Second Time Around is not Always Easier

Oct 17-18
Since we have so much fun kayaking from our clubhouse in Canarsie, Brooklyn to Staten Island, camp and paddle back to the clubhouse was so much fun in May, we clamord to do it again later in the season.  Steve H. our resident chef and adventure paddle extraordinaire arrange for us to do it again last weeked.  I was pump to go.  I need to do more adventure paddle after spending much of the summer paddling in lake (when I am not sailing), and it would help me prepare for my big Halloween trip to Connecticut. Also I love camping, and I haven't do that all summer!

I know on Friday that this paddle would not be easy by an measure.  Wind is predict to be high, 15-20 knots coming from the NW, meaning we have be aid on the first leg out but hinder on the last leg as we turn North to go up river.  This did not detered me, if nothing else I look forward to the challenge.  I packed the night before so I don't forget anything, and may have over pack.   Meet up time was 9:30 AM for a lauch at 10AM, which is good for a late morning but a bit late for such a long trip but I have complete trust in Steve planning on these things.   I was on course to be early to the club but release as I approached Exit 13, I realized that I don't have my watershoe and neoprene socks and turn around to go home and get them.   Luckily for me when I finally arrive at the club at 9:45 no one is ready.   I spend some time trying to pack all my gears into my expedition  kayak, last year I used my low volume Tahe Marine Greenland.  Neither I brough less stuff or packed them all in more efficiently into my Tahe Marine because I can not pack everything into my bigger expedition boat this time around.   I managed to coerced everythings into my forward and stern hatched after couple of attempts.  We finally get on the water at about 11 AM.  We need to be a the mouth of Hudson harbor before the tide turn so time is essential,and we already late starting off.

Like I say, going out we were aid the the Northwest wind since we are going Southwest.   We we making decent time is at Floyd Bennett Field.   About half a mile from Marine Parkway Gil Hodges Memorial Bridge (Marine Pkwy Memorial Bridge) we make our first unschedule stop.  One of the paddler have problem with her skeg so she and a couple of other paddlers have to land and fix it. This take a good 15-20 minutes to fix. I did not land, landing area is between rusted metal sea where so ther is not much space.  Soon we get back on the water but on of the kayak that land to help fixed the skeg radio that his seatback broke so he have to head back to fix it.   This take another 15 minutes.   We paddled toward Marine Memorial Bridge with me ahead of the group.  I went under the bridge and look back to notice that the group did not follow me.   The paddler that have to fix her kayak skeg decided to terminate her trip so they are dropping her off at the breach at the foot of the bridge.   We continue on under the bridge and into Rockawy inlet.   This is when we really feel the full force of the 15-20 knots winds, with gust that I feel is much stronger then 30 knots.   I half expected our leader Steve to call off the trip because of the high wind.  I believe there was a small craft advisor for the morning.    We losted another paddler as we paddle pass Gerritsen Creek, Larry was having problem with his Epic Expedition 18 in the wind, even with rudder he can't control the boat so he turn back.  I did not know this detail till we meet up for lunch later.  All I know is I see Larry to my right, and I can't find him as I routinely take counts the kayaks 10 minutes later.  Since no one else is alarm that Larry just disappear i assumed they know something I don't, in that wind and heavy wave condition I can't get close enough to anyone to talk to them anyway.

The remaining foolish kayakers slowing inched our way into the Atlantic Ocean.  It was slow going, by the time we get to Manhattan Beach it was 1 or 1:30 PM and everyone is tired (we have only been on the water for two and half hours but it feel like forever) it was decided that we should land on Manhattan Beach for lunch.  As usual i was in the lead and did not hear of the plan to land for lunch, my radio is on the wrong channel.  I keep track of the next paddle behind me the whole paddle so most of the time I know where I last see him, right at the first jetty.   I turned around and can't find him, then notice that I can't find anyone else neither.   I have a sudden unconfortable feeling that i am in the twilight Zone  about those last fliers in the Bermuda Triangle but temper my imagination as i turned my kayak around to look for them.  Every landed behind a jetty that I paddle passed 15 minutes ago.  I was not expecting lunch. The time is right for lunch but not the place. I expect us to be at Coney Island for lunch, that they would probably be by 3 PM.  So right there I know we are in trouble time wise.   But we need to rest after the difficult crossing of Broadway Inlet and eat up to regain our energy.

