[Paddlewise] this nutty world

I don't know how many of you visit rec.boats.paddle regularly but the
following message was on there with some responses.  Very strange. 
Never kayaked, planning to buy a boat at LL Bean and paddle to Nova
Scotia from that small stretch of New Hampshire that is on the coast AT
THIS TIME OF YEAR!

The r.b.p. responses pulled his leg with suggestions such as fishing
gear being overrated and to bring depth charges instead, etc.  I tend to
think it is somebody's idea of a joke...but you never know.

Over the last few years, I have run across about a a half dozen people
who have called me in very serious tones regarding getting a folding
kayak for some extreme conditions trip.  They've been bitten by the hype
surrounding sea kayaking, looked at a map to pinpoint some wild trip (a
la the guy in the posting below), decided on getting a folding kayak to
ease access to their put-in spot in some remote corner of the globe. 
Then they start asking questions such as this guy but saying they are
strong and fit.

The latest posting from the fellow says he is postponing the trip.

what a world!

ralph diaz

BEGIN RBP POSTING----
Kayaking from New Hampshire to Nova Scotia, Sunday 
                                                         
 
Author:  
           rgreen1234
Email:
            rgreen1234_at_my-dejanews.com
Date:
            1998/12/22
Forums:
            rec.boats.paddle 
                                                      
                                                                   
I'm planning on doing this.  I'm going to pick up a kayak at L.L.Bean in
Freeport, ME on Saturday;  Then I'll drive down to Portsmith, NH and put
in
first thing Sunday morning.  I will call AAA and tell them my car is
broken
down and have them tow it back to Boston where I live.  I've never
kayaked
before but I'm a strong paddler; any guesses of how long it will take me
to
get up there?  Anyone done some or all of this coastline in a kayak or
otherwise?  Are there portions of coastline above Bar Harbor that are
completely uninhabited? If so, how long can I expect to go without
seeing
civilization and people?  If I want to stay at a motel from time to
time, do
you think I'll be able to dock or hide the kayak somewhere safe?  I'm
going
to pick up a book on kayaking techniques at L.L. Bean as well.  Do you
think
it would be worth it to get a wet suit so I can practice Eskimo Rolls in
the
frigid Maine waters before I get into any real danger?  I tend to sleep
pretty late, so do you think kayaking at night is safe for times when I
need
to make up some lost time?  Do any of the ferries from the Maine coast
to
Nova Scotia run in the winter in case I get tired?  On foggy and stormy
days,
is it usually best to wait it out in the tent, or is it reasonably safe
if I
hug close to shore in bad weather?  I'm a pretty good fisherman, but do
you
think I should rely on this to some extent or should I always carry
enough
food for bad fishing?  Will I have any trouble crossing the Canadian
border? 
I plan on doing some hunting in northern Maine, will they let me take my
30.06 across the Canadian border or will I have to sell it? Can I expect
to
see any ice on the water as winter advances and I move North? Ideally
I'd
like to bring my cross country skis, my snowboard, and my climbing
gear;  Do
you think this is realistic along with all the other more essential
items I
will need?  Can I expect any trouble from the law or the coast guard or
other
authorities?  I head Nova Scotia is beautiful, I can't wait to see it. 
Has
anyone else ever done this?
---END RBP POSTING

-- 
-----------------------------------------------------------------------
Ralph Diaz . . . Folding Kayaker newsletter
PO Box 0754, New York, NY 10024
Tel: 212-724-5069; E-mail: rdiaz_at_ix.netcom.com
"Where's your sea kayak?"----"It's in the bag."
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