Cool fog in the air early in the morning when we woke up and gathered on the beach for a group stretch. Several in the group really jump started their day by venturing into the ocean for a quick dip. Chilly to say the least! Ate early morning breakfast of blueberry pancakes and sausage, and put kayaks in early to take advantage of calm morning winds. Later in the day, the wind was supposed to pick up and turn so that waves and wind would be heading diagonally across the direction we were paddling. We planned accordingly and mapped our course carefully; we had a pretty good open water crossing to get to the ledges and rock headlands where we were going to explore tide pools, observe some rafts of eider ducklings, and visit the site of a native American shell midden to get an idea of what attracted early native Americans to the site. Camp for that night at that spot. Wind cooperated and warm morning sun quickly burned off morning fog to reveal a stunning scenery of vivid blue water/sky horizon dotted with downeast islands. Lazy two-foot swell coming in from the ocean. Perfect paddling conditions!
Tricky technical approach to cove landing. Hair-pin around ledges timed just right with the swells, and single kayak landing. Guides stationed at each critical point. Great views on bluff to left of landing point. Quick snack, then two hours of climbing and hiking to tidal ledges and coves – other than the narrow trail, the place feels like we’re the first to see it. Great closeup views of rafts of eider ducklings and guides told us great stories of this tough sea duck. Ate lunch below high tide line.
After lunch, hiked to, and explored prehistoric shell midden site, used by Native Americans in pre-European days. Practiced picking them out of the landscape, then exploring and digging small pits to verify. One person actually discovered part of a stone tool. Made sure we left no evidence of our visit.
Hiked back to kayaks for short paddle to evening camp site.
Ate “Maine Shore dinner” of clams and lobsters. Our guide Bob told us great stories about the Maine lobster industry….the extremely high harvests in recent years and the interest over how and why these harvests can be kept up at the levels they’re at these days. After, we were visited by an authentic Maine storyteller and got some “local flavor”. Laughed till it hurt.
Cool fog in the air early in the morning when we woke up and gathered on the beach for a group stretch. Several in the group really jump started their day by venturing into the ocean for a quick dip. Chilly to say the least! Ate early morning breakfast of blueberry pancakes and sausage, and put kayaks in early to take advantage of calm morning winds. Later in the day, the wind was supposed to pick up and turn so that waves and wind would be heading diagonally across the direction we were paddling. We planned accordingly and mapped our course carefully; we had a pretty good open water crossing to get to the ledges and rock headlands where we were going to explore tide pools, observe some rafts of eider ducklings, and visit the site of a native American shell midden to get an idea of what attracted early native Americans to the site. Camp for that night at that spot. Wind cooperated and warm morning sun quickly burned off morning fog to reveal a stunning scenery of vivid blue water/sky horizon dotted with downeast islands. Lazy two-foot swell coming in from the ocean. Perfect paddling conditions!