We did not lingers for lunch so are back on the water by 2PM.  The paddle to Seagate was uneventful.  We reached Coney Island Lighthouse by 3-3:30. We take shelter behind the last jetty before the turn wound Seagate to plan our approach.  We to get accross to Staten Island and time is of the essentience.  We decidend to make a diagonal run from Norton Point to the Channel marker across from Hoffman. We set out in very close pack formation but as we paddle the group started to break up.  Illene, one of the more experient paddler that is next to me asked if I think we are moving closing to our objective, I fibbed and say I hoped so.  The real answer is no, I don't think we are moving anywhere close to our objective. We are move further aways from we were started but it was not where we want to be.  The wind is still blowing, as it turn out the current is coming out of the harbor. We paddled as hard as we can for 1 hours but all we did was sideway without making progress.  Steve, Illene, and Yum radio to say they are turning back.  This leave me in the very front still believing if I paddled faster just long enough i would make it across, Lori who is also head with me decided to paddle ahead.   I slowed down to let Carlos catched up with me, we decided to radio back that we will try to cross.  We paddled as hard as we can to catch up with Lori but she is way ahead of us and going South and out into the Atlantic instead of heading to our object to the North  toward Staten Island.   20 minutes into paddle, Lori turn back to rejoin us.  It was decided then that we should also head back to where we group up before the attempt crossing.  It was disappointing but i don't have much time to think about it.  It was head paddle crosswise into the current and wind to get back to Coney Island. Like I say we went sideway into the Atlantic and further from where we started but no closer to where we want to be.   Carlos and I joined up with the rest of the group that have wisely turn back 30 minutes early.   Lori for so reason paddle further and further along Coney Island Inlet, going eastward. I was half afraid she is actually going to paddle all the way back to Sebago!   We were quite dejected as we landed and wonder what became of Lori.   It was 4:30PM
After numerous phone called we arrange to be pickup up.   I was freeze after the hard paddling.   My kayak is loaded up  with 50 lbs worth of gear so it was no easy tasked to kayak it 500 feet up the beach.  Of couse by that time every kayaks feel heavy.   While we waited I empty out my boat to make carrying it up the beach to the street easier.   Since Steve call up ahead the with for our rescuers was long.   We get every loaded and headed to Staten Island in three cars.   It was disappointing to not be able to make it across but I learned alot about when to call it quit.  We arrived at Fort Wadworth camp ground as the sun set.   I was so happy to get out of my drysuit at the end of the day.
Since it get darker earlier then in May, dinner is a bit more chaotic.  Steve cooked up leg of lamp, and members from out club brough lot of sausages which were already cooking on a open wood fire by the time I get myself set up.   Dinner of course is delicious as always when once paddle with Steve, the Kayaking Chef.  I hang around the camp fire and chat with the paddlers from other clubs in between playing hide and seek with two 11 years old girls who don't understand the concept of hide.  It was fun.   I went to bed by 9:30PM, all wear out.   Steve and the other paddlers stillup late and as i faded into my slumbers can be head loudly singing drunken camping song.

I wake up at 5:30 on Sunday and can't go back to sleep because it too cold.   Since I do not heard anyone moving around I stay in my sleeping bag till 8AM when I can smell the coffee being brew and people start moving around.   There was already a small woodfire going.  I get a coupleof pieces of breads and half a bagol for breakfast. We wanted to be on the water by 9:30AM, just to give ourself more time to beat the turning of the tide. We don't want to have a repeat of Saturday crossing.  Instead of repacking all my camping stuffs and other gears that I don't need back into my kayak I back them up in a two big drybags and left it to be transport by car back to the club.  It make carrying the boat the 500 feets down to the beach much easier.

On the trip back we have Steve (our fearless leader,who paying for his night of drinking), IlIene, Carlos Yum and myself from the original group that paddle from Sebago; Lisa (a friend of Larry who drop out at Gerritsen Bay) take public transportation over in the morning and is paddle back to the club with US. We picked up two new kayakers on the way back to Brooklyn, Ranger John and his friend who yesterday launched from Marine Parkway Memorial Bridge (where we left off one of our paddler yesterday) and arrive at Staten Island before us because they time the tide correctly.)   So there are 8 of us totals paddle out of Staten Island to Jamaica Bay.  
We were on the water by 9:30 AM and started to heading across the harbor. We decided of a straight crossing to the other side then head for Coney Island. It take 30 minutes to get to where we attempted to cross over the previous evening.  We have wind (still Northwesternly) and current going in our favor this time around.
  
