Sunday Row, 8/30 - additional pictures

I didn't hear about the Sunday AM row, so.......

I went out by myself. Relatively short row at 5 PM. There were white caps on top of the swells which made for a great row. I especially like it when the sea comes from the stern. Sometimes the large waves make the bow torpedo into a swell, almost stopping the boat. About half the scull disappears under water, then a little shudder and the boat pops out of the water. On the way in the wind and waves died so the conditions settles at about 2 feet waves.

Clocked a 4.5 miles row. Not too far, but very needed since I did not get out a lot last week.

Sunday Row 8-30-09

The hearty souls in this photo (Paul, Carmi, Stephanie, Sara, Eileen, Thomas and Jay) took off at a good clip to Misery this morning, arrriving to plain muffins and water for breakfast, provided by Jay in the best tradition of Marblehead seamen. Spirits ran much higher than the seas as onditions were good over and back and the clouds helped to keep boat traffic to a minimum. Thomas took the long route-- ten miles -- by rounding Misery twice while the rest of us rowed closer to eight. Sara and Eileen did beautifully, clearly defying the titles of Newbees or even novices. There were rumblings about putting a Rock N Row racing team together for one of the Northeast's head races (Housatonic, Green Mountain or Charles, for examples). We figured Jack needs a new clothing design project and the Viking can build a trophy case when he gets his heart rate below 150. In the meantime, all the superlatives about the joys of rowing around our blessed islands held true today. We all returned safe and sound and with that mysterious exhiliration that comes from being at one with the ocean.

Easy days in Barnstable

Before being pushed away from Provincetown by Hurrican Bill, and while services for Eunice Kennedy Shriver were happening only a fw miles away, Carmi and I with kids, cousins and siblings retreated to a little known gem of a place off of Barnstable. It is a protected five mile long and mile wide harbor that is shallow and too tidal for most motorized and keel boats. But for rowers it is perfect. We rent a place that overlooks it with a boat shed ideal for our shells and random kayaks. You live in tee shirts and bathing suits, letting the tides decide the priorities of the day. Next year we will try to organize a row in with R & R's new trailer that will be able to haul six or eight shells (any other board members listening?). Because the water is usually flat, it is a grand week to work on form --all the things that Emily listed so well when she wrote of taking out the Ace. So, with Carmi in her Aero and me in my Empacher, someone snapped the photo here of us heading out in the morning. Nice water, eh?

RIGHT DAY...RIGHT SPORT

Good Morning
Eileen and I went out this morning at the first hint of light. The sky had color but the sun was not yet up. There were more swells and chop than normal for that hour. We headed around Children's Island and there were similar conditions to Sunday around the rocky point. The temperature was perfect and we got to be out there at the most beautiful time of day. This is just to let the rest of you know that there is great rowing before 7 AM.

Sarah

RIGHT DAY...WRONG SPORT?

It was a mill pond type of morning. Could the water be any flatter as I departed from the dock off Anchorage Lane? Haze was lifting off the Beverly side of the bay as the sun began to peak over the horizen behind Misery. The oars dipped silently as I made my way into Salem Sound.
It looked like a perfect setting for rising fish. Low light, flat seas and 2 hours into a falling tide.

I was not disappointed when bait fish soon started busting around the middle islands. Sea birds with keen eyes flocked from all directions and soon a blitz was in action. This scene repeated itself over and over again during the hour+ of my row. Ended up doing around 6.5 miles but I was left with a tugging sensation. Did I pick the wrong sport this morning? No worries. My next step is to rig a couple of fly rods and get back to the action tomorrow.

E-mail from Sarah

We certainly did have a fun row on Saturday with perfect weather and water conditions.

I joined the 8:00 row this morning (I got to sleep in) and the water was very different. It was a good size group today with Jack, Stan, Sheila, Jon, Emily, Eileen and me. Thanks to Eileen, for rowing with me, I made it around Children's Island with all of the 'wild' waters. It certainly is different than the typical calm conditions at 6:00 AM. It was a challenge for me, but it was fun.
Sarah