of the patrons. Talked to a few folks, then headed back to the dinghy dock. On the way, I came across the same Walden couple. Stopped and chatted for a couple minutes, then moved on. Got to the dock and got out of the boat. SPENT! 36::20040425::Hammonassett Beach::Clinton Harbor::est. 6 miles::Put in at the cartop boat launch area on the East Beach. Demo'ed new paddle... Aquasomething. I was not especially impressed, except it was light. GPS battery died. Got hailed upon. That was different. Went East around the tip of Hammonassett point, then Northeast across Clinton Harbor. Significant waves, but certainly manageable. Rounded "That Point" into the Hammonassett River. Paddled West to first bend in river, then turned around. At the mouth of the river, I stopped to put my gloves on, because the wind had picked up, and I figured the chop in the harbor had as well. Taller waves mean hands likely to get wet. In cool, windy conditions, hands get numb. I was right. I ended up dunking my hands quite a bit, particularly my left one, as the wind was out of the South-Southeast. Beached sideways and got a little wet getting out of the boat. 37::20040430::Mago Point::McCook Beach::3.49 miles::Max Spd 7.0::Moving Avg Spd 3.2::Time Moving 1:04:27::Mostly uneventful. Put in, rounded Mago Point, went through the bridges against an incomong tide. Paddled wide berth around the "fish trap area", then on to McCook's. Came across what I can only describe as a current vortex just West of the South end of the main fish net. Totally wierd. Got to McCooks, checked GPS. "Low Battery". Ugh! Changed GPS battery. I had the presence of mind to bring batteries this time. Started back. Decided to follow coast tightly and try crossing the net foats instead fo going around. First attempt was too close to shore. Went South a few hundred yards and tried again. Success! Continued along following the shoreline. Got to the bridges and turned North. The tide was with me. I got pushed around sideways a little bit, but mostly no problem. Returned to Mago Point. 38::20040501::Downtown Mystic Dinghy Dock::Head of Mystic River::6.49 miles::Max Spd 6.3::Moving Avg Spd 2.8::Time Moving 2:17:26::Had to park quite a way from the dock, as there was a "May Day" festival going at the park adjacent to the dock, and,as such, there was no nearby parking. I was very glad I had wheels! Put in at the dock as normal, and headed North. Noodled around at Mystic Seaport a little bit. Took a couple pix of the CW Morgan. Continued North, past the boat launch where Elizabeth and I put in a few weeks ago. North of there, there's a narrow channel that winds up the West side of the river. Naturally, I had trouble finding it, so most of my time in that part of the river was in water about 8 inches deep. Ugh. At times like that it would be nice to have the fancy-pants GPS with the charts loaded up... but a $400 GPS and another $200 for the charts. I'd be terrified to take it out on the water! The Geko is good enough for 85% of what I need, and if I lost it or broke it, it wouldn't be such a crisis. But enough philosophy... I got to a little cove near the top of the river and found this run-down marina with all these run-down boats. In the Northeast corner of the cove there was a 30+ foot cabin cruiser resting, half on a rock, listing about 20 to port, abandoned. It's planking coming off the ribs in places, covered with moss on the shaded, North-facing port side. I was surprised to see such a thing in Mystic. The downtown is so manicured and historic, it didn't make sense. I then recalled the many run-down mobile homes on the East side of Mason Island I had seen two weeks before. I had thought the same thing then. How odd it was. Then I wondered why I thought it so odd. I took some pictures of the abandoned boat and moved on. I turned upstream on exiting the cove and reached the point where the Mystic River is a real, flowing stream. I got to a little rapid and tried to pass it, but the water was too shallow for my paddle. I paddled like mad, but the current was moving too fast. I kept getting pushed back. I gave up, turned around and headed back to the dock. 39::20040507::Mago Point::Sandy Point::4.43 miles::Max Spd 6.1::Moving Avg Spd 3.6::Time Moving 1:14:41::Unspectacular. Crossed the river low, followed Pine Grove North. Entered Smith Cove. Went by Dad's house. Went to far end of the cove, then came back out. Turned North up to Sandy Point. From Smith Cove to Sandy Point saw enormous numbers of orange jellyfish. Not the ideal time to roll the boat. Met another NPS customer in a yellow Seayak. Returned to Mago Point. 