We very quickly work our way along the Coney Island/Brighton Beach coast, make a short stretch break on Manhattan Beach at 11:30 AM. Too early for lunch. I expected that we would stop for lunch when we get to Marine Parkway Memorial Bridge when part way with Ranger John and his friend.   We went under the MPM Bridge at 12:30PM, it was decided that we would head straigh home instead of stopping for lunch. I do not know how I feel a about that, I was looking forward to lunch but everyone else want to get home so we continue.  As we round the seawal at the western side of Floyd Bennet Field we ran to Louis De Marco how lastest paddle with us half way.  He was camping in Floyd Bennett and come out to see us on his out to go fishing.   We parted way with Louis and continue heading west till we make the turn North, that when we feel the full forces of the 10-20 knots wind.  For 8 miles we struggle against the wind to get back to the club. Since current is still in our favor, we can still slowly make progress, at 1-2knots per hour speed.  But much but still forward progress.

 Steve radio-ed as we pass Mill Basin that he have to stop to stretch so Yum landed with him while the rest of us paddle ahead.  Carlos (who was with me yesterday), Lisa (she only paddle on the return trip) was ahead as we make our way back tothe club, I made no attempt to keep up with him.   We ran into the sailors as they race around in front of the bridge leading to our clubhouse, look like they have a good time even in the heavy wind).   I was so happy to see the bridge that go over the little bay where the club is located.  We get to the bridge at 2:30PM but waited for the rest of the group  (less Steve and Yum)to catch up.   We all get back to the club by 3PM.   Everyone agrees that this is a very brutal and challenging trips.  I need more trip like this. Some to quicken the blood.

ACA Camp closing, Oct 10-13 (part 2)

So what  happen on Sunday? I missed my promised breakfast with the Peterson because I sleep on a tent out back beyond Stevie's tentplatform.   Because Peter is still teaching that class on Sunday he left for breakfast earlier then usually.  I get up at 7:30AM, normally this would be early to catched the Peterson before they left for Breakfast at 8:30 -9 o'clock.

Instead breakfast was cook over a wood fire at  my tentplatform, that don't happen oven.  It turn out badly, for some reason my eggs are frozen so it take a while to defrost on the caset iron skellet.  The "sausage patties" taste like flavor cardboard. After my tasteless breakfast, since I still have a good fire going, I decide why waste the fire, might as well get start on lunch since my turkey thigh would take at least 2 hours to cook anyway (more on that later).  I quickly sear the meat and wrap it in aluminum foil and let it cook while I visit Tod and Mia.  I end up eating a second breakfast of coconut pancake with Tod, Mia and their little girl Pearl.   Abby is drop off by her dad as we finish up breakfast.  Abby is a beautify girl, a bit too loud and very energetic.  She have the cutest freckles on her nose.  I left to let to two girls plays.  

Since I took Monday Columbus Day off I really was in no rush to back up my own platform.  So much of Sunday is spend slow organizing my platform, and visiting Stevie and Tod, and playing with Pearl and Abby.
 
Stevie is moving to Tuscon next year so is giving up his tent platform. I will missed having him and his wife Adele at the camp.  Stevie was the main reason I end up sending so much time at the camp to begin with.  I enjoyed hanging out after a hard day of kayaking. We used to have a big cookout at his place every weekend.   He stopped doing that 2 summers ago after he figure he spend too much money on food, even thought we do bring some food to  contribute.   I stilled missed those pass summers when everybody gather at Stevie for meals.  It is an end of an era.  I don't know who I would hang out with now that Stevie (Adele stop coming up to the camp much since she retire) is not going to be there.  I take up sailing to fill the time this year. Next year I will probably be doing more kayaking, and hanging out with the sailors (kidding).   He is giving a way most of the stuffs that he can't bring to Tuscon so i get a couple of stuffs, and help move his BBQ set to Peter's cabin, and Tod moved a very heavy concrete/tiles slab to his place.  Actually Peter's son Cody do most of the work.
Cody grown up to be a tall, muscular boy(man). I think he is 21 now!  I know him since he was 9-10 years old when I used to share Sebago Cabin with the whole family.  I don't seem him much any more the last couple of years. That is to be expected of course.  I always have problem recognizing him when I see him these day. I mistake him for his older brother when i first see him this weekend.  Since we have a  strong young man around we decided to have him movie all the heavy stuff, like a 300 lbs rocks that Tod no long wanted to my  platform.  I would never be able to move it.  We flipped it into a wheelbarrow.  Cody pushed the wheelbarrow while i keep the wheelbarrow from flipping over.  It was hard work to move it up the foot trail uphill from Tod's plagtform to the pave road going up hill, then down hill to the unpaved foot path to my platform then over a couple of steps to where I want it to be.  Cody do it all with enthusiasm and energy.

