Isle of Shoals sea kayak day trip.

Isle of Shoals - August 2, 2008 (Maine/New Hampshire)
Chart August 2nd, the real Independence Day in America. If you ask Americans why they celebrate July 4th they will nearly all tell you it was the day the Declaration of Independence was signed - not correct.
The National Congress met on the 4th July and voted on adopting the Declaration, but it wasn't signed by anybody then. And in fact some of the delegates who did vote for it then changed their mind later on and did not end up signing it at all. It was officially signed (after going to the printers) on August 2nd. Nothing to do with sea kayaing, just thought you'd be interested.

Another trip with the Southern Maine group. This trip was to start at Rye Harbour just south of Portsmouth in New Hampshire, and paddle 6 miles off shore to the Isle of Shoals - a group of 4 big islands, and 8 or 9 smaller ones. There was the suggestion that we could have refreshments at Saunders Restaurant (Rye Harbour) after the trip.

I arrived early and paid my $10 to launch from the boatramp, and to park all day. When Bob and the others arrived and heard the price they balked, and then the harbour master told them about a free beach just out along the shoreline of the harbour - so they all went there to launch. The forecast was for very light SE winds, maybe marginally fresher in the afternoon, with the chance of thunderstorms. Visibility 1 nm. What we actually got was a very light NNE wind (not enough to sail with) which did increase marginally at lunch time. No storms or rain till after I was back in Wolfeboro about 6pm.

4 ladies and four blokes turned up to paddle, and out we went into the fog and an hour later could just start to see the islands. The numerous ferries and other pleasure boats created the odd wave now and then - but it was basically fairly flat. There was a strong current flowing from north to south, and was still flowing in that direction in the afternoon - it didn't seem to have any relation to high and low water. See here for current info.

Star Island is a big conference centre using very old buildings, but when we got there we were told we couldn't land as there was no conference going on, and therefore no real amount of staff to open up the various kiosks etc.. So we went across to Smutty Nose Island and had lunch there. A couple of families had just arrived to spend a few days on the island. It had taken us about 2 hours to paddle out here, and maybe a bit quicker going home. We checked out a house built over the water on Appledore Island, and then were off into the light fog again. I could use the sail now, but only just - still very light wind. Chased after a whale part way back, but only got a distant view before it dived and I didn't see it surface again.

The other 7 landed on their beach and I landed at the boat ramp, and after getting into dry clothes and loading the vehicle I drove the 100 metres to the Saunders Restaurant and ordered a beer. From here I could see the others across the other side of the harbour, loading the kayaks onto their vehicles. I thought they'd only be a few minutes. 12 beers and 3 hours later I was beginning to get the feeling that perhaps they weren't coming after all, so headed off home back to Wolfeboro.

The boat ramp at Rye Harbour.