40::20040508::Downtown Norwich Boat Launch::Poquetanuck Cove::9.90 miles::Max Spd 5.9::Moving Avg Spd 3.3::Time Moving 3:00:46::Headed down-river against wind out of the South-Southeast and an incoming tide. Some sizeable waves in spots. I'm not sure if they're related to conflicting layers or currents of river and sea water, or, perhaps a confluence of wind and tide. Passed the old Thermos factory on the East bank and another run-down abandoned factory a little further downstream on the West bank. About 2 miles down from the launchpoint, I hit Mohegan Sun. What an eyesore. Acre after acre of forest razed for roadways, bland lowlying buildings and that hiddeous hotel tower. Ugh! The banks of the Thames are littered with detergent bottles, plastic bags and beer cans. Beyond Mohegan Sun but before the Pequot Bridge there's what looks like an abandoned factory or power plant with a long pipeline pier extending 2/3 of the way across the river. It looks like it was either used to deliver fuel oil or natural gas to the facility on shore. There were two large "tank farm" tanks near shore near where the pier comes ashore. The tanks appeared to have some thick foam insulation which had been burned. I'd like to find out more about that place. Continued South past the Pequot Bridge and found a rusted-out shipwreck. I didn't get close to it, but I might another time. Continued downstream to the mouth of Pocquetanuck Cove. The train overpass over the opening is very low, but I had about eight inches or so clearance over my head without ducking. Went up into the cove to the Route 12 bridge and changed the batteries in the GPS. Went back out of the cove and stared back to Norwich. The following seas and wind at my back were a big help. 41::20040512::Mago Point::Keely Cove::5.18 miles::Max Spd 6.5::Moving Avg Spd 4.2::Time Moving 1:13:23::A great night for a paddle. Wind was light, water was almost dead-flat. Put in a little after 6 PM. Stopped by Dad's. 42::20040513::Mago Point::Millstone Point::4.55 miles (est.)::Max Spd ?::Moving Avg Spd ?::Time Moving ?::Forgot GPS at home. Trip through bridges uneventful, although the incoming tide did slow me down. Went out a ways into the bay before crossing the channel to the Waterford side. Followed shore line of Millstone Point to tip. Had originally planned to round the point and go into Jordan Cove, but the wave activity coming out of the cooling water outlet from the nuke plant looked a little spooky, and it was windy, cooling off and so on. I wasn't looking forward to the idea of paddling back for 2 miles cold and wet if I dumped in those conditions. 43::20040515::Mago Point::Smith Cove::7.97 miles::Max Spd 5.9::Moving Avg Spd ?3.4::Time Moving 2:21:08::First trip with rudder. Rudder is pretty cool, although it does offer a fair amount of drag. Hugged Waterford shore into Keely Cove. Went to top, and returned along Sandy Point shore. Continued around the point up to Golden Spur. Went under the Boston Post Road bridge and paused in Latimer Brook for a Power Bar and some water. Went back down the Niantic River along the Niantic shore, into Smith Cove. Stopped at Dad's. He offerred to give me a ride back to the boat launch to pisk up my car. I could have made it back the the launch and been headed home with the boat sooner, but I was kinda wiped, so I took him up on it. 44::20040520::Mago Point::Black Point::8.28 miles::Max Spd 6.4::Moving Avg Spd 3.9::Time Moving 2:05:48::Left Mago and went right through the bridges. The tide was low and slack. Hugged the shore along Town Beach, Hole in the Wall, McCook Point and the East side of Black Point. By the time I got to the tip of black point, little vorticies were beginning to form. The Incoming tide had started. I put the rudder down and started back. The rudder is a beautiful thing. It does offer drag, but it makes a big difference when facing wind and waves. The wind was picking up as the sun went down, and the air temp really began to drop. By the time I got to the bridges, the incoming tide was cooking pretty good. The rudder, again, turned out to be a blessing. All in all, a good paddle. 