Some where between all these moving of heavy object and "packing" i manage to get one last sail in, I have to move the sailboat from my side of the lake to the other side where it belong.  It was windy 5-10 mph winds with some gust.  I only have 2 instants where I was close to capsizing, I managed to recover by adjusting my sail instead of have to jump to the opposite gunnel to prevent a capsize, get improvement from the beginning of the season.  It was fun now I learned to control the sail to get where I want to be instead of manhandling the boat with my paddle as a rudder. My sailing skills improved enough that I  am comfortable sailing around Peter and his kayaking class after doing on loop around the lake.    I don't want to push my luck and its consecutive three years that I capsized on my last sail of the season.   I docks and get the boat ready to be put up on the newly position boat rack but found at that the boat don't fit in the newly resized space.  It have to be modify. At first I thought I can do it myself, but decide on of the other sailboat on the rack have to be move in order for me to make the modification.  Cody come to the rescue and we modify the rack and put put back both boats in less then half an hour.

After the sailboat is put away, i don't have much to do except wonder around and bother other people who are busy packing up.  Stop by Tod and play with Pearl and Abby.   They set up a "house" among the large boulder by Tod's platform.  Each boulders is a separate room and I am invite for dinner as Aunt Julie, who the girls keep on trying the push off the cliff or poison.  Good thing I always have multi-spectrum antidotes with me!  I finally have enough of being poisons and get back to the job at hand, taking down my tent platform tarp roof.   The problem is I am staying till Monday so I don't want to take the roof down early. But i also have Cody around on Sunday so if I want his help I would have to do it on Sunday.   It was 5 PM when I finally decided to take the tarp down.  We don't have to be gentle with it since I have to get a new one for next year.  Cody help with the side facing the lake where the roof is 20 feet off the ground.  We get a ladder on top of a picnic table. He is about 6 feets with the ladder on the picnic table he can reach all the ropes I tied.   In less then 30 minutes we get the tarp off, It would have taken me hours.   I slipped Cody $40 for his help.  Worth every penny.

Back to that turkey tight I have cooking since morning.  While we were taking the tarp down I remember the turkey thigh left cooking after breakfast.   It is very well cook and apparent a bit of it get chew by a wild animal at the end.   I cut off that end and have that for dinner.   Very tender.
Since I am staying till Monday afternoon, or late evening on Monday I don't want to turn off the fridge till Monday, same thing for my big tents.  Those are the two biggest thing I need to do and those don't have to be done till Monday.   Hang out with Pearl and Abby for a while till it start to get dark,  have stevie and his hiking friends over by the fires for a couple of hours.  It was a good way to end Sunday.

Monday I went Breakfast with the Peterson.   I was tempted to forgo breakfast and hang out with Mia and Pearl before the leave but decided that me be to intrusive (Tod left earlier in the Morning in separate car).   We almost literal ran into Mia and Pearl as we come back to camp.   Stevie and Adele went home early in the morning as they usually do so I don't have anyone to distract me from doing what the weekend was supposed to be for, closing down for the winter.

I talked to two ladies North Brooklyn Kayak Club, they need a ride to the train station so we decided on 1:30 PM as departure time. Give me a deadline so I don't procrastinate.   I get everything all pack up and move where they need to be by 1PM.   I decided that there is no reason to drop the ladies for NBYC off at the train station to take the train to the city then subway to Brooklyn when I am driving to Brooklyn anyway so over them a ride to the City.   We make too time till we hit the FDR/Triboro bridge exit.  Since the two girls live near the Triboro, I decided to take the Triboro and get out of  FDR Parkway traffic.   I drop them off right off the  Pulaski Bridge. The hardest part is finding my way to Sebago in south Brooklyn. My GPS take me through the local road the whole way.  It wasn't bad traffic wise but I am never comfortable driving through some of these neighborhood.   Get they by 3PM and get help with the boat so all in all a good ending for the weekend.

2015 ACA Camp Season Come to and End

Last weekend is the last weekend at ACA camp for the year.   I took Columbus Day off from work to make it a long weekend. Originally I planned to take Friday off but changed to Monday in hope of spending more time with my friends at the lake before take down the tarp and the cabin tent for the season.  It work out well.  Let started with Friday night.

It was raining in the evening when I get home from work.  I decided not to drive to the lake on Friday, and come drive up early on Saturday.  The weather report say the rain should clear by 8:30 - 9 PM but it make do sense to drive up just to go to bed. No point in going up if I can't get a fire going.   I was in the middle of pickling my lime for the winter and cooking dinner when I get a called from Tiffany, my friend Peter Peterson's daughter at  7:30PM.  Peter get on the fun and tell me he have an emergency.  Peter, Linda and Tiffany were driving up to the camp when their car break down in the Lincoln Tunnel and is now waiting for a tow, and if I can come and pick them up.   There was no question of saying no.  I need some time to clean up my half cook dinner and pack my food.   I get out of the house  by 7:40.   The drive on the FDR and across the Battery Tunnel was fast, I was across the river to Manhattan by 8:10, then hit traffic.  It seem not none of the light on the West Side "Highway". I putted higway in quote because you can't call something a highway when it have traffic light. I take my 20 minutes to drive to the exit for the Lincoln Tunnel.  I find out what the problem is when I get to 40th street.  The two traffic polices give up on directing traffic as the crucial crossing and let cars block the intersection so when the light turn green no one can move. I hope those two traffic officials go to hell when they die. Its another 20 minutes on the ramp to the tunnel and a slow 5 mph drive across the tunnel. Pete called me while I am stuck in the slow crawl to the tunnel. I was informed that the tow truck drive is nice enough to drive them off at t gas station off the first exit getting out of the tunnel to Hoboken, just stay to the right and the gas station is on the left.

There was only one tunnel open, going both direction. When I get out I see the exit for Hoboken exit right away but I am 5 lanes over and the exit is 200 feet right off the tunnel.  By the time I make it over 4 lanes I missed the exit.  I get off the next available exit and call Pete for the address.  I putted the address into my GPS and quickly meet up with Pete, he was waiting out at the corner.  I parked while Linda get some coffee. My car is dead when Pete try to start it, lucky I brought the battery jumper with me.  We boosted the car, loaded up their supplies and headed to camp.  We stopped by the Pete's favorite restaurant Rhode's for dinner.  Pete bough my dinner. I appreciated that.   We get into camp at 11:30. Nothing to do but unload, brush my tooth and hit the sack.

Wake up on Saturday and realize there nothing for met do on the tent platform since I need everything till at least Sunday evening.  I did organize some stuffs.  I already take some stuffs back home last weekend so this weekend its mostly the can foods and whatever is in the fridge, all of which and by back in 30 minutes.  I don't want to turn off the fridge till Monday morning.  Taking the tarp off and taking down the tent  have to be done on Monday because I am still using it.

Peter is teaching a kayaking class on this weekend and he need some help.    Saturday morning was cold so Peter get all the on land stuff done before they get on the water.  He have 6 students so he can handle the class by himself but an extra instructor would be handy.  I let the group get in to water before I joined them. Pete tended to talk a lot so I like to missed that part.   I join them for the rest of the day.  It always surprise my how much I enjoy teaching.

Tod and his daughter Pearl come out in their canoe to visit us on the water while we instructed. I have to be on my toe with Tod on the water.  He always keep you on alert for a capsize.  I was waiting for them to show up.  I enjoy hanging out with them.  Pearl is a very affectionate girl and like to cuddle.  I love a good cuddle.

Since I was instruction for a bit I get to eat dinner with the students.  Free dinner is always good.  After the class I hang out with my other friend Stevie. He talked my into buying hammock and tarp.  He help me set it up behind his tent platform to try it out and teach me how to tie up the tarp. I did not take pictures.  After I set up the hammock and try it out I went back to my place and started a fire. I get a good bonfire going by 6PM.  I love a fire when I can get a fire going. Stevie and his hiking friends over to enjoy the fire.