45::20040521::Mago Point::Seaside Point WTFD::8.48 miles::Max Spd 5.9::Moving Avg Spd 3.9::Time Moving 2:10:55::As I left Mago, the tide was still outbound, so I got a little help through the bridges. The bay was pretty calm, and boat traffic was light. I got to the tip of Millstone point in good time, and continued past the cooling water outlet, headed East, taking a waypoint just past the outlet. I crossed the mouth of Jordan Cove and continued East to Seaside point. I took a waypoint there. I could see Harkness Park from where I was and briefly contemplated continuing to there and perhaps Ocean Beach, but ultimately decided to head back, as I had to ... um... rest. Fortunately, the Dock Rd. boat launch was nearby and it had porta-potties. I pulled in there, took care of business and continued home at a more relaxed pace. The trip along Millstone Point was reasonably relaxed, and traversing the bridges was a breeze with the following tide and the rudder. |
Notes, handy info and lessons learned While this section is seemingly barren now, I plan to put here which could be useful to people considering gettign into kayaking. Some of what you will find here is opinion, some is fact. I will make an effort to differentiate, but in general any review of a product is opinion. Bear in mind that I'm a pretty big guy and that has a lot to do with how I fit into boats, how boats behave with me in them (or trying to get back in them)... your mileage may vary. Please also bear in mind that kayaking (like so many other activities) is not without its risks. You could drown, succumb to exposure (hypothermia), be seriously injured on rocks or coral, be run over by a careless boater, be maimed or paralyzed or eaten by a shark. There is even a possibility that you could be struck by lightning. Nothing presented on this website with regard to kayaking or any other potentially hazardous activity should be taken "as gospel". Use your judgement. Get training from experienced paddlers. Read books. Be careful. Know your limits. ... and try to have fun ;) Stuff I always carry when I go out: PFD (Personal Floatation Device), Whistle, Head Light, Paddle Leash, Spray Skirt, Inflatable Paddle Float, Bilge Pump, Bilge Sponge, PowerBars, Plenty of Water, Bug Repellant, Sunscreen, Bug Bite Anti-Itch Goo, Floating Sandals (Waldies), Wireless Phone, Watch, Paddle. A note about currents and tides: If you plan to go out in "open water"... i.e. any place with tidal currents... don't be fooled by aparent calmness. Just because the water seemed calm when you left your launchpoint doesn't mean it will be that way when you get back. Tides shift with regularity. Know when the tides are changing on the day you're going out. Also, be conscious of the way the currents are running. Are you fighting the current? Is there another way you can go to get where you want to be? I have read (and found in my experience) that currents in shallow water are less formidable than deep-water currents. OLD NEWS I got a new boat... the Prijon Touryak. I've also been attending classes to learn how to roll my boat. Whee! I've actually pulled it off a couple times... I got a wet suit and a good neoprene spray deck... I'm ready to get in the water come March! WHEE! I need January to be over NOW!!! Here's some pics of the new boat:
Hello, all... I've gotten a kayak... see below:
It's a Walden Vista. I got it toward the end of June. I've taken it out on Gorton Pond and Smith's Cove in Niantic, and in Narrangansett Bay at Swansea, Mass., near my brother's house. I crossed the Niantic River (at Sandy Point, having launched from my father's house on Smith's Cove) and traversed the major beaches on Niantic Bay (Niantic Beach, Hole In The Wall, McCook's Point and Crescent Beach) this past Sunday, having launched from the Niantic side of the Amtrak railroad bridge across the Niantic River. Paddling in Niantic Bay presented some interesting new challenges. Up 'til this past Sunday, I'd confined my kayaking to fairly calm water. Limited currents; small waves, if any. Not Sunday. On an ordenary boat, someone aboard the boat employs "sea legs" to keep his or her balance as the boat rocks in the waves. In a kayak, you don't stand, you sit. As such, you must cultivate your "sea butt". My sea butt got a workout Sunday. I almost capsized 5 or 6 times.... My balance improved quite a bit as the day wore on. I calculate I covered about 3 miles in about an hour and a half in substantial currents and seas getting to 1 foot at times. |
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