There is also a fireside gathering at the camp only tenting camp site.  I stopped by to say hi to everybody but prefer to be in smaller group by my fire.   At 9 PM I decided to call it a day and crawl into my hammock for the night.  I was out before I know it, which is surprising since the party is stay going strong near by.  I wanted to be asleep before Stevie go to bed because he snore.

I get up at 2 or 3 AM to go relief myself.  I did not sleep as soundly as I did before I get up.  I wake up at 7:30AM. I promised to go to breakfast with the Peterson.  Stevie told me that the Peterson already left.  Oh well.  I need sometime with my other favorite family anyway!  I stopped by to say hi to Tod and Pearl.  Mia, Tod's wife come up late last night  and is out in front of their tent platform tending to their fire with their neighbor, Beth.  Tod is inside cookin gup coconut pancake.  I loved coconut.  Tod wanted to go on the water so I told him to use my boat since I want to work on my tent platform and going sailing.  While we were hanging out having breakfast Pearl camp friend come by, Abby.   Abby is a lovely girl about Pearl age.  She is full of entry and pretty as a button.  He father is dropping her off to pay with Pearl while he go to work.   I have two cute girls to keep me distracted.

end of part 1 of 2015 Camp Closing

Season Prep

I drove up to ACA camp early on Saturday, May 16.    Left my house at 7:30AM, arrive at camp gate a bit before 9AM.  It  my weekend to do Host and Sanitation as part of my facility leaseholder agreement.  While I was driving down Seven Lake Drive, I saw Linda's van drove by in the oppositioon direction.  They were going out for lunch, I was tempted to follow them but  I wanted to get my duties over with before everyone show up.  

I was done cleaning both bathrooms before Linda and gangs come back.  The gang is Linda (camp director), her husband Pete, her daughter Tiffany and surprice of surprise Stevie.  Stevie never go to breakfast witth us.  Regretably I have to miss the breakfast.  It was too expensive for me to have breakfast twice in  a weekend anyway ( average cost is $12 to $13) way out of my exceptable price range for breakfast.  Once  a weekend on Sunday is more then I can afford as it was.  I have to cut but but have not find a way to say no to our sunday breakfast routine.   I finished sweeping the Pavalion, and strengthen out the meeting room while everyone else let their breakfast setttle.  Spend a couple fo minutes finishing up my own breakfast of Oakmeal.     When I finished I go around and see if anyone want to go paddling.    Stevie and Pete joined me on the water by 10AM, which is quite an accomplishment.   We made a slow loop of the lake clockwise.   When we get back I set up my sailing canoe and take it out for a spin.

I join Stevie for Lunch at his place, and watch as Tod and his family drive in.  I love spending time with Tod and his wife Mia and daughter Pearl.  Pearl is a sweet little girl of eight who like to climb alll over me.  I don't mind one bit.  

Some time after, while I was talking with Linda  Mia come up and asked for a drill bit.  I used that as a opening to stop by and visit.  Tod need the drill bit to hang up a swing chair.  I never see anything like it.  It was hang just  a bit too high. I was talking to Mia while Tod was doing this.  Tiffany show up also.  We were playing around trying out the new swing chair.  Pearl of course have to be on everyone laps.  She is use a cute little thing.  At the risk of overstaying my welcome I left with Tiffany when she left.   I try my hand at sailing again.   There was no wind at all in the afternoon.  I was slow drifting in the canoe in the light breeze when I heard thunder.  I paddle my sailing canoe back to shore.   The rest of the afternoon just by by in a blur.    Before I know it it was dinner, more of our paddling friends drive in so we hang out at their rental cabin till time of dessert "potluck".   I joined after I finished my dinner. Spend the evening playing witty Pearl and her lighted balloons.   I stayed too late and get catch in the pavalion, one thousand feets from my tent platform, I waited for a while then make a run for it.  I didn't get too wet.  Spend half an hour watching water leak through hole on my tarp roof then go to bed by 9PM. 

Sunday started with Breakfast with the Peterson, and two of our friends.  Get back to camp by 9AM, inspected the bathroom and the pavalion to make sure nothing need to be taken care of.   We have one big project to need to be done this weekend before Memorial day,  The job is towing out the two swimming platforms and positionin it witth anchors.  I just get thing organize, Pete direct all the work.   I was tire by 12:30PM from towing and pushing the swimming platforms so I stop by the swim dock and play around witth the kids.  I left to have lunch a bit after one when everyone is satisfy that the swim platforms are as good as they are going to be.  After lunch I visited Stevie who had two of my friends with him, along witth Linda and Pete.  The conversations turn to camp politic so I left and go visit Tod, Mia and Pearl which had a tent platform down hill from Stevie.  Tod was not there so I hang out with Mia and Pearl.  I sit on the swing chair and Pearl was on my lap tthe whole time.  I think Mia was beginning to get upcomfortable with Pearl sitting and swarming on my lap.  I take the opportunity to get Pearl off my laps when Mia offer to show me  video she is working on for her daughter school.  I left before I over stay my welcome, if I haven't already,   

Take the sailing canoe out again.  Time time there are more wind.  It was fun but I still need to handle the tack, keeping on going into iron.   I get badly sunburn as usual.   Good news is I have more time in the sailing canoe this two weekend tthen have all of last summer.  I want to get better at this sailing thing.   After sailing I went for my first swim of the season in my wetsuit.   I have never gone swimmingg before July before.  The wetsuit work wonder.   I suntan a bit with Tiffany till a Miltipee get to friendly with her and that was it for suntanning on the dock. It was 5PM by the time I get out of my wetssuit.  Visit Pearl again, just as they come back from their paddle.  Tiffany and Linda stop by with left over hotdogs to feed the turtle so we went down the the dock by Todd's platform.  No turtle though,  stick around talking to Mia while she cooked dinner then say my good bye.  Went back to my place and cook my own dinner.    I pack up and drive back to Brooklyn at 7:40PM, get home by 9:30 PM so it was about average travel time for the trip back to the City.  

Urban Kayak Camping

Done something I always want to do, combining kayaking and camping.  My two favorities outdoor activites.

Steve H, one of Sebago member come up with the idea of kayaking to Staten Island, camp overnight and kayak back on Sunday.   One of his friend who also kayak is a park ranger at the back in Staten Island and they want to do some promotional for the camping facilities in the park.  I have see the park everytime I drive over the Varrazono Bridge, and even been inside when I ran the marathon but don't know that there is a camping ground in the fort.   

I wasn't sure that I would be able to make the kayak on Friday night but I packed up everything I need and drive to Sebago clubhouse.   Luckily I check my email in the morning because instead of 10AM launch time, the launch time was moved to 9 AM.   I get there a 8 AM, and take all of the 1 hour to pack all my camping equitp in my Tahe Marine, a very small boat with little cargo room.   I was surprice I still have room left when I crampted the last item in the boat.  We launched at 9 AM.  There were 19 kayakers in all.   The paddle was very relaxing from the clubhouse till Marine Memorial Bridge.   Most of the kayaker get out on the beach before the bridge, I did not get out.   We  continue from there to Coney Island.  We get around Coney Island by 1 PM.   We land at a little beach after Seagate for lunch.   The beach is right across from my apartment where I live for 15 year and never know about.  I heard there a boat launch there.  I have to launch from there next time.  We have lunch and wait till the tide turn.  Unfortunately while we wait the winds pick up and started to whip up the waves a bit.  We started out after lunch to cross the Narrow right before the Varazono bridge.  There was a bit of large boats traffics so  getting across was tricky.  Luckily we have a couple of kayakers with experience with paddle the Hudson.  The cross was the trickiest part of the day paddle.   It was challenging even for me.  Take us a good 1hour to make the 2 mile crossing.  We have a welcome committees waiting for us and direct us in through the 1 foot surf.  We all make it without anyone capsizing.  

Tod and his daughter Pearl is there.  I was not expecting her to be there. I love spending time with Pearl.   Todd is also fun to hang out with.  

The last part of the kayak complete drain my energy.  Unfortunately we have to carry our boats 1000 feets off the beach, and up a hill.  I carrry my boat with the help of another kayaker up to the camping area, and come back down to help carrie on other boat up and I was done.  We were all off the beach by 5PM.  

The camping area is very spacious.  I pick an area with a good fire pit and relative closed to Tod and Pearl.   It take me less then 15 minutes to set up my tent.  The tent area have real restroom and a hot shower.  By the time I get to the show there is no more hot water, at least I have fresh water to clean up.   I spend time hanging out witth Pearl.  She  is a very playful